Most car wrecks occur unexpectedly, and in the immediate aftermath, you may be most concerned with assessing any injuries you or your passengers suffered during the incident. You would be remiss, however, not to take certain steps immediately following a car crash because failing to do so may lead to considerable trouble down the line. Knowing what steps to take after a car wreck is important because it may help calm your nerves and help you deal with your insurance company in the days or weeks that follow.
Car accidents are so common that you may end up in one or several in your lifetime. Even if you are a safe and responsible driver, not every motorist who is on the road with you is.
Though there are actions you can take to minimize the likelihood of motor vehicle collisions, such as avoiding alcohol and other impairment-causing substances and following all traffic laws, not all accidents are unavoidable. So, here’s what to do after a car accident in New York. Take a look at the following things you should do immediately after a car accident that’s not your fault to protect your right to fair compensation from the insurance company and all liable parties.
What to Do After a Car Crash in New York
Ensure Safety
Accident scenes are often chaotic. One of the first things you must do in any collision is to assess yourself and your passengers for injuries and your surroundings for hazards. If possible, move your vehicle to a safe road area and use your hazard, emergency lights, and cones to alert other motorists to avoid the scene.
Note Any Personal Injuries
Whether you have a broken arm or brain trauma, making a note of any medical issues can help you later on. Ask for paper copies detailing any procedure or treatment you get for injuries directly related to the accident.
Contact the Authorities
Call the police and inform them of the situation. Be sure to provide as much information about your location to help speed up their arrival time. Even if there are little to no injuries or property damage, you should still alert the authorities so they can come out to document and process the accident scene to preserve the evidence.
Document the Incident
A third important step to take following a car crash involves extensively documenting the scene with your cellphone. Be sure to snap photos from multiple angles, and take care to photograph anything else that may have contributed to the crash, such as road hazards or construction. While documenting the scene in photos is critical, so, too, is writing down a description of what happened using as much detail as possible.
Besides reporting the accident to the police, you should document the incident for your personal records. Take photos of the crash, license plates, and area, and write down what you can immediately remember about the accident. Do not forget to take down the names and contact information of any other person who was in the accident or on the scene as a witness.
Talk to Those Involved
One of the first things you should do is check if everyone in the collision is alright. Physical safety is important, as well as getting personal information so you can contact anyone involved later on.
Check for Eyewitnesses
Talking to witnesses who saw the accident happen can help you understand what went wrong. This can also allow you to ask if any previous car accidents happened in the same intersection or road. You should never leave the area of the crash before the police arrive since you could face legal repercussions for a hit-and-run.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
It also may serve you well to contact your insurance company promptly after a crash. The claims process often takes time, so you may want to get the ball rolling as soon as possible. Please find more information on our Car Accident Lawyer Albany NY page.
