What to Do After a Car Accident in New York
The actions you take after a car accident can have a huge impact on your claim. When you take the right steps, you are laying the foundation for the strongest claim possible. But if you fail to act, you could forever lose key witnesses and even harm your personal injury claim.
At The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C., we aggressively advocate for car accident victims, and we help our clients stand up for their rights. We understand how stressful an accident can be, and we are committed to taking the pressure off you.
When you work with us, we will provide the personalized service you deserve. While you focus on your recovery, we will handle every detail of your injury claim. Our goal will be to maximize the compensation that you receive.
After an accident, you don’t have to fight the insurance companies by yourself. Allow our aggressive negotiators and skilled trial lawyers to work for you. We charge no fees unless we win for you, and we are ready to answer any questions you may have about what to do after a car accident.
Call us today for your free case review.
Call Law Enforcement
Many people who have a New York car accident wonder what to do next. The first step after the accident is to call police officers to the accident scene. The police can make sure that you and others are safe, call an ambulance if needed, and write up an accident report. Law enforcement officers respond to car accidents every day. They are prepared to help.
The police officer who arrives on the scene will ask for your license, registration, and insurance information. Make sure those documents can be located. When discussing the accident with the police, do not lay blame on anyone. If you are uncertain about what happened, do not speculate about the accident’s cause. Instead, just stick to the facts. The police officer’s accident report can be a key part of a car accident claim, so it is important that the report is factually accurate.
Get Medical Attention
After any car accident, in Queens or elsewhere, your health comes first. Make sure emergency services are contacted. If you are injured, your priority should be to get the medical care you need.
Get Information from the Drivers Involved
If you are able to remain at the accident scene, get the contact information for any drivers who were involved in the crash as well as the contact information for their insurance company. Gathering this data at the accident scene can prevent future hassles and headaches.
Take Photos
Smartphones can be a powerful and useful tool at the accident scene and may help show what happened. Remember that the scene of your accident may quickly change once first responders arrive, so take your photos as soon as possible.
Your pictures should include:
- The vehicles, including license plates and damage – Be sure to get close-up pictures of any damage to the cars. Take more distant photos to capture the broader accident scene.
- The road surface – Your photos should include road conditions at the accident, including skid marks and any road obstacles such as potholes.
- Accident injuries – If possible, take pictures of the injuries that you and your passengers have suffered. The appearance of your injuries may change when you receive medical care. Car accident injury photos taken immediately after an accident can be a major part of your claim.
- Debris from the accident – Often the debris can tell a powerful story of what happened.
- Lighting and weather – Take photos of any relevant lighting and weather conditions at the time of the accident.
- Traffic signs – Take photos of any signs or signals at the accident scene. Note whether any signage is missing near the accident.
Get Names and Contact Information for Witnesses
In many cases, any eyewitnesses will leave the scene shortly after a car accident. If those eyewitnesses depart before the police arrive, you may forever lose their crucial testimony. For that reason, get the name and contact information of anyone who saw the accident.
See a Health Care Provider
While you may feel okay after an accident, it is still important to get a full medical evaluation. The pain from some injuries may not be apparent for hours or days. A doctor may be able to identify and treat those injuries.
Stay Off Social Media
Avoid putting details of your accident on social media sites such as Facebook. Insurance companies may use those posts to reduce or deny compensation for your injuries.
Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers in Queens, NY
The attorneys at Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C., regularly handle car accident claims and know how to help you. A personal injury attorney in Queens, NY can advise you on the steps you can take to move your claim forward. An attorney will work with experts to determine what caused your accident and who can be held responsible. A car accident lawyer can begin building your claim and pursuing maximum compensation for your injuries.
If you have been injured in a car accident near Queens, NY, contact The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C., today. Our firm can give you the personalized service and attention that you deserve. We will fight tirelessly to maximize your compensation, and we will go the extra mile for you. Our attorneys have a reputation for aggressive negotiation. An attorney from our law firm is ready to stand up for you. Contact The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C., today for a free case review.