There are many causes of car accidents, but one common factor is driver error. Drivers who are distracted, speeding, or impaired by drugs and alcohol often cause crashes on NYC streets.
The physical and emotional consequences of a car accident cannot be easily measured in dollars, but they are no less real. A trusted car accident attorney can help you recover compensation for your non-economic damages.
Call the Police
Whether you are injured or not, it is important to call the police when an accident occurs. The police can redirect traffic to prevent additional crashes, make sure that the road is safe, and help the people at the scene. They can also help you file an insurance claim by filing an official report of the accident.
Determining who is at fault in a car accident can be difficult. Each person involved may have their own version of events, but an impartial police officer can assess the situation and provide a record of what happened. This can be invaluable in resolving disputes and establishing liability.
In addition to determining who is at fault for the crash, a police report can also document any physical evidence at the scene, such as tire marks or damage to the vehicle. It can also list any witnesses and their statements, and any citations issued by the officer. This information can help speed up your insurance claim or win your case in court.
The law states that you must call the police in any accident resulting in injury or death, or if there is serious property damage. If the injuries are minor, a police report may not be required. If the damages exceed your insurance coverage, however, you will need to file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company. An official police report will prove that the accident was not your fault, and that you deserve fair compensation for your losses.
When you call the police, make sure to get the name and badge number of each officer who responds. This information will be helpful if you need to obtain a copy of the police report later. You should also take the time to ask the police officers any questions that you have about the crash. You should also note their opinions, which can be useful in your lawsuit. If the other driver’s insurance company attempts to contact you soon after the accident, it is essential that you call an attorney right away. They may try to offer you a quick cash settlement that is far less than your actual damages are worth.
Seek Medical Attention
Regardless of the severity of an accident, it is imperative to seek medical attention right away. Not only does this ensure that you are getting the treatment and care that you need for your injuries, but it also creates a record of the injuries and their relationship to the accident. This documentation can be vital in personal injury claims. Insurance companies and other parties may attempt to discredit or downplay your injuries if they see that you did not receive immediate medical care following the accident.
Experiencing pain after an accident can be confusing, and it’s easy to assume that the symptoms are not related to your crash or that they will pass on their own. However, this is not always the case. The shock and stress of a car accident can cause your body to release a hormone known as adrenaline, which can mask pain signals. This can make it difficult to determine if you have any serious injuries that need immediate medical attention.
Injuries that can occur in car accidents include sprains, strains, and whiplash. Symptoms of these injuries can include neck pain, shoulder discomfort, back pain, headaches, and fatigue. Seeing a doctor as soon as possible can help prevent these injuries from becoming worse and can also prevent long-term health problems from developing down the road.
Numbness and tingling are other common injuries that often require immediate medical attention. These can indicate that there is nerve damage or compression, which can worsen if not addressed immediately. Bruising and swelling are also common signs of an accident, but they could also be indicative of internal injuries such as fractures or contusions.
It is important to follow the course of treatment prescribed by your doctor. This includes attending any diagnostic examinations, taking any medications that were prescribed, and completing at-home rehabilitation exercises as advised. This will allow you to heal more quickly and will provide a clear timeline of your injuries as evidence for your legal claim.
Leaving your crash untreated can lead to longer and more painful recovery periods. It can also negatively impact your ability to return to work, cover expenses like rent, and pay for other daily necessities. This can be particularly distressing when the at-fault party’s insurance company attempts to deny your claims or offers a low-ball settlement.
Take Photos
When a car accident occurs, it is important to take photos of the scene as soon as possible. These images are often crucial in proving your injuries and damages. However, it is important to take pictures from a safe distance to avoid obstructing traffic or making the scene more dangerous. You should also be aware of the other people involved in the accident and respect their privacy as you snap photographs.
In addition to the actual accident scene, you should try to capture close-up shots of your vehicle’s damage and any other vehicles involved in the crash. Try to get a wide-angle photo of the scene as well so that your attorney can see the full picture of how the collision happened and the surrounding area. If it is safe, you should also photograph any skid marks that may have formed.
Your personal camera or smartphone should be capable of taking clear and consistent images of the accident scene. However, it is best to have a digital camera on hand as it will give you the option to print out the photographs or upload them onto a computer later. This is especially useful if you need to give a statement to the police or insurance company about what happened in the accident.
Photos are more important than you might think in a car accident case. Without them, the at-fault driver’s insurance company can simply discredit your statements about how the accident occurred and how badly you were hurt. But with photos, they will have to deal with the evidence and be willing to negotiate fairly with you for your injuries and losses.
You should also try to capture pictures of any other witnesses, including third parties and passers-by who stop to look at the scene. If you can safely do so, you should also try to get their contact information and a description of their appearance as they were at the time of the crash. This could help your attorney locate surveillance footage from nearby businesses, which is helpful in proving that the accident occurred as you say it did.
Contact an Attorney
The best time to contact an attorney is as soon as possible after the crash. This gives the attorney a chance to review your accident report and begin to build a case for financial compensation for your losses. An experienced attorney has a clear understanding of the types of damages you may be entitled to, including medical expenses, lost wages (past and future), property damage, pain and suffering, and other costs.
An attorney can also help you understand what is considered “economic” and “non-economic” losses. Economic damages are those that are connected to a dollar amount, such as the cost of your medical bills, the cost to repair or replace your car, and your lost income due to missing work due to your injuries. Non-economic damages are more intangible, such as your physical pain and emotional distress.
If you have a lawyer on your side, it is less likely that the at-fault party’s insurance company will try to settle for too little or even deny your claim altogether. Your attorney will have access to legal resources and years of experience fighting these insurance companies.
A lawyer will also be able to determine all the parties that could potentially be held liable for the accident. This includes the at-fault driver’s insurer, as well as any other parties that may have contributed to the crash. This can include the car manufacturer, road construction contractors, a bar that served alcohol to an intoxicated driver, and more.
Before hiring an attorney, you should ask about their previous experience with the type of lawsuit you are filing. Every case is different and an experienced attorney will have a better understanding of how to handle your specific circumstances. Additionally, you should make sure that the attorney has enough resources and staff to handle your case. This is important, as some attorneys will decline to take your case if it’s unlikely that they will be able to win you full compensation. Finally, you should also inquire about their fee structure. Find out whether they charge an hourly rate, require a retainer, or work on contingency.