Being in a car accident is scary, especially if it happens on the traffic clogged roads of New York City! With hundreds of thousands of accidents occurring in the city annually, you may find yourself in that awful predicament at some point. How you handle a car accident while in traffic is important to your safety and to any potential legal claim you may need to make later.

The New York Car Accident Lawyers at Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C. know that a vehicle crash can turn your world upside down.

Our award-winning personal injury attorneys hope you never find yourself in one. But if you do, follow the tips below, including determining if you need a lawyer. We’ve helped our clients receive the compensation they deserve after auto accidents. Call us at (212) 490-5700 to schedule a risk-free no cost appointment.

What to Do After a Car Accident in NYC

  1. Take a Breath.When you’ve been in an accident and are not knocked unconscious, the shock and adrenaline may combine to make you want to leap from the car, perhaps in anger, and certainly upset. Don’t do that unless you have reason to believe there is more danger from staying inside just a few minutes more.While still in the car, breathe deeply, and do a quick inventory of your body to determine if you have injuries – and if so, how severe. Immediately jumping out could aggravate injuries, put you in danger of being hit by other motorists, or lead you to saying something that could undermine your legal claim.
  2. Get Moving.Once you feel you can, move the vehicles involved to the side of the road. Unfortunately, in NYC traffic that may not be possible. In that case, leave the cars where they are and put on emergency flashers.Make sure the car is in park, use the safety brake as well, turn off the engine and get out if you’ve determined it is safe to do so. If you have road flares, use them.During this time, check on others involved to assess any injuries. An ambulance should be called if anyone is experience dizziness, shortness of breath, or extreme pain. Stick to just talking about injuries, nothing about the accident such as how it happened, what you were doing, or who might be at fault.
  3. Call the Police.Even if you think the accident is minor, it is best to involve the police, who can generate an accident report. The report is a very helpful tool later in the process when there may be a need to pursue damages.If the police can’t come, be sure to get all the details you need for an insurance claim and to file a report through the department of motor vehicles. See Number 4 for what information is important.
  4. Get the Details.Write down as much information as you can right after the accident. Make sure you get the following:
    • Driver, passenger, and witness names and contact information
    • Makes, models, and license plate numbers of cars involved
    • Insurance information of the other driver(s)
    • Location of the accident
    • The name and badge number of any responding police officers

    You may think it isn’t necessary if police are there to do a report. The problem is sometimes they make mistakes or don’t do a complete job.

  5. Tech Time.Don’t forget one of the best tools you may likely have after an accident in traffic is your smartphone. You can use it to take pictures of injuries and property damage. You may consider a quick video as well to note the scene and weather conditions. In fact, much of the information you need, as detailed above, maybe easily obtained using your phone.
  6. Seek Medical Care.Even if you refused care at the scene, it is important to get checked out by a doctor after an accident. You may have injuries that don’t present for a few days. It is imperative that you see a medical professional and make sure you say you were in a car accident.Follow the doctor’s advice and seek additional treatment if you develop more symptoms or increased pain.Keep records of expenses related to your medical care.
  7. File an Insurance Claim.After you are safely home, call your insurance company to report the accident. If you are called by the other party’s insurance adjuster, be cooperative but do not make statements against your interests, such as downplaying any injuries or the property damage. Do not accept fault.
  8. Call a Lawyer.No one wants to make a matter into a legal one, but sometimes it can’t be helped. Our attorneys stand up for you against the insurance company, which only wants a quick, cheap settlement. We can assess what happened, who might be at fault, and how much you are owed for your damages. Did you know that those at fault could be more than just the driver? It’s true! The accident might have been caused by a poor car repair, or a manufacturing defect, a third party, such as a pedestrian, or perhaps a delivery driver in the course of his employment. If so, additional parties may be legally liable for your injuries. That’s why it’s so important to consult an attorney after a car accident.

Car accidents are unexpected by nature. They can be traumatizing, and dealing with the aftermath can be tricky. Some mistakes could diminish a potential settlement, and there are certain things you should remember to do to protect your health and your recovery.

Learn more about the mistakes that can threaten your case, and the actions that can secure a settlement.

Avoid These Mistakes After a Car Accident

We recommend you work with an experienced NYC car accident lawyer to avoid these common mistakes.

1. Not Calling the Police

One of the first mistakes a person can make after being in a crash is failing to call the police. If you are involved in a crash that causes someone injuries or death, or causes over $1,000 in property damage, New York law requires you to report the accident to the police. It’s also best to call the police to have someone come and conduct an initial investigation of the crash and write an objective report. If you fail to call the police, make sure you file an accident report right away.

2. Not Taking Pictures

If you’re not hurt too badly, and your phone survived, then take photos. Take pictures from different angles and distances. Try to document the damage to your car thoroughly. These photos could be important if you need to hire an accident reconstruction expert.

3. Not Going to a Doctor

You might think you’re OK and can go one without a doctor. But if your crash was anything more than a fender bender, we recommend a thorough check-up. If there are any obvious injuries, go to the emergency room. Without any obvious injuries, you might prefer seeing your general practitioner or family doctor for an exam. If you start noticing more symptoms in the days following the crash, don’t hesitate to go to the ER.

4. Not Telling Your Insurer Right Away

When you’re dealing with a damaged vehicle and injuries, you should inform your insurance company as soon as possible. If you want any use of your benefits, you must tell your insurance company. Insurers require notification within a reasonable amount of time after an accident. You also want to tell your insurer so it will communicate with the other driver’s insurance company.

5. Answering the Other Insurer’s Questions

Don’t be surprised to get a call from the other driver’s insurance company. They’ll want to ask you some questions. The person on the phone might make it seem like no big deal, but it’s important that you decline to answer any questions at that time and call a lawyer. That insurance company is looking for reasons to deny your claim or limit your financial recovery. By hiring an attorney, you have an advocate who makes sure the insurance company gets the info it needs and prepares you to answer any necessary questions.

Things to Remember After a Car Accident

Avoiding these mistakes can help you recover after a car accident, physically and financially. Other tips to remember after a crash include:

Clear the Road and Wait for Law Enforcement

After the crash, make sure everyone in the car is okay. If the car can move, you’ll need to get out of the way so traffic can keep flowing. You’ll need to stay close to the scene so that the police can get your statement and other emergency responders can handle your immediate needs.

Collect Evidence From the Scene

Besides photographs, there are other crucial details to collect to help reinforce your story and your insurance claim. You’ll need to get any other driver’s name, contact info, and insurance details to help you seek compensation if they were negligent. You also need to talk to witnesses about what happened and get details about the scene so that you can ensure an accurate report is made.

Call a New York Personal Injury Lawyer

You might feel that contacting a car accident lawyer is making a mountain out of a mole hill, but insurance claims rarely go smoothly. Attorneys can give you an edge when you’re seeking a settlement after an accident. They’ll investigate your crash, help you identify liable parties, calculate your claim’s worth, and negotiate a settlement. They can help you handle any court matters if a lawsuit becomes necessary.

Were You Recently Hurt in an Accident?

If you’re scouring the internet about what to do after a car crash, you’ve come to the right place. At Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., we have decades of experience handling all sorts of motor vehicle accidents, including those involving catastrophic injuries, and are tenacious in fighting for results. Contact us online or call (212) 490-5700 to schedule your free consultation.

Contact Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, Personal Injury Lawyers

Located in Midtown-Manhattan, Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek is an experienced group of injury lawyers helping injury victims in Manhattan and throughout NYC. To talk with our top-rated New York City personal injury lawyers about your options, submit your information through our online form to request a free initial consultation.

We offer free case evaluations and no up-front fees. You only pay us if we recover compensation.

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