What you do after a car accident can significantly impact your legal claim. You are building a strong foundation if you know what to do and take the right steps. However, if you do not take the right steps, you may lose witnesses and the essential information to help prove why you deserve compensation.
At The Law Offices of Joseph J. Perrini, III, we provide aggressive representation for car accident victims and help them stand up for their rights. We know how stressful car accidents can be and are committed to helping reduce the stress of the situation.
By working with us, you can receive the personalized service you need and deserve for a successful claim. With our help, you can focus on your recovery while we handle all the details of your injury claim. We will work on your behalf to help you get the compensation that you deserve.
After a car accident, you do not have to fight the insurance companies alone. Our skilled and knowledgeable long island car accident lawyers and negotiators will get to work for you. You only pay legal fees if your case is successful.
The steps you should take after being involved in a Long Island car accident can be found here.
Get to Safety
It is illegal to leave the scene of an accident in New York without exchanging information. Remain where you are.
Then, once you evaluate the situation, figure out what is safest. You can drive your vehicle to a safe location or, if this is impossible, figure out what would be safest for you. Make sure that you and your passengers get to somewhere safe. However, if you were seriously injured in the incident, you may not be able to move. In this case, stay as still as possible until the authorities arrive to keep from suffering further injuries.
Contact the Authorities
After being involved in a Long Island car accident, you may wonder what your next steps are. The first step in these situations is to contact the authorities.
They will ensure that you and anyone else involved in the accident are safe and contact emergency medical services if needed. They will also create an official police report. Remember, the police respond to car accidents daily – they know what to do and how to help in these situations.
The police officer who comes to the scene will request your license, insurance information, and registration. Be sure you have these documents accessible. When talking about the accident with the authorities, do not try to place blame.
If you do not know what happened, do not try to speculate. Instead, stick to the facts. The accident report created by the police will be an important part of your car accident claim, so making sure it is factual is beneficial.
Seek Medical Attention
Your health should be a priority if you are involved in a Long Island car accident. Contact emergency services or have someone do this for you. If you have been injured, you need to seek medical treatment. There are two main reasons for this.
First, seeking medical treatment means that all your injuries will be found. Sometimes, injuries can be “hidden” or take time to appear. The injury may become severe and even life-threatening if you do not seek medical care immediately.
The second reason is for the documentation. Seeking medical care immediately provides you with documentation of what happened and how severe your injuries were.
Gather Information from Other Drivers
If you can stay at the car accident scene, try to gather information from the other drivers involved in the accident. You should also get information about their car insurance. Getting this information while at the accident scene can prevent issues down the road.
Take Pictures at the Scene
Most people always have their phones with them. These can be powerful tools after a car accident. Remember, the accident scene can change quickly after authorities arrive. You should take pictures as quickly as possible.
Some of the pictures you should try to take while at the accident scene include the following:
Pictures of the Vehicles
Take photos of the vehicles involved in the accident, which include damages and license plate numbers. Get close-up pictures of any damage that occurred. It is also smart to take photos further away to get the entire accident scene in one shot.
Road Surface
Take photos of the road conditions at the scene of the accident. This should include any road obstacles and skid marks.
Accident Injuries
If you can, take pictures of any visible injuries you and your passengers sustained. The appearance of injuries can change after you receive medical care. You need to take photos immediately after the accident, which can be invaluable for your accident claim.
Accident Debris
Sometimes, the debris produced in an accident can tell the story of what happened. Try to get pictures of any debris at the accident scene.
Weather and Lighting
What was the weather like when the accident occurred? Did it happen in the dark or due to the sun’s glare? Try to take photos of any conditions related to the cause of the accident.
Traffic Signs
Take pictures of the signals or signs at or near the accident scene. Be sure to note if there is any signage that is missing near or at the accident scene.
Gather Contact Information from Witnesses to the Accident
In some situations, eyewitnesses to your accident scene will leave soon after it occurs. If they leave before the police show up, you may not know who they are or benefit from their testimony to what happened. Because of this, you need to gather the name and contact information of anyone who saw what happened in your accident.
Avoid Posting About the Accident on Social Media
After an accident, you may want to post about what happened on Facebook or Instagram. However, you should avoid posting on social media in these situations.
Insurance companies can access what you post; even a seemingly innocent post may be used against you. It is best to avoid discussing the accident on social media until you have received a settlement and the case is complete.
Contact Your Insurance Company
You should let your auto insurance company know about your car accident immediately. They can refuse to cover you if you do not contact them promptly.
The longer you wait to contact the insurance company, the more issues you will face. It is best to contact your insurance company as soon as possible; however, do not take over 30 days to report your accident to your insurance company. Reporting the accident, within 30 days, to your insurance copany is a strict requirement in Long Island and established by the state’s no-fault insurance laws.
If at all possible, contact the Law Offices of Joseph J. Perrini, III, prior to speaking with your insurance company. One of our experienced staff will advise you of what to expect when speaking with your insurance company and reporting your accident.
Contact Our Legal Team for Help
There are more than a few reasons to contact an attorney after a Long Island car accident. Our legal team will be your advocate and help you recover the full amount of compensation you deserve.
We encourage you to call us as soon after the accident as possible. We will review the facts related to your case and help you recover the full amount of compensation you are entitled to.
We offer all clients a free initial consultation, and you never pay for our legal services upfront. Call today – you have nothing to lose.
