Being in an accident may leave you feeling scared and distraught. You may find that you are injured or that the other party is injured as well. You may be worried about the damage to your car or other personal property and not know how to proceed with your personal injury case in NYC. If so, read on to learn what steps you can take now to protect your rights and be better prepared to deal with a potential injury claim.
Three Strategies to Protect Your Right to Receive Compensation
- Gather documentation and evidence.
- Be patient and persistent with insurance companies.
- Get legal help when you need it.
Document the Scene
Gathering evidence becomes much more difficult if you allow time to go by after your accident. The greatest amount of evidence can be gathered right when and where the accident took place. If your injuries allow it, take out your phone and take pictures of the vehicles, making sure to capture the damage they sustained, their position on the road, and anything else you believe to have contributed to the wreck. Take pictures of your injuries and those of your passengers as well. If there are witnesses around, record their testimonies and get their contact information should you need to reach out to them in the future if there is a lawsuit. As soon as you can, write down everything that you remember including the time, date, location, and even the weather during the collision. Exchange all pertinent information with the other driver including their contact details, their insurance company, and the make and model of the car.
Call the Police
Having the police at the scene can give you the peace of mind of knowing that they will put down their conclusions on the accident in their official report. Request a copy to give to the insurance company and to your accident attorney. If the police ask you any questions, answer politely but refrain from speculating as to what happened. You may end up incriminating yourself without being aware of it.
Get Medical Attention
Your health is more important than anything else. Make sure to have a medical professional give you a thorough evaluation after a car accident, no matter how minor you think your injuries might be. Your doctor may discover internal injuries that could have grave consequences if left untreated. Keep a detailed journal of your recovery and follow all of your doctor’s instructions including going to any physical therapy sessions and taking all the prescribed medications you have been given.
If anyone is badly injured, call for an ambulance and get the victim to the nearest emergency room right away.
Call Your Insurance Company
Whenever you are involved in an accident, you should let your insurance company know about it. They will ask pertinent questions and conduct their own investigation into the collision. They may then make you an offer that may catch you by surprise because it will tend to be much lower than you expect it to be. Do not be pressured into signing any documents or accepting an offer that will be insufficient to cover your medical expenses. At this stage, you may not even have a full understanding of the extent of your injuries or how long a treatment you will need to fully recover your health.
It may be a good idea to call an accident attorney and schedule a consultation to talk about your case. Your lawyer will explain the legal options available to you to get the compensation you deserve.