What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident in New York

Car accidents are scary and traumatic experiences, even for people who are involved but do not get injured. When car accidents happen, a lot of moving parts go into play very quickly, and it can be confusing to know what to do in that kind of situation.

The most important immediate concern after a car accident is to make sure you yourself are okay. That means focusing on getting the medical attention you need and having first responders tend to your injuries. Once that is taken care of, you can go about collecting as much information about the accident as possible. This can tremendously help your case if you choose to file a car accident lawsuit.

For help with your case, call The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083 to get a free analysis of your situation from our New York car accident Lawyers.

Who to Call First After a New York City Car Accident

The first call you should make after a car accident in NYC should be to 911. That way, police officers and medical professionals can quickly arrive at the scene and take the necessary steps. As a general rule, NYC victims should never speak to an insurance company without a lawyer by their side, even if it is their own provider. Once you hire a lawyer, your attorney can help you access other evidence and build a case against a negligent driver.

Steps to Take Immediately After a Car Accident in New York

There are things you need to do right after a car accident, primarily to make sure you are safe and get the care and attention you need. However, some things can also help if you wish to pursue a car accident lawsuit later down the line. Below is a list of things our Bronx car accident lawyers have determined to be very helpful right after a car accident happens.

Get Medical Attention

The first and most important thing you need to do right after a car accident is to get medical attention. Getting the care you need should be your first priority. Let any first responders and medical personnel who come to the scene of the accident tend to you and follow all of their instructions. If you are going to be taken to the hospital, that is what you should do. If, after medical professionals have examined you, you are able to stay at the accident, you should proceed to do the other things outlined below.

If possible, it may be a good idea to assist anyone else who is injured by the accident. Of course, defer to medical professionals and let them do their job, but helping to stem bleeding or assisting in other ways before medical professionals arrive can save lives.

Make Sure 911 is Called

Another important step is to make sure that someone has called emergency services to get to the accident. If you are capable of doing so and nobody else has taken the initiative, dial 911 and tell them all the details you can about the accident.

If the accident takes place on public transportation, it may be the driver’s responsibility to dial 911. However, the accident may have incapacitated them, or they may otherwise be unable to make the call. In those circumstances, you may have to call emergency services yourself. Alternatively, you could try and delegate someone else to dial 911. In emergency situations, people tend to react faster when specifically told to do something. For example, picking someone out of a crowd and telling them, “Call an ambulance,” is more effective than saying, “Will anyone call an ambulance?”

Collect Information About the Accident

If you are able to stay near the accident, the next step is to collect as much information as you can about it. The most important information to obtain is the name, insurance information, and license plate number of any drivers involved in the accident. In an ideal scenario, you are able to get all of this information and more. However, lots of things can happen that may prevent you from getting all of this content. For example, if another driver is being taken to the emergency room, you probably won’t be able to get their name and insurance right away, but you may be able to get their license plate number. Alternatively, if another vehicle is so thoroughly destroyed that it is not recognizable, the license plate may not be obtainable.

Other important information to obtain includes the names of any witnesses, where the accident took place, the time of day, and the make and model of the vehicle that hit you. No detail or piece of information is too small or frivolous to potentially be useful in building your case.

Talk to Police

While you are at the scene of the accident, it is important to give your side of the story to the responding police officer. When they take your statement, there will be a record of what you say that can be used to help bolster your case later down the line. Moreover, if you don’t talk to the police and give your side of the story, chances are any other drivers who may want to file a lawsuit will talk to the police, and then the narrative is fully theirs, without any input on your part.

Another step to take slightly down the line in some circumstances is to file a police report. While the report may not be able to be used as evidence, it can help to bolster your argument before the court.

Call Our Lawyers

Once the initial flurry of events after a car accident is over and after you have sufficiently recovered from your injuries, that is the time to think about whether you want to file a car accident lawsuit or not. When our Flushing car accident lawyers go over a case with you, the information you collected right after the accident – be that a lot of information or a little – will be incredibly helpful in building a strong case for you to bring to court.

Important Calls to Make After an NYC Car Accident

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in NYC, there are a few important calls to make. For example, you should notify police authorities by calling 911. In turn, they will send along an ambulance or medics so you can get the medical attention you need. Afterward, you can call family and friends to notify them about your crash and an attorney to help you get the compensation you need.

After a car accident, call the police. Officers will then help you get the medical care you require for your injuries. Next, you can notify your family and friends about the accident to receive the emotional support you need. Finally, call a Flatbush car accident attorney to help you find the best path to recover compensatory damages.

That may mean scheduling a time to call and speak with an insurance company about compensatory damages. Making that call should always come after you consult a Bronx car accident attorney to help you.

When Should I Call 911 in NYC After a Car Accident?

Calling 911 immediately after a car accident in NYC is crucial. Alerting local authorities can help you focus on getting the medical care that you need while police officers collect the necessary information.

If you have been injured in a car accident in NYC, it is very important to call 911 right away. Police will arrive, and medical professionals will help you in the aftermath of a car accident. Speed is so necessary because it’s important to begin documentation of the fact that a negligent driver caused your injuries. If New York City victims don’t call 911 right after a car accident occurs, police officers may not be able to properly document a collision.

Time is of the essence after a car accident in NYC so that a negligent driver is unable to drive off from the scene. Because of that, it is crucial to call 911 immediately after a car accident in New York City.

Why Should You Call NYC Police After a Car Accident?

Calling the police is essential after a car accident in NYC. Not only can police officers clear the busy New York City streets, but they can take care of the aftermath of an accident so that you can focus on getting the medical care you need for your injuries.

Officers Can Collect Insurance Information

Even after a car accident in a no-fault state like New York, obtaining a negligent driver’s insurance information is important. In some cases, their liability insurance coverage may help cover the cost of your injuries. Suppose a negligent driver refuses to provide their insurance information at an accident scene. When the police are called, officers can obtain an involved party’s insurance information so that you don’t have to engage with a negligent driver.

Officers Can Complete a Crash Report

Creating a crash report is one of the most important reasons why you should call police officers after an accident in New York City. Not only does this report create documentation of an accident, but your Brooklyn car accident attorney can use it to support your claim against a negligent driver. Crash reports usually contain vital details about an accident’s events, including officers’ own opinions and injuries to victims. By calling the police, you can ensure the creation of a crash report which can be invaluable if you choose to file a lawsuit against a negligent party for compensation.

Officers Can Alert Medical Professionals

Calling the police is especially important if you have sustained injuries during an accident in New York City. Doing so can help you get the immediate medical care you need and begin a record of your injuries which can be helpful during a lawsuit against a negligent driver. Remember, calling the police after a car accident is very necessary. Regardless of an accident’s severity, victims in NYC need to call the police so that they can get the help they require.

Who Can You Call to Get a Police Report After a Car Accident in NYC?

If you rightfully called 911 after a car accident in NYC, you need to get a copy of the police report officers completed. To do so, you can call your local precinct or possibly even go online.

There seem to be countless police precincts in New York City. To get a copy of your police report, you need to call the right precinct. Your NYC car accident attorney can help you locate the correct New York City police precinct that completed your crash report. To learn if your police report is ready to be picked up, you can call the precinct in question to see if it is available.

Some NYC police precincts offer online portals for victims to retrieve a digital copy of their report. If you would like to download your report, you can call the correct NYC police precinct about their online portal or ask your Queens car accident attorney for help.

When Should You Call Your Loved Ones After a New York City Car Accident?

Although your first instinct may be to call your friends and family after a car accident in New York City, it shouldn’t be the first call you make. Be sure to call the police and medical professionals first, no matter how much you’d like to alert your loved ones.

At The Carrion Law Firm, we understand the desire to call family and friends in the aftermath of a car accident in New York City. In reality, it benefits you more to first call emergency services, like the police and an ambulance. Afterward, you can get in touch with your loved ones to let them know what happened.

While you might not be thinking about compensatory damages immediately after a car accident, you should be. Suppose you choose to forgo calling the police and notify your friends and family first. In that case, you might lose the opportunity for officers to create a police report or for medical professionals to assess your injuries. That can make your collision and any potential injuries appear insignificant, making it more difficult to recover compensatory damages.

Do I Need to File an Accident Report with the New York DMV?

You may still have to report an accident that results in property damage and no physical injuries. In NYC collisions where the damage is worth more than $1,000, you must file an accident report with the New York DMV.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in NYC, you must call the police. But what about instances where there is only damage to your property and not to yourself? In that case, you may have to file a report with the DMV. In New York City, accidents resulting in more than $1,000 in property damage must be reported to the New York DMV.

Should I Call My Insurance Company After a Car Accident in NYC?

Contacting your insurance company after a car accident in NYC might seem like a good idea at first, but think twice. New York is a no-fault state for car accidents, so it makes sense to call your insurance company to inquire about PIP coverage. That being said, you shouldn’t do so alone.

In New York City, car accident victims injured in a collision can seek compensatory damages through their own insurance coverage. That’s because New York is a no-fault state for car accidents. That being said, accepting a settlement offer from your own insurance company may make it more difficult to seek compensation from a negligent driver through a lawsuit.

Believe it or not, even your own insurance company may offer too low of a settlement amount after a car accident in NYC. That’s why it’s crucial to contact a New York car accident attorney before you call your insurance company. Insurance companies are notorious for underpaying victims in need or tricking victims into making statements that can lower their potential settlement amounts. An NYC personal injury attorney can represent your interests in settlement negations with an insurance company and ensure that your rights are protected throughout the process.

Remember, don’t call your own insurance company without speaking to a lawyer after a car accident in NYC. It’s always best to have an experienced professional by your side throughout negotiations so you don’t accept a settlement amount that’s far below what you deserve. If your no-fault insurance plan doesn’t adequately cover your medical bills and lost wages, your lawyer may suggest you pursue a lawsuit.

Should I Call an NYC Attorney After a Car Accident?

If you have sustained injuries in an NYC car accident, always call an attorney. The right car accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve following a damaging collision in New York City.

New York City car accident victims should certainly call an attorney. After a car accident, consulting with a lawyer can help victims learn about their options, whether that be settling with an insurance company or filing a lawsuit against a negligent driver. It is crucial for victims to learn how they can get the compensatory damages that they deserve so that they can focus on healing after a physically and financially damaging car accident,

Another reason why calling a lawyer is so important is to have a skilled professional by your side. An NYC car accident attorney can collect all available evidence to support your claim. For example, if you called 911 immediately after a car accident, your lawyer can analyze the information from the corresponding police report to look for indications of an accident’s cause. Your lawyer can compile your medical records from your initial medical assessment that immediately followed a collision and records regarding the continuous care you have received.

At the end of the day, calling an NYC attorney after a car accident is the best way to protect your interests after a collision. By doing so, you’ll have someone in your corner to support you in your fight for compensatory damages after a car accident in New York City.

Call Our New York City Car Accident Attorneys About Your Case

No New York City car accident victim should face the aftermath of a collision alone. For a free case evaluation, call the Staten Island car accident attorneys at The Carrion Law Firm today at (718) 841-0083.