What Steps Do I Take After A Car Accident?

Car accidents are a common occurrence in the U.S. At some point in your life, you may be involved in a car or truck accident. If the accident is serious enough, it may turn your life upside down. By knowing what to do after a car accident, you can help protect your legal rights.

At Arye, Lustig & Sassower, P.C., we represent people who have been seriously injured in car, truck and other motor vehicle accidents in New York City. If you or a loved one has been involved in a serious car accident caused by the negligence of another, our Manhattan-based attorneys can help.

Six Steps To Take After An Accident

By taking these steps, you can protect your legal rights immediately and in the days and weeks following a motor vehicle accident.

1. Report the accident to police. You may think you can handle the matter on your own, but it is better to make an accident report. In some cases, you may not receive certain benefits without a call to police. A police report can be particularly important for uninsured motorist claims and hit-and-run accidents. If you are unable to report the accident yourself, someone at the scene should make the call.

2. Do not admit fault. Even if you believe you are at fault in the accident, do not admit fault to police or other parties in the accident. You may not actually be at fault, but insurance companies will use your statement against you.

3. Collect evidence. Take photos of your vehicle and the damage. Be sure to get the name and address of the other driver and the license plate number for each vehicle involved in your accident. Obtain contact information for any eyewitnesses. If your accident leads to legal action, you will be in a better position if you have photographic evidence of the accident scene as well as names and contact information of witnesses.

4. Contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible. It’s usually better to contact an attorney before you contact your insurance company. A lawyer can advise you on how to best make the report. Your choice of words can make all the difference. An insurance adjuster may seem helpful, but he or she works to protect the insurance company’s bottom line.

5. Notify your vehicle’s insurance company and the other vehicle’s insurance company. You may be entitled to many insurance benefits, including no-fault insurance, uninsured driver benefits and underinsurance benefits. These benefits can be lost if you fail to promptly notify the insurance company.

6. Seek appropriate medical treatment. You should seek treatment even if you do not believe that you have serious injuries. Some injuries may not be immediately noticeable or may worsen with time. You should take notes on your diagnosis, treatment and any concerns about your condition. In addition, you should follow through on your doctor’s recommended treatment plan.

Don’t Hesitate; Contact Us For Help Today

Our law firm can advise you immediately after an accident. We can assess your case for potential liability and represent you in dealings with insurance companies. Call 800-574-4LAW or contact us online for a free consultation.

Case Results

Since 1965, we’ve recovered over $1 BILLION
on behalf of our clients. read more

$2.1 million
settlement

for 33-year old electrician who fell from ladder while attempting to fit heavy cable into crown box when cable sprung back and struck him, causing him to suffer left shoulder injury with impingement.

$1.6 million
settlement

for 38-year old electrician who slipped and fell on debris on stairway with resulting cervical herniated disc and aggravation of pre-existing arthritic changes.

$2.55 million
settlement

for 42-year old electrician who fell into an uncovered, unprotected hole and suffered a severe low back injury with herniated disc(s) that required surgery at L4-5 and L5-S1 levels.

$1.75 million
settlement

for 26-year old construction worker who fell through opening in roof and fractured his wrist, requiring surgery with open reduction and internal fixation, external fixation device, and eventual fusion.

$2.5 million
settlement

for 38-year old female electrician (with history of prior neck injury) who tripped on uneven Masonite protective floor covering, and suffered neck injury with herniated discs requiring cervical fusion.

$1.2 million
settlement

during trial for 40-year old sheet metal worker who was struck in the neck and shoulder by an air conditioning unit and suffered herniated cervical discs and cervical radiculopathy.