What to Do After a Car Accident in NYC
After a car accident, your thoughts will be scattered, and panic may be at the forefront of your brain. Regardless, it is important to take certain legal steps before leaving the scene.
Knowing what to do after a car accident in NYC and then following through with that knowledge may be the most important thing you do as you try to manage the details of this unfortunate event.
The correct steps can go a long way toward keeping you out of trouble, but they can also help you deal with the aftermath.
Get to Safety First
The number one priority after a car accident is safety. Get yourself and your passengers to a safe area, but do not leave the scene.
Check on the other vehicles when it is safe to do so, and try to help these people get to a safe area as well. This is one of the most important steps after a car accident and should be the focus until you are sure everyone is safe.
Call the Police
In New York State, it is not always necessary to call the police, at least not from a legal standpoint. If there are no injuries and the damage looks to be less than $1,000, you can file your own accident report.
At the same time, you are always better off calling the police. The other driver may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, which you will want to have recorded in the accident report. You could also have a delayed injury that won’t be apparent until later, which means the police accident report will be instrumental to proving your case.
A non-biased accident report from a police officer is going to go much further than your own personal account. An accident report written at the scene is a pivotal piece of information that you will need in order to pursue a legal claim.
You Need a Qualified Legal Team on Your Side
It is imperative that you seek medical attention after an accident, even if you think you don’t have any injuries.
Knowing what to do after a car accident in NYC also involves dealing with a number of professionals who won’t have your best interests in mind. Our experienced lawyers can help you navigate the process to a successful conclusion.
Contact an Attorney
Even if you think you may have missed one of these steps after your accident, we can help you figure out the best way to move forward. If your accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, you might be entitled to compensation. Let us help you make sure the right person is held responsible.
Contact us online or call 1-800-VICTIM2 (842-8462) as soon as possible to get started.
