Immediate Actions After a No-Fault Car Accident in New York

Being involved in a car accident is a shocking and unsettling experience. In the immediate aftermath, you may feel shaken and unsure about what steps to take next. However, you must act quickly to protect your health, legal rights, and financial interests. Don’t know what to do after an accident that is not your fault in New York? Here’s what to do after a collision in New York.

Pull Over and Assess for Injuries

Immediately after the accident, move your vehicle to the side of the road if possible, engaging your hazard lights to warn oncoming traffic. Look for any signs of injury on yourself and your passengers. If anyone exhibits severe pain, bleeding, or loss of consciousness, contact emergency services right away.

Contact Law Enforcement

Always call the police after an accident, regardless of how severe it appears. The responding officer will create an official police report documenting the incident. The police with then file a police report that will serve as crucial evidence when interacting with insurance companies and in potential legal proceedings.

Upon the police officers’ arrival on the scene, provide them with your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and insurance information. Describe the circumstances leading to the accident objectively, focusing on your observations and experiences. If questioned about injuries, you may express uncertainty and intention to seek medical evaluation as a precautionary measure. If you need clarification and amendments, call the police department for a more thorough investigation.

Exchange Information with the Other Driver

While awaiting the arrival of the police, exchange pertinent contact and insurance details with the other driver involved. Record their complete name, telephone number, address, insurance provider, and policy number. Exercise caution in your interactions, refraining from apologizing or admitting fault. Allow the proper authorities and insurance representatives to determine responsibility.

While your initial no-fault insurance claim will be with your insurance provider, the info you gather now can come in useful if you need to file a third-party liability claim down the road.

Gather Evidence at the Scene

Don’t know what to do after an accident that is not your fault in New York? If your physical condition allows, document the accident scene thoroughly before leaving the area. Capture photographs of the property damage sustained by your vehicle and the other driver’s car. Include pictures of the accident scene, images of the positioning of the vehicles, any skid marks, traffic signage, and the general surroundings. This visual evidence will strengthen your insurance claim.

Record the make, model, year, color, and license plate number of the other vehicle involved in the collision. Note the incident’s precise time, location, prevailing weather, and road conditions. If any witnesses are present, obtain their names and contact information to support your account of the events.

Seek Medical Evaluation

Prioritize your health and well-being following a motor vehicle accident. Even if you feel relatively unscathed, it is crucial to seek medical attention within 24 hours of the incident. Serious conditions like concussions, whiplash, or internal injuries may not present immediate symptoms due to the body’s natural response to trauma.

Prompt medical attention ensures timely diagnosis and treatment of any injuries you have suffered. It also establishes a clear connection between the accident and your physical condition. Adhere to your physician’s recommended treatment plan and attend all follow-up appointments diligently. Insurance companies will scrutinize your actions to assess the validity of your claim.

Notify Your Insurance Provider

Someone hit my car, whose insurance do I call? Inform your automotive insurance company about the accident as soon as possible, as they are responsible for paying out your initial no-fault claim. Most policies mandate prompt notification. Failing to alert your provider in time could jeopardize your claim and collision coverage.

When communicating with your insurance representative, provide a concise account of the accident, emphasizing the other driver’s responsibility. Share the other party’s insurance details and confirm that you’ve sought medical treatment for your injuries. Refrain from divulging extensive information about the incident or your condition, as insurance companies may attempt to minimize the severity of the situation. If the insurer denies responsibility, you may need to pay for damages out of pocket.

Maintain Thorough Records

In the aftermath of an accident, expenses can accumulate rapidly. Maintain meticulous records and retain copies of all documentation related to the incident, including:

• Medical bills and treatment records
• Vehicle repair estimates and invoices of repair or replacement costs
• Rental car receipts
• Police reports and citations
• Proof of lost wages due to injury-related absence from work
• Personal accounts of pain and symptoms following the accident

When you file a claim, the claims process requires you to submit evidence. This comprehensive documentation serves as vital evidence to support your insurance claim and demonstrates the extent of the losses you incurred. When your lawyer files a lawsuit, you will receive compensation according to the damages you present.

Contact [firm-name]

Don’t know what to do after an accident that is not your fault in New York? At [firm-name], we pride ourselves on our decades of experience assisting injured New Yorkers in rebuilding their lives after accidents. Our seasoned legal team deeply understands the hardships and challenges our clients face during these difficult times and wants to help them overcome those hurdles.

Contact our New York City car accident lawyers for help pursuing your claim. We offer a complimentary consultation to discuss your case, learn about your no-fault insurance coverage, and explore whether you have grounds to file an additional claim against the other driver. Reach out to us at [phone-number linked=true] today for a free consultation and let’s discuss your options.

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