Car Accidents in New York City
What to do after a Car Accident
The New York City Law Office of John O'Gara, Esq., P.C., provides a list of things that should be done, if possible, following a car accident in New York City when a person is injured.
In this article, learn about important steps to take, such as:
- Do not leave the scene
- Call 911 and get to a safe place
- Check for injured victims
- Get a police report
- Exchange information
- Take photos
- Document witnesses
- Notify your insurance company
- Document medical treatments
- Assess properly damage
- Only speak to your own insurance company
- Consult with an attorney before signing anything
Do not leave the scene: If you leave the scene of an auto accident, particularly when someone has sustained injuries or was killed, you can face serious criminal penalties as a hit-and-run driver. Call and wait for the police and medical personnel.
Call 911 and get to a safe place: Following an auto accident, call or have someone else call 911. If your accident occurs on a dangerous roadway, move to a safe area while waiting for the police or ambulance. Safety should be your main priority.
Check for injured victims: If you are able, check others involved in the accident to make sure everyone is safe. Do not move a person who is unconscious or complaining of neck or back pain. Wait for medical personnel arrive. If a person is in a dangerous situation, threatened by fire or fumes, you may need to move the person to prevent further injuries. Be sure to move the injured slowly while supporting the neck and back.
Get a police report: In a car accident involving property damage, injury, or death, you must call the police. They will file a formal police report. Write down the names and badge numbers of responding police officers. Depending on where you have your accident, this may be important information needed to retrieve the police report. Most insurance companies require a police report to file a claim. Your attorney will also want this information.
Exchange information: Get the names, phone numbers, addresses, drivers license numbers, license plate numbers and insurance information of all drivers involved in the accident. Also, obtain the names, telephone numbers, and addresses of passengers involved in the accident.
Take photos: Most people now carry a cell phone with a built in camera. If you have no other camera, use your phone. Include the location of vehicles in relation to each other and damage to vehicles involved. Where practical, take pictures of skid marks and any other evidence as to what happened and why. Back up and take a few photos of the entire area including traffic lights, signs, sidewalks, etc. Take photos of injuries at the scene and later as you heal. Photos are great evidence if your lawyer needs to build a case for you later on.
Document witnesses: If possible get the names, phone numbers, and addresses of witnesses. Write down whatever observations regarding the accident they share with you. An independent eyewitness can be invaluable in proving the cause of an auto accident.
Notify your insurance company: Call your insurance company as soon as possible. Most have a rule that you must notify them of an accident within 48 hours. If you are unable to contact your insurance company, ask someone to do it for you. You will need to provide information regarding the location (including municipality), the contact and insurance information of other drivers, and possibly responding police officers' names and badge numbers.
Document medical treatments: Write down the medical treatments you receive after the accident. Keep a diary of dates, doctors' names, treatments received, medication prescribed, visits to clinics, hospitals, testing facilities, and physical rehabilitation. File your receipts and all written materials provided by health care professionals. This will help you keep track of expenses for your insurer, your attorney, and the court if you must resort to legal action to receive proper compensation.
Assess property damage: Try to get two estimates of the damage done to your car. Many insurance companies have lists of preferred auto body shops to ensure you have access to reputable companies. Read estimates carefully to make sure the auto body shop is not cutting corners and specifying sub-quality parts to fix your car.
Only speak to your own insurance company: If you have suffered injuries in a car accident in New York City, you may be contacted by the insurance company for the other driver. While you should always cooperate with your own insurance company, you are under no obligation to speak with the insurance company of the other driver, including their representatives or investigators.
Consult with an attorney before signing anything: Insurance adjusters are not your friends. They are paid by their employers to give you the least possible amount of money to compensate you for medical treatment. If you have suffered a significant injury, do not sign any paper without first getting legal advice.
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident involving injuries is difficult. By staying calm and taking a few steps like seeking timely medical attention, filing a police report, documenting the car accident, and identifying witnesses, you can alleviate future complications if legal action is required.
