What You Should Know About Car Accident Cases
If you are injured in a car accident, knowing what to do can help your attorney to achieve a favorable outcome for your case. There are definite steps you can take for gathering evidence that assist your representation against the other driver’s insurance company.
However, before we get into details about the steps, here is a basic fact about New York law that is important to understand. In many accident cases, no fault car insurance would cover the damages. However, when injury is severe, New York insurance law allows accident victims to sue the at-fault party based on the serious injury threshold.
Steps to Take if Injured in a Car Accident
The following steps are what you should do for any accident. However, they could be crucial for car accident victims suffering from serious injury who want to take legal action.
- Get Medical Help. If you or someone else suffers injuries in a car accident, call 911. Calls bring the police and EMTs to the accident scene. Receiving medical attention also creates a medical record of your accident injuries. Make sure you follow the doctor’s instructions and keep all subsequent medical appointments. Such medical records help to substantiate your injuries in an accident case.
- Gather information. Drivers involved in the accident should exchange driver’s license and insurance information, in particular the identification numbers. Also copy down the license tag number of the other vehicle. When the police arrive, note down the name and badge number of the police officer. Be sure to obtain a copy of the police report as soon as possible.
- Engage in no discussion with other drivers. You should explain what happened to the police officer, but do not talk about the accident with other drivers involved in the accident. Often accident victims are emotional and may say something that gives an inaccurate picture of what occurred.
- Get witness names. Get the name, address and contact information of any witnesses to the accident.
- Report the accident to your insurance company. You must notify your insurance company about your injuries and property damage right away. If you delay, your insurance carrier might be able to refuse claim coverage.
If You Are Seriously Injured, Speak with an Accident Lawyer About Your Rights
If you are injured in a car accident, an accident attorney can explain your rights and determine whether you have grounds to sue. The initial consultation is free and our representation involves no out-of-pocket expenses for pursuing a case. Our fees are part of the recovery and due only if we win or settle the case.