There are certain things you should do if you are involved in a car accident in New York or New Jersey to help those involved and protect your rights should there be a legal claim. The Ginarte law firm can help you with these and other steps required for successfully dealing with a serious car accident and a legal claim to obtain compensation for your losses.
Take Care of People
✓ Determine whether you are injured and ask whether your passengers have been hurt. Approach the other vehicles to see whether anyone is hurt. If anyone has been injured, call 911 to request emergency medical assistance.
✓ Work to diffuse stress. Be polite and businesslike as you deal with others. Do not argue with the other driver or passengers. Do not make accusations. Do not admit fault.
✓ If you do not need emergency care, you should still see a doctor as soon as possible. Some serious injuries are not immediately evident. Seeing a doctor also begins the process of documenting your injury in case you do have a claim.
Document Your Car Accident
✓ Call the police to report the car accident if you have not already done so.
✓ If you are able, take photos of the accident scene, the position of the cars involved, the damage to each vehicle, skid marks, debris and any damage to road signs, guardrails, etc. Photograph any road or environmental issues that may have contributed to the accident, such as construction or significant potholes, obstructed views, etc. Photograph your injuries and anything else that tells the tale of the accident.
✓ Get names and contact information from witnesses, including passengers in all the vehicles that were involved.
✓ Write down how the accident happened while it is fresh in your memory.
✓ Start a file and save all documents from your accident, such as the police report, medical records, car repair estimates, bills, receipts, correspondence, etc.
Cooperate With Police
✓ Get your driver’s license, registration and insurance information ready for police. Make sure you get this information about the other drivers from the responding police officer or by asking the drivers for it.
✓ Answer the responding officer’s questions truthfully but briefly. Don’t provide information he or she does not ask for. Do not admit fault for the accident and do not speculate about what might have caused the crash.
✓ Ask how you can get a copy of the police report, and make sure you get one as soon as possible.
Contact Your Insurance Company
✓ If there is any vehicle damage or an injury, you must report the accident to your insurer to initiate a claim. Again, answer questions truthfully, but do not make accusations or accept blame. Don’t provide information that is not requested and do not agree to make a written or recorded statement without the advice of your lawyer.
✓ Follow the company’s instructions about filing a claim, obtaining repair estimates, etc.
✓ If the other driver’s insurance company contacts you, decline to answer their questions and refer them to your attorney or insurance carrier.
✓ Never sign anything about the accident that your insurance company or the other driver’s carrier presents to you. You might be signing away your right to an appropriate settlement.
✓ Do not accept a settlement without asking an experienced car accident attorney to review it.
Call a Car Accident Attorney Experienced with Claims in New York or New Jersey
✓ Get a free initial consultation with a New York or New Jersey car accident lawyer from the Ginarte law firm. If you already have an insurance settlement offer, bring it to have it reviewed.
✓ Rely on our car accident attorneys to investigate your crash and protect your right to compensation for injuries and other losses. In some cases a lawyer can help you obtain additional compensation from third parties liable for your car accident and injuries.
✓ Concentrate on recovering from your injuries while your attorney deals with insurers, creditors and other aspects of a car accident claim. Once you have engaged the Ginarte law firm, there are many steps to pursuing a claim that our firm can handle for you.
Contact the Ginarte Law Firm About Your NY / NJ Car Accident
Check off a big item on your car accident to-do list by contacting Ginarte Gonzalez Winograd L.L.P., as soon as possible after a car accident that has caused serious personal injuries to you or a loved one. Our experienced New York and New Jersey car accident lawyers can provide you with valuable advice from moments after your accident through resolution of your case. We’ll investigate your accident and injuries, and work to obtain the best possible settlement available to you.