I was in an automobile accident, what should I do?

The unfortunate has happened and steam rises from the crumpled hood of your beautiful dream car, Even worse, your back feels like a red hot skewer is lodged between your shoulder blades, you’re your best friend is bleeding from his nose. Obviously it is hard to think clearly after a car accident so it is important to know what to do in the event an automobile accident takes place. The following checklist will help you know what to do after a car accident. It is best to review it now, even print out a copy to keep with you in your car.

1. Determine the Extent of Damage or Injuries: Don’t get angry, or panic. Accidents are an unfortunate part of life. Try to stay calm. Panic can make others panic and the situation worse. There needs to be a calm person to determine if there are any injuries that need immediate medical attention, and the extent of damage. If you are injured, do not refuse medical assistance at the scene of the accident.

2. File a Car Accident Report with the Police: Even in a minor accident it is important to make sure there is a legal accident report. Do not leave the scene until the police file a full report. Make sure to note what Police Precinct makes the report.

3. Discuss the Car Accident Only with the Police: With everyone all shook up it can be hard not to talk about what just happened, but that can also lead to you not thinking clearly and accurately about what happened. It is important to limit your discussion of the accident and not to admit any fault or liability. You should talk about the accident with the police, your attorney, and your insurance agent only.

4. Get the Facts: This is the part most people know to do, but often forget to after the accident for one reason or another. It is important to get names, address, and phone numbers of everyone involved in the accident. A description of the car and license plate number can also be helpful, but make sure you also get their insurance company and the vehicle identification number of their car. Don't just think the license plate number will do because most insurance companies only record the type of car and the vehicle identification number, not the license plate number. If you have a camera, or a cell phone that takes pictures, try to photograph as much of the accident as possible.

5. Call your lawyer, and insurance Agent: Call Kleinberg & Friedman, Esqs 212 964.6622 and your insurance agent or insurance company, even at the scene with the police if possible. Sometimes the police officer can give your lawyer or insurance company more accurate information rather than information you may not be recording properly because of your being upset by the accident. This can save you a lot of time later waiting for your claim to be processed.

6. File your insurance documents timely: Under New York State law, certain documents must be filed with your insurance company within a relatively short period of time after an automobile accident. To make sure your insurance documentation is filed in a timely fashion, contact Kleinberg & Friedman, Esqs.  As soon as possible after the accident. We will aid you in the required filings to protect your rights.

7. Additional Thoughts: If you are involved in an automobile accident or collision, you may be entitled to recovery of damages by a negligent party’s insurance company and/or by your own insurance company. It is important to act quickly after being involved in an accident, as your actions can impact your potential damages, and an experienced attorney will ensure that you do not compromise yourself. Automobile accidents may lead to a wave of insurance forms, reports, medical bills, etc. Immediately following an accident, it is important to gather as much information as possible, such as names, addresses, drivers license numbers, and insurance company information from others involved in the accident. If possible, gather valuable witness contact information. Certain injuries may not manifest themselves until sometime after an accident. By not seeing a doctor, you risk delaying your treatment and further injury. Even minor soreness can be an indication of a more significant injury.

I was injured when I tripped and fell, what should I do? You are out for a walk and the next thing you know, you’re lying face down on the pavement. You try to get up and experience extreme pain, you look down and see your leg bent at an unnatural angle. It is hard to think clearly after a fall, especially if you’re in pain, so it is important to know what to do in the event a slip or trip and fall takes place.

1. Determine the Extent of Damage or Injuries: Don’t be embarrassed, angry, or panic. At some time, everyone trips slips, or falls for some reason or another, be it a cracked sidewalk, a raised cellar grate, broken street sign post, oil, snow and ice, etc… Accidents are an unfortunate part of life. Try to stay calm to determine if there you have any injuries that need immediate medical attention. If you are injured, do not refuse medical assistance at the scene of the accident.

2. If your fall took place outside, on a City street, on a Transit Authority or private bus, train, or train platform, file an Accident Report with the Police: Even in a minor accident it is important to make sure there is a legal accident report. Do not leave the scene until the police file a full report. Make sure to note what Police Precinct makes the report. If you are in a business establishment, file an incident report with the manager or owner. Make sure you get a copy of the report.

3. Discuss the Accident Only with the Police and your Attorney: With everyone all shook up it can be hard not to talk about what just happened, but that can also lead to you not thinking clearly and accurately about what happened. It is important to limit your discussion of the accident and not to admit any fault or liability. You should talk about the accident with the police and your attorney only.

4. Get the Facts: This is the part most people know to do, but often forget to after the accident for one reason or another. It is important to get information about the accident site, such as the address where the accident took place, what caused you to trip or slip and fall, address, names, address, and phone numbers of witnesses. If you have a camera, or a cell phone that takes pictures, try to photograph as much of the accident scene as possible. Ideally photos should depict the condition that caused you to fall.

5. Call your lawyer: Call Kleinberg & Friedman, Esqs. 212 964.6622, even at the scene with the police if possible. Sometimes the police officer can give your lawyer more accurate information rather than information you may not be recording properly because of your being upset by the accident. This can save you a lot of time later waiting for your claim to be processed.

6. File your insurance documents timely: Unlike automobile insurance policies which carry No-Fault insurance provisions, medical bills for other types of accidents are submitted to your health insurance carrier. To make sure your insurance documentation is filed in a timely fashion, contact Kleinberg & Friedman, Esqs. as soon as possible after the accident. We will aid you in the required filings to protect your rights. 

            DFriedman@KFLawNYC.com    212 964.6622