Making decisions about what to do first after a car crash in New York City is extremely difficult. Decisions you make could significantly impact your future. When dealing with insurance companies, one innocently-made statement could seriously compromise your right to fair compensation.
Learn why your first steps after a car accident in New York City are so critical to your claim, including your initial phone call, and how we can help.
If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident in NYC, contact our dedicated New York City car accident lawyers at The Bongiorno Law Firm. In a free consultation, we can discuss your situation and help you with your next steps. We fight to make sure our clients recover the maximum possible compensation. Let us manage the insurance companies while you focus on your recovery.
Request a FREE consultation today: (516) 741-4170
Understanding Your Immediate Responsibilities After a NYC Car Crash
The moments after a NYC car accident demand quick, decisive action protecting your safety and legal rights. New York law requires you to stay at the scene, call 911 if injuries occur or if damage exceeds $1,000 and to exchange information with other drivers – including names, phone numbers and insurance details.
Document everything while on-site by taking photos of vehicle damage and the accident scene, collecting witness contact information and being sure to receive medical attention even if you feel fine. Most importantly, avoid apologizing or discussing fault at the scene, as these statements can hurt your case later.
NYC law requires car accident victims to report accidents to their insurance company. When speaking to insurers, keep the report brief and stick to the facts until consulting with a legal professional.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me in a New York City Car Accident?
Our legal team develops strategies and works diligently to protect clients against well-known insurance company tactics while maximizing your claim’s potential. We manage every aspect of your claim by:
- Contacting insurance companies to prevent recorded statements made under pressure
- Preserving vital evidence like traffic camera footage before its 30-day deletion
- Meeting New York’s strict legal deadlines
- Calculating full compensation, including future medical costs and lost wages
- Aggressively negotiating for the full and fair value of your claim
- Working with accident reconstruction experts, when necessary to establish liability
While you focus on recovery, your attorney levels the legal playing field against powerful insurance companies, navigating complex legal procedures to protect your rights.
When You Should Call a Lawyer Before Your Insurance Company
Your first phone call after a car crash in New York City could impact your compensation outcome. Understanding when to contact an attorney first – instead of your insurance company – could protect you from costly mistakes and ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Serious Injuries Are Involved
When you or other passengers have sustained significant injuries, particularly those requiring emergency care or ongoing treatment, immediate legal guidance helps protect your right to comprehensive medical coverage and future care costs.
Fault Is Unclear
In accidents involving multiple vehicles or when liability is questionable, speaking to an attorney first prevents insurance companies from using your initial statement to shift blame unfairly.
Your Vehicle Has Major Damage Significant
Vehicle damage often indicates a high-value claim that insurance companies will fight harder to minimize, making early legal representation crucial for proper compensation.
The Other Driver Is Uninsured
Discovering the other driver lacks insurance or has inadequate coverage requires immediate legal intervention to explore other possible avenues for compensation, possibly including your own uninsured motorist coverage.
Insurance Adjusters Contact You Quickly
If insurance representatives reach out unusually fast after your accident, it often signals they are trying to settle quickly before you understand the full extent of your damages and is usually a sign to contact immediate legal protection.
When to Notify Your Insurance Company and What to Say
You need to notify the insurance company after being involved in a car accident, but while doing so, it is important to be mindful of what you say. Your attorney can manage this call on your behalf. If you choose to speak to the insurance company, be careful to avoid rambling and stick to the basic facts:
- Key Details About the Crash: Report the accident date, time, location and whether police responded (including the police report number)
- Contact Details of Those Involved: Provide other drivers’ contact and insurance information
- Basic Facts About Events Leading Up to the Crash: Keep your responses brief and stick to verifiable facts, avoiding any discussion of fault or injury details
- Do Not Give a Recorded Statement: Decline any requests to give a recorded statement until after you have spoken with an attorney.
- Document Each Communication: When speaking with the insurance company, note the insurance representative’s name and employee ID, along with the date and time of your call. Write down what you talked about with the adjuster.
The initial conversation with your insurance company can significantly impact the outcome of your claim, so taking a careful, fact-based approach can help preserve your right to full compensation.
Potential Risks of Contacting the Insurance Company First
Contacting your insurance company immediately after a NYC car crash can undermine your claim before you understand the full extent of your injuries. Insurance adjusters record all conversations, looking for statements like “I’m okay” or casual apologies that can later be used to minimize your claim or shift blame onto you.
Early conversations with insurance representatives often lead to costly mistakes, including accepting quick settlements that fail to cover long-term medical needs, signing broad medical releases that give access to unrelated health records or providing recorded statements that become permanent parts of your claim file. These seemingly innocent conversations can significantly reduce your compensation, especially when adjusters use pressure tactics before you have a chance to evaluate your injuries or understand your legal rights.
Need Legal Help After a NYC Car Accident? Call Our Trusted Law Firm Today
The difference between calling an insurance company or an attorney first after a NYC car crash can dramatically impact your compensation. One early conversation with an insurance adjuster could compromise your rights to full compensation and reduce your settlement.
At The Bongiorno Law Firm, we are committed to protecting your legal rights and building a strong case to maximize your settlement. We have secured millions for our clients. We look forward to getting you favorable results! There are no upfront costs or fees to pay when we represent you. We only get paid if you do.
The Bongiorno Law Firm. We fight to get you results. Call (516) 741-4170 today.
