Car accidents are unfortunately all too common in New York. According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, there were over 293,000 car accidents in the state in 2017 alone. And while some car accidents are relatively minor fender benders, others can be much more serious, resulting in significant injuries or even fatalities.
What Happens After My Car Accident?
Once you’ve been involved in a car accident, there are a number of steps you need to take in order to protect your rights and possibilities for compensation. You should first seek medical attention, even if you don’t believe that you’ve been seriously injured. Sometimes injuries from car accidents aren’t immediately apparent but can surface days or weeks later. By seeing a doctor right away, you can document your injuries and begin the process of linking them to the car accident.
You should also try to get as much information about the other driver involved in the accident as possible. This includes their name, contact information, insurance information, and license plate number. It’s also a good idea to take photos of the accident scene, if possible. These photos can be helpful in later documenting the accident and injuries.
Contact a New York Accident Lawyer
Once you’ve taken care of your immediate medical needs and gathered information about the other driver, you should contact a New York car accident attorney. An experienced car accident attorney will know how to navigate the complex legal process involved in pursuing a car accident claim and will fight for the maximum compensation you are entitled to.
Why You Need an Attorney After a Car Accident
The insurance companies that represent the drivers involved in car accidents are interested in one thing – paying out as little money as possible on claims. To that end, they will often try to downplay the severity of injuries, or even deny that their insured driver was at fault for the accident. An experienced car accident attorney will know how to deal with these tactics and fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve.
No Fault in New York
In addition, New York has a “no-fault” insurance system for car accidents. This means that each driver’s own insurance company will pay for their medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who was actually at fault for the accident. However, there are certain circumstances where you can step outside of the no-fault system and file a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver. These include cases where you have sustained serious injuries, or if your medical expenses exceed a certain amount. An experienced car accident attorney will be able to evaluate your case and determine if you are eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Finally, car accident cases can be complex and time-consuming. Oftentimes, it takes months or even years to resolve a car accident case. An experienced car accident attorney will have the resources and knowledge necessary to handle your case in an efficient and effective manner and will fight for the best possible outcome on your behalf.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, don’t try to navigate the legal process on your own – contact an experienced New York car accident attorney today. Reach out to Michael Redenburg for immediate assistance.
