Nobody is truly prepared for a car accident. Sometimes it’s just a nuisance fender-bender with property damage, but other times it can be a life-altering event. Usually, it’s someplace in-between. Since accidents are so common in New York City, it’s a good idea to know what to do in case you have a car accident. Wittenstein & Wittenstein is a law firm with accident attorneys in Queens that will answer all your questions after accident. They also share some basic information about what to do.
THE FIVE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO RIGHT AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT
Call the police (911).
Never make an agreement with the other vehicles to exchange information and handle everything “without the insurance.” This puts you in great jeopardy. If somebody is hurt, they can sue you, and claim you “left the scene,” and if you don’t file with your insurance company, they may say that you violated the policy, and refuse to defend you. It’s also sometimes hard to tell if you were hurt right after an accident and the insurance company may not pay the bills if there is no police report.
Get medical attention if you are hurt.
If you have been bounced around in the car or hit any part of your body on a part of a car, it’s always worthwhile to get immediate medical attention. Some injuries do not show up until later, and some serious internal injuries have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. The emergency room will know just how to check for any serious trauma. If you are badly hurt, don’t worry about your car, the police will make sure it is towed someplace safe. Always put your health above your property!
Call your lawyer.
It’s a good idea to keep your lawyer’s card in your car. Make sure to call your trusted Brooklyn Car Accident Attorney, and never accept referrals from “runners” that give you cards for lawyers or medical facilities. This practice is illegal and unethical, and the quality of service you will receive will reflect this! If you are treated at a hospital, you may receive solicitation calls from lawyer’s offices and medical facilities that have stolen your personal information from the hospital – avoid these scammers at all costs. Don’t speak to any insurance companies until you speak to your lawyer.
Take pictures and videos of the scene
If you are physically able, take as many pictures and videos of the scene at your possibly can. You want to show the positions of the vehicles after the accident, the damage to the vehicles, the location of the accident, skid marks and anything you think might be helpful to show how the accident happened, and who was at fault. These photos and videos can also show how serious the accident was. You can interview witnesses with video, and also take pictures of driver’s licenses and insurance cards, making the trading of information a snap.
THINGS TO CONSIDER THE DAY AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT
Now that the important immediate things are taken care of, you can consider next steps. Experienced accident attorneys in Queens will tell you that these next steps are quite important:
FOLLOW UP WITH YOUR BROOKLYN CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
Now that you have a better idea about the injuries you sustained, it’s time to call your Brooklyn car accident attorney for advice. He may say that your injuries are not serious enough to merit making a case, or he may tell you to come in and begin one. Be very careful not to call the insurance company before you call your attorney, as they may try to take a recorded statement or jeopardize your legal position. If accident attorneys in Queens tell you that you do not have a case, they can also advise you about how to handle collecting your property damage on your own. If you are not happy with what they are offering you for your car damage, you can take the car to a shop for another estimate and negotiate a higher amount. You usually do not need a lawyer to settle a property damage claim.
SERVICES THAT ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS IN QUEENS PROVIDE
When a reputable firm like Wittenstein & Wittenstein accepts your case, there are many services they will provide free of charge to make your experience trouble-free.
- File with your company for no-fault benefits, including paying medical bills and lost earnings.
- Handle your property damage claim, when making a claim for personal injuries.
- Follow-up with your treatment to make sure you are getting quality care.
- Handle all of your questions about the accident case or any other legal concerns you have may have.
- Come to your home, hospital or rehabilitation center if you are not able to ambulate well.
Contact Wittenstein & Wittenstein the finest Brooklyn Car Accident Attorney for over 60 years. They are one of the most experienced New York City Law Firms, with expertise in all types of accidents and other types of personal injury cases such as Medical Malpractice, Slip and fall, Construction Accidents and Civil Rights. We provide our legal services in NYC, Queens, Forest Hills, Brooklyn, and other nearby areas. With diverse knowledge, experience and efficiency, our attorneys have gained numerous loyal customers. If you think that your case is not being handled properly by your current lawyer, you need not worry, because our legal experts can take over your case and get it moving. Feel free to book your first free legal consultation with our experts and discuss your accident case.
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