New York Car Accident Lawyer Helping People Injured In Car Accident To Obtain The Highest Possible Compensation
In our personal injury lawyer blog on our website we often write about things that you should and shouldn’t do after an accident. But we always look for new information that we feel may benefit our readers. We’ve come across the post below and even though it’s pretty simple we found it very informative and think our readers will benefit from the information.
What to Do at the Scene of a Car Accident
First, you must stop at the scene of the car accident — whether the car accident involves a pedestrian, a moving car, a parked car or someone’s property. New York state law requires drivers in a crash to stop and stay at the scene to exchange information or render reasonable assistance to the injured. If you leave, you could be charged with hit-and run and face severe penalties. Depending on the damage or injuries, you may be fined, sent to jail, or both. You also could lose your driver’s license.
Do I Have to Call the Police?
Call the New York City Police Department or 911 as soon as possible. If a person is injured or killed, you must report the accident immediately. If you hit a parked car, or other object like a traffic device, you must inform the owner. Leave a note with your name, address, license plate number and insurance information and report the accident to local police.
An officer will respond to your location and take a report. This means assessing the damages and interviewing key witnesses to help determine the likely cause of the accident.
What Information Should I Gather at the Scene?
Be prepared to exchange information with the other driver — your name and driver’s license number, the vehicle identification number of the car you are driving, the name and address of the car’s owner, the name and address of your insurance company and your insurance policy number. Make sure the investigating officer records complete insurance information on the crash report for all parties involved. Some other information you may wish to collect contact information about:
1. Other car’s owner;
2. Any passengers in the other car; and
3. Any witnesses to the accident.
Also, consider making note of traffic and weather conditions. Draw a simple diagram of the collision scene if you are able. Take photographs if you can. (How to use your phone as a tool in a car accident?)
Liability: Who is Really at Fault?
Automobile accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, including driver negligence, defective vehicle components, poorly maintained roads, or badly installed parts.
It’s also important not to volunteer any information about who was to blame for the accident. You may think that you are in the wrong and then learn that the other driver is as much or more to blame than you are. You may wish to first talk to your insurance agent, car accident lawyer, or both. Anything you say to the police or the other driver can be used against you later. Generally you should not agree to pay for damages or sign any documents except a traffic ticket.
Reporting the Accident to the DMV
You are required to file a report (MV-104) with the DMV if property damage to one driver exceeds $ 1,000, or if any person is injured or killed. Don’t wait. The report has to be filed within 10 days after the accident or your driver’s license may be suspended.
State Insurance Level Requirements
New York is one of 12 states with a no-fault insurance program. As a driver of a car registered in this state, you must purchase New York State (NYS) liability insurance from an in-state provider. Out-of-state coverage is not valid. According to the New York State DMV, you must carry a minimum liability:
- $25,000/50,000 for injury
- $50,000/100,000 for death
- $10,000 for property damage caused by any one accident
No-Fault Benefits
No-fault automobile insurance is designed to cover any injuries you sustain as a result of the accident provided you were not intoxicated by drugs or alcohol or engaged in other criminal behavior. It doesn’t matter who is at fault. Your own insurance company will pay out of pocket for personal injuries up to the policy limits. This means you don’t have to sue the other party’s insurance company to take care of medical bills and other resulting damages such as lost wages. Simply contact your own insurance carrier and make a claim.
Property Damage Liability
Property damage covers any damage that you, a family member or other covered individual driving your vehicle may cause to another person’s property while driving. This type of coverage will not pay out for any damages you sustain to your own vehicle. It’s only meant to cover the other driver’s personal property damage.
New York does not require you to carry coverage that insures your own vehicle, although it’s certainly recommended.
After the Crash: Dealing with Insurance Companies
As soon as you can, report the crash to your insurance company. You are required to report a crash within 30 days to claim no-fault benefits. Your carrier will open an investigation of your matter. A claims adjuster will contact you and do any or all of the following:
- Request a copy of the police report;
- Take photographs of your car;
- Contact the other driver(s);
- Talk to any witnesses;
- Ask you to sign a medical release form to review your records;
- Contact your medical provider;
- Request for you to get estimates on vehicle damage.
Settlement Offers
After an investigation, the insurance company will most likely attempt to reach a settlement agreement (Should I Accept An Insurance Settlement Offer?)with you depending on the type of damages you are claiming such as personal injury or property. You are not required to accept any settlements from an insurance carrier.
If you can’t reach an agreement with the adjuster, you may have other options, such as taking your appeal to the adjuster’s supervisor or initiating a lawsuit.
Seeking Compensation Beyond No Fault-Coverage
As the victim of a car accident, you retain the right to sue for personal injury losses including:
- Medical expenses and other economic losses exceeding $50,000;
- “Pain and Suffering” if you suffer an injury that results in significant disfigurement, a fracture, or other kinds of significant injury as defined under the no-fault law; or
- Injury resulting in death.(Wrongful Death: Who can recovery for the loss of a loved one?)
New York Car Accident Lawyers
If you aren’t sure what to do, an experienced legal professional may be able to help. Many car accident lawyers take auto accident cases on a contingency fee basis. Basically, you do not pay the lawyer his or her attorney fees if you lose the case. If you win, you pay the car accident attorney a percentage of the money you get. If you think you need a car accident lawyer lawyer, click here and complete a short contact form or Call 24/7 718-307-5554 for a Free Consultation with one of our New York Car Accident Lawyers.
Courthouses
If you do decide to sue, your personal injury attorney will provide details about where and when to appear in court. However, generally speaking if you are involved in mediation, arbitration, or a civil case in one of the five boroughs, you will likely appear in one of the following divisions:
Civil Court of the City of New York: All civil cases actions in which the controversy does not exceed $25,000 and small claims matters not exceeding $5,000.
The Supreme Court of New York Civil Division: All civil cases including automobile negligence matters for controversies over $25,000.
http://statelaws.findlaw.com/new-york-law/your-new-york-car-accident-the-basics.html
Car Accident Lawyer Near Me
Our offices are located in Brooklyn, NY. We serve the whole NYC Metro Area and represent clients in every borough of New York City. Our Car Accident Lawyers are able to travel to you if you are unable to meet at our offices due to an injury. We also provide free transportation to and from our offices.
Our office address is:
1810 Voorhies Ave
Suite #7
Brooklyn, NY 11235