What Do I Do After I’ve Been In A Car Accident?

If you have been injured in a car accident in New York, you may not know what to do. This blog will blog you of what you should and should not do in the wake of your car accident. Following these steps will allow you to build the strongest case possible, maximizing your claim for financial compensation.

The New York City car accident lawyers at Finz & Finz P.C. will help you get your life back on track following your car accident. The skilled and compassionate lawyers at Finz & Finz P.C. know how challenging and stressful it can be. We want to help in any way we can. Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will not owe us until you recover compensation. Call 855-TOP-FIRM today to schedule a free and confidential consultation.

What To Do After a Car Accident

We recommend taking the following steps if you have been involved in a car accident in New York:

Call police

If you or anyone else involved in the accident is seriously injured, call 911. If no injuries are apparent, police should still be called. A police report will be vital evidence if you need to file an injury claim.

Get medical treatment

Getting medical care is likely to be the most critical step in getting your life back on track after a car accident. When you see a doctor, make sure you describe all your symptoms. Being honest with your doctor will allow them to give you the best medical treatment possible. Ask your doctor if you can return to work or if you will have restrictions.

It’s important to continue with treatment if you still exhibit symptoms. This should continue until your symptoms go away and throughout the rest of the entire process of your injury case. Insurance companies look at gaps in treatment as a sign that your injury has healed.

Photograph the scene

Use your phone camera to take pictures of the scene of the accident. Make sure you get shots of your vehicle, the other vehicles involved, and any other factors that could have contributed to the accident, such as dangerous road conditions. Make sure you get photos of any scenic details, including speed limit signs, construction sites, or any other hazards or obstacles in the road.

Get insurance information

Collect insurance info from all drivers involved. Make sure to get policy information, the insurance agent’s contact information, driver’s license, and license plate number.

Keep records

Record the names and contact information of every healthcare provider involved in your treatment. Keep copies of your medical records and expenses. Also, it’s a good idea to keep a journal of your feelings throughout your recovery. This information will assist a car accident attorney in putting together your case and determining how much financial compensation to seek for your damages.

Contact a car accident attorney

No matter how minor the accident, always consult with an experienced New York car accident lawyer before discussing it with an insurance company or accepting a settlement offer. Insurance adjusters will likely try to get you to accept a quick settlement for an amount that is much lower than what you deserve. If you accept a quick lowball settlement, the claim is completed.

The highly skilled New York car accident attorneys at Finz & Finz P.C. will help you negotiate the maximum settlement that will cover all of your past, present, and future expenses. If negotiations fall apart, we will fight for your right to full and fair compensation in court.

What NOT to Do After a Car Accident

Following your car accident, avoid making these mistakes:

• Not reporting the accident – It can be tempting to simply exchange insurance information with the other driver involved, especially if you don’t think you were injured in the accident. However, some injuries take days and even weeks to become apparent. Be sure to report your accident and get a copy of the police report.
• Admitting fault – Even if you believe that you were partly to blame for the car accident, never admit fault.
• Talking to an insurance company – Insurance companies are going to attempt to either pay the minimum settlement possible or deny your claim altogether. Furthermore, insurers often record conversations. They can use potentially use parts of what you say against you to deny you compensation. The car accident lawyers at Finz & Finz P.C. will take care of all communication with insurance companies to ensure your statements cannot be taken out of context. If an insurance adjuster contacts you, tell them your attorney will be in touch with them.
• Accepting settlement – The insurance company may employ a “take it or leave it” tactic to pressure you into accepting a settlement that is far below what you need to recover from your injuries. Never sign anything without first speaking with an experienced lawyer.

Contact a New York Car Accident Lawyer

If you have been injured in a car accident in New York, allow the New York personal injury lawyers at Finz & Finz P.C. to take care of all the legal heavy lifting involved with your claim. This will enable you to focus on what’s most important: your recovery. Our attorneys will strive to negotiate for a full and fair settlement of the injuries. If this does not happen, we won’t hesitate to take your case to trial, where we know what needs to be done to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.

The committed New York car accident attorneys at Finz & Finz P.C. take pride in helping people whose lives have been upended. If you or a loved one have been injured in an auto accident, allow our compassionate lawyers to help you through this challenging time. Call now at 855-TOP-FIRM to schedule a free initial consultation.