The same federal judge doesn't reject the Trump administration’s bid to stop the state from giving people driver's licenses without having them prove they are in the country legally.

You're driving within the boundaries of New York State.

And you inadvertently are involved in a motor vehicle accident with an undocumented immigrant with no driver's license -- and no auto liability insurance. (Because you can't get car insurance without a driver's license and registration.) And this immigrant is borrowing someone else's car or is driving an unregistered vehicle. You get the idea.

Your car is damaged or totaled. You're hospitalized for minor injuries -- or severe disability.

And maybe the driver of the other vehicle fled (hit-and-run) before the police arrive. Even if the other driver stayed at the sight of the accident, you're screwed. They have no insurance, perhaps own nothing of value. Hell, you may not be able to get an accurate identity of the other driver.

And there would be lots of these drivers on the road. The courts would be flooded (best case scenario) or a multitude of hapless drivers would be disabled and/or bankrupt.

If the judge had ruled in favor of the Trump DOJ.

My drivers insurance covers me (including injuries and damage to vehicle) if I'm involved in an accident with an uninsured driver. Whether they have a license or US passport is irrelevant - they are uninsured and my expenses are covered by my own insurance no-fault policy.

I thought New York drivers had the same type of coverage, but maybe not....

But I believe you have to pay extra for that. I have both the "uninsured" and "underinsured" driver add-ons, which means my car insurance is fairly exorbitant, even on my now-11 year old car.

Remember when Bob Casey was governor? It was passed in the early-mid 90's. That's why we call it "no-fault" insurance, he's the one who made it happen. It has probably been revised in the last several years though.

(my biannual renewal comes up next month)

The "Base" coverage is probably the same but I think what "no fault" means is that each driver's insurance takes care of their own expenses (so no court thing). But the amount you are reimbursed for will vary depending on how the accident happened and how much coverage you pay for and/or opt out of.

Here is the statute - https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/75/00.017.031.000..HTM

And specifically -

That seems pretty important for safety.