After being involved in an auto accident the first thing you must do is determine whether you or the other driver (or any passengers) suffered any significant injuries. Next, you must seek medical attention and report the accident to the police department and your insurance carrier. From there things become slightly less clear. A number of questions may race through your head, including what you should do if you have been injured and the other party was at fault.
If you have been injured in an auto accident and believe it was the fault of another driver, hiring an experienced New York auto accident attorney at Edelsteins, Faegenburg & Brown, LLP can help you identify the next steps that need to be taken to recover for your injuries.
What to Do Immediately After the Auto Accident
After making sure that you and your passengers have not suffered any injuries that require hospitalization or surgery, you and the other driver need to exchange information. This will help you ensure that the other driver is an insured motorist and there will be an insurance company to pay for any significant medical bills that may arise down the road. Further, a common mistake that can lead to legal problems down the road is admitting fault. Frequently, drivers are happy that everyone appears to have escaped an auto accident alive, and rush to admit fault. This is a mistake.
New York is a comparative negligence state. This means that any negligence on your part will reduce the amount of recovery. For example, if you admit to the other driver that you looked away when the accident occurred, even though he or she was talking on a cellular phone at the time, this admission may be admissible at a potential personal injury trial and may reduce the amount of recovery you ultimately receive for your injuries. Accordingly, it is important that you do not admit fault of any kind to the other driver following an accident.
What to Do if you have been Injured?
Auto accident injuries, while seemingly minor, can lead to major medical problems. Therefore, you should immediately seek medical attention following an accident if you even suspect that you have suffered an injury. A personal injury auto accident can lead to brain injury, spinal cord injury, chronic back or other pain, and permanent disability. Such injuries can strip you from the ability to do the things you want and need to do in life, such as entertainment activities and work.
Why Should I Hire a New York Auto Accident Attorney?
Auto accident cases can be complex and can contain multiple legal issues and unique facts that need to be evaluated throughout the proceedings. Additionally, the other driver’s insurance company will have a team of attorneys who are skilled at defending cases of this nature and will attempt to prove that the accident was your fault, regardless of whether you made any such admission. Accordingly, if you are seeking to recover for injuries suffered in an auto accident, do not wait to call the experienced Brooklyn car accident attorneys at Edelsteins, Faegenburg & Brown, LLP at (718) 875-3550 for a free consultation. We will evaluate the issues in your case and advise you as to the proper course of action immediately.