Traffic in New York City is famously busy, and car accidents are common. If you are involved in a car crash, it is vital to know the steps to take to protect your legal rights.
What to Do After an Accident
Always call the police after an accident, even if the collision appears relatively minor. If you are physically able, take photos of the accident scene, including the license plates numbers of the vehicles. Photograph any injuries you received.
Be sure to obtain contact information, as well as the insurance information and driver’s license number of the other driver involved. If there are eyewitnesses, get their contact information as well. If the other vehicle included passengers, get their names and contact information.
When the police arrive, give them an honest answer as to how the accident occurred, but do not admit fault even if you think you were responsible. Circumstances beyond your control, such as faulty mechanics in the car, could be the reason for your accident.
Always seek immediate medical attention after a car crash, even if you do not think you are hurt. Some injuries, including whiplash, are not immediately apparent. If you fail to go to the emergency room or the doctor right away and your injuries appear later, the insurance company will likely allege they were not caused by the accident.
What Not to Do After an Accident
If you are seriously injured, do not post details or comments about the accident on social media. Insurance adjusters have employees searching on social media to look for evidence that could harm you claim. For example, if you suffered significant impairment, do not post photos of yourself on a ski trip or at the beach.
No-Fault State
When it comes to car insurance, New York is a no-fault state. That means your insurance company will pay your medical expenses and lost wages due to the accident up to the limits of your policy. Under no-fault insurance, there is no compensation for pain and suffering. No-fault insurance does not cover property damage to your vehicle. Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible.
Under some circumstances, you may file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver of the other vehicle if they were at fault. Such circumstances include:
- Broken bones
- Significant disfigurement
- Permanent limitation or loss of a body part
- Significant limitation of use of a bodily function
You may also file a lawsuit if the injury caused full disability for more than 90 days. When filing a personal lawsuit, you might receive damages for pain and suffering as part of your compensation. In New York, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is three years from the accident date.
Brooklyn Car Accident Lawyers at Eaton & Torrenzano Help Those Involved in Car Accidents
If you were injured in a car accident, contact one of our experienced Brooklyn car accident lawyers at Eaton & Torrenzano. We will protect your rights while helping you receive the maximum compensation for your injuries. Contact us online or call us at 718-332-7766 today to schedule a free consultation regarding your case. With offices located in Brooklyn and Staten Island, New York, and Hillsborough, New Jersey, we proudly serve clients in Kings and Richmond County, including those in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, the Bronx, and Manhattan.