Every year over 5 million car accidents happen in the US, as per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and many of them prove to be fatal. Even a minor accident can result in physical injuries and mental stress, in addition to property damage.
There are more than 10 million licensed drivers in New York, and each year, around three hundred thousand car accidents happen that result in injuries. This translates to more than six hundred cars crashing each day in NYC.
After an accident, you need to file for an insurance claim, deal with medical expenses and recover from the trauma. This whole process can be lengthy, and one for which you will need the support of a car accident attorney.
A New York City car accident lawyer will help you liaison with multiple agencies and different parties if you have been involved in a bicycle accident, taxi accident, or any other type of motor collision.
However, lawyers can not help you on the scene but only after it. So, here are some common suggestions to help you handle the situation right after an accident.
- Determine if anyone is hurt
Even if you have been in a normal fender-bender, you must not leave the site of the accident unless you ensure that no one is hurt. Your safety and the safety of others must be your priority after an accident.
If you or someone is else, then you must contact the authorities immediately for proper medical care.
- Get yourself and the vehicle somewhere safe
If you and other people involved in the accident have not sustained any injuries, you must drive your car to the side of the road to avoid blocking traffic. You must use proper signaling and hazard lights to park your car on the side.
Remember to calm yourself down before driving again. If you are too shaken up from the accident, contact the authorities or have someone else drive you.
- Contact the police
It is also important to contact the authorities as soon as the accident has occurred. If you aren’t injured, you can do it yourself, but if you are, you can ask someone to do it for you.
If police officers arrive on the scene, you must note the NYPD officer’s name and badge number and ensure that you get a copy of the accident report from the officer at the scene, as your lawyer will need to see it when they examine your case.
- See a doctor
Right after an accident, you may feel perfectly fine, but symptoms may begin showing after a day or two, so you must make it a priority to have a doctor examine you thoroughly.
Remember to get a comprehensive report of the extent of your injuries as your New York City car accident lawyer will need to look at it before they determine a just compensation claim amount.
- Be proactive
You will be able to handle the situation much better when you are fully prepared for it. So, you must know your way around the insurance provider’s application to understanding their claim process better. This is another area where a NY car accident attorney can help you.
It goes without saying that you are expected to do everything in your power to avoid an accident. So, learn the basic traffic rules of your city. But, accidents are rarely pre-planned, so if you are ever in one, keep the above points in mind.
