What Information Do I Need After a Car Accident?

So much happens in the aftermath of a car accident, but getting certain information from the other driver is critical. Of course, that is only possible if you are not too seriously injured to do so. The most important information needed concerns the individual’s insurance company and policy number, license number, and name, address, phone number, and email. Write down the make, model, and color of any vehicles involved in the crash. Ask the other driver for the car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Do not speak with the other driver regarding fault.

If there are witnesses, obtain their contact information and ask them to make a statement regarding what they saw. Also, obtain the names and contact info for any passengers in the other car. Calling the police immediately after the crash is also crucial, even if the accident appears minor, and no one is hurt.

If the collision was serious, the New York City personal injury lawyers at Douglas and London can help you receive the maximum compensation for your injuries. We protect your rights while holding those responsible for the crash accountable.

What to do after a car accident

Try to keep your wits about you after a crash. First, you must always stay at the scene until the police allow you to go or an ambulance arrives. Otherwise, leaving the scene of an accident is a crime.

Check to see if anyone is injured and call 911. If your vehicle can still move, pull over to the side of the road and out of the way of traffic. Put on your hazard lights, as well as putting up warning flares if safe to do so.

A police report is necessary for any accident claim. When the police are on hand, tell them exactly what happened, but do not admit fault. The officers will ask whether you are hurt. If you do not think you were injured, simply reply that you are not sure, rather than saying “no.” Ask the officer for his or her name and badge number.

The officer may give you a car accident form to fill out, which should contain all the necessary information you should collect.

Ask the police when the accident report is available and how you can get a copy. In most cases, it is sent to you within a few days, or you can pick it up at the police station.

Document the accident scene

Using your smartphone, document the accident scene thoroughly. That means taking pictures or videos of the vehicles and their damage –with license plates visible –along with your own injuries. Photograph skid marks, road debris and road conditions, and anything else that may have contributed to the crash. The more evidence you collect, the stronger a case your personal injury lawyer will be able to make on your behalf.

Write down the location and time of the accident. Note which direction the vehicles involved were traveling at the time of impact, the weather conditions, and any other pertinent information.

However, while documenting the scene, do not get in the way of the law enforcement investigation. Let the police finish their work and continue with photographing or videoing.

Seek medical attention

Anyone seriously injured in a New York City car accident should have first responders take them to the nearest emergency room. Even if you do not think your injuries were serious, or that you were injured at all, seeking prompt medication attention is critical. Some injuries, especially soft-tissue issues such as whiplash, may not appear for a day or so.

Failure to go to the emergency room or visit an urgent care provider could mean the insurance company will deny your claim if it turns out you did suffer injuries, or minimize their impact. An insurer may even allege that the injuries did not occur because of the accident, but happened afterward in an unrelated incident.

Notify the insurance company

Tell your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible, but do not make a recorded statement or sign any agreements until you have obtained legal counsel.

Contact a New York car accident lawyer

If you or someone you know was seriously injured in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence, you need the services of the experienced New York City car accident lawyers at Douglas and London. Contact us online or call 24/7 to arrange a free consultation. Over the past two decades, our attorneys have recovered $4 billion in verdicts and settlements for their clients. Since we work on a contingency basis, there is never a fee unless we win. Hablamos Espanol.