What to do After a Car Accident: A Helpful Checklist

Having a car accident, particularly one where you or others suffer injuries, can be upsetting. You might be unsure of what to do next, but there are steps you need to take to protect your rights. Here at the Schlitt Law Firm, we have helped many, many people and families injured in car accidents and we have prepared this Car Accident Check List with Six Steps:

Step One: Check on Everyone’s Health

Make sure that everyone involved in the car crash if okay. If not or if there is any doubt about injuries, call 911 for emergency medical help. If anyone has hurt their neck or back, do not move that person; wait for the emergency medical technicians to arrive.

Step Two: Exchange Information

You should exchange information with the other driver or drivers involved. Get his or her name, address, and insurance information, and give him or her yours. Write down his license number form his driver’s license and his plate number. Remember, if you leave the scene of an accident, you could be charged with a hit and run.

You will best protect your interest if you call the police, even in a minor incident. The police will make sure to get all drier’s accurate information. Just as importantly, the police will create a report that will be very important for any insurance or injury claim. Having the report will make your life much easier, especially in dealing with insurance companies.

Step Three: Take Care of Your Health

If you have any injury, take care of your health. Go to the hospital, see your doctor, or visit an urgent care center – whatever you feel is necessary to take care of yourself, please do it. Sometimes, you might decide not to go for immediate medical treatment only to find yourself in pain the next day or days later. Some injuries do not present themselves right away. Even if you wait to get medical help, it’s better for you to get treatment later rather than never.

Step Four: Gather Information

Take photos of the accident scene and of any damage to your vehicle; photographs are always useful evidence to have. See if there are any witnesses to the accident and get their contact information if they are willing to give it. When the police arrive, give a statement to them. Make sure to get a copy of the police report as you will need it for insurance purposes and to pursue a claim for compensation of injuries.

But remember, do not admit fault. You shouldn’t make any comments about what happened or who is at fault, unless you are answering questions from a police officer. Anything you say to the other driver(s) or to the witnesses can be used against you later by an insurance company.

Step Five: Notify Your Insurance Company

Let your insurance company know about the accident – enable them to help you! Besides, failure to notify your insurance company could result in a denial of any claim. If you are injured in any way, you want to file a No Fault claim. No Fault will cover any treatment for injuries occurring in the car accident; they are the primary payer, even over your health insurance. More information about No Fault is available in our free New York No Fault Guide. If you want to open a No Fault claim, you need to do so within 30 days of the car accident. Contact your insurance company to file for No Fault benefits.

For the clients we represent in auto accidents, we take care of filing the No Fault claim and application on behalf of our clients.

Step Six: Contact an Attorney

If you or a family member has been injured, you should contact a New York personal injury attorney experienced with motor vehicle cases. That attorney can talk to you about the accident and the nature of your injuries, and help assess your claim to determine the best way to move forward. The attorney can make sure you apply for and receive your No Fault coverage, and the attorney can handle the communications with the insurance company for the other driver involved to protect your rights.

Don’t speak with an insurance adjuster for the other car until you’ve spoken with an attorney. The adjuster has their company’s best interests in mind, not yours. Even though he or she may seem friendly, remember, they work for the insurance company and not you.

If you want to learn more, you can read here about handling car accident claims and read here about car accident cases.

We have helped many clients who have been in car accidents. We take care of the legal and insurance issues so that our clients can focus on their health and getting on with their lives. If you have questions or need help, please call us at 1-800-660-1466 or send an email. The consultation is always free.

Carol L. Schlitt
The Schlitt Law Firm
New York Car Accident Attorney
1-800-660-1466
Contact@SchlittLaw.com
This material is intended for informational uses only. It is not meant as legal advice. To receive legal advice, you should consult an attorney. This constitutes attorney advertising. Remember, past results do not guarantee similar outcomes in the future.