Articles
What To Do If You Are Involved in an Automobile Accident
As we embark into the 21st Century, traffic conditions on Long Island and in the Five (5) boroughs of New York City have become more congested. Unfortunately, it has now become commonplace that more traffic lends itself to more motor vehicle accidents. If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, what would you do?
1. DON'T PANIC - First and foremost is to try and remain calm and make sure that you and all involved are not gravely injured. If you or anyone else is gravely injured, seek medical attention immediately.
If you do not appear to be gravely injured and are relatively composed, continue with the following steps:
2. CALL THE POLICE - Either you or someone else should call the police to the accident scene, so that they may complete an investigation and report. Even if the accident appears initially to be minor in nature, it is always wise to call the police and make a formal record of what happened, especially if you are not at fault.
3. OBTAIN RELEVANT INFORMATION - Everyone knows there is certain information they should obtain when they have an accident, but in the heat of the moment often forget what that is. If you forget, just think of what a police officer always asks for, that is your license, registration and insurance identification card. Always in a polite and respectful fashion, ask the driver of the other car to show you the above three (3) items.
When observing the person's license, copy down his/her name, address, date of birth, license expiration date, license identification number, description and State issuing the license. See that the picture on the license looks like the person and is in fact their license.
When observing the registration, copy down the license plate number, make of the car, year of the car, vehicle identification number, expiration date and name and address of the registered owner. If the name is different than that on the license, inquire as to who the actual owner is and what their relationship is to the driver if any.
When observing the insurance identification card, copy down the name of the insurance company for the car, the policy number and term the insurance is in effect for. Make certain that the information provided on the insurance card is in fact for the car you were in the accident with.
In short, copy down all information that you feel is important or may possibly be important from the license, registration and insurance identification card, as well as the other person's current telephone number.
4. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION - Injuries received in an automobile accident do not always become apparent immediately. In fact, these injuries may often take days, weeks and sometimes months before they are fully manifested. This is why, even if you think you are okay, you should get examined by a doctor as soon as possible to get a professional opinion. If you do appear injured, it is wise to go to the hospital and get examined and tested as needed. You may have a serious injury and not even realize it at the time of the accident. These injuries, if not properly attended to by a medical professional, could become far more serious. It truly is better to be safe than sorry.
5. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS - If you have been injured in an automobile accident that was not your fault, and want to make a claim or are thinking of making a claim for your personal injury and paint and suffering, you should promptly seek the opinion of an attorney.
Insurance companies have teams of lawyers working on their side to help them, and will often have representatives contact you immediately following an accident. Although they may act friendly and helpful, they have underlying financial concerns and motives. They may try to take statements from you, record your conversation with them and even may promise or offer you money to settle and not go to a lawyer. Often this is becuase they know your claim is potentially worth far more than what they are offering and if you retain an attorney, the insurance company is likely to pay more to settle your claim.
When you are in a motor vehicle accident, there are many complicated laws, rules and time limits that may apply. Rest assured, the insurance companies are well aware of all of these from No-Fault to property damage to personal injury. You should know all of you rights too, and therefore should speak with an attorney before speaking to anyone from an insurance company. If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an automobile accident there are a few things to remember. Don't panic and make sure nobody is gravely injured. Call the police so that they may complete an investigation and report. Obtain all important information from the other driver's license, registration and insurance identification card. Lastly, seek all necessary medical attention and know your rights.
As we embark into the 21st Century, traffic conditions on Long Island and in the Five (5) boroughs of New York City have become more congested. Unfortunately, it has now become commonplace that more traffic lends itself to more motor vehicle accidents. If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, what would you do?
1. DON'T PANIC - First and foremost is to try and remain calm and make sure that you and all involved are not gravely injured. If you or anyone else is gravely injured, seek medical attention immediately.
If you do not appear to be gravely injured and are relatively composed, continue with the following steps:
2. CALL THE POLICE - Either you or someone else should call the police to the accident scene, so that they may complete an investigation and report. Even if the accident appears initially to be minor in nature, it is always wise to call the police and make a formal record of what happened, especially if you are not at fault.
3. OBTAIN RELEVANT INFORMATION - Everyone knows there is certain information they should obtain when they have an accident, but in the heat of the moment often forget what that is. If you forget, just think of what a police officer always asks for, that is your license, registration and insurance identification card. Always in a polite and respectful fashion, ask the driver of the other car to show you the above three (3) items.
When observing the person's license, copy down his/her name, address, date of birth, license expiration date, license identification number, description and State issuing the license. See that the picture on the license looks like the person and is in fact their license.
When observing the registration, copy down the license plate number, make of the car, year of the car, vehicle identification number, expiration date and name and address of the registered owner. If the name is different than that on the license, inquire as to who the actual owner is and what their relationship is to the driver if any.
When observing the insurance identification card, copy down the name of the insurance company for the car, the policy number and term the insurance is in effect for. Make certain that the information provided on the insurance card is in fact for the car you were in the accident with.
In short, copy down all information that you feel is important or may possibly be important from the license, registration and insurance identification card, as well as the other person's current telephone number.
4. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION - Injuries received in an automobile accident do not always become apparent immediately. In fact, these injuries may often take days, weeks and sometimes months before they are fully manifested. This is why, even if you think you are okay, you should get examined by a doctor as soon as possible to get a professional opinion. If you do appear injured, it is wise to go to the hospital and get examined and tested as needed. You may have a serious injury and not even realize it at the time of the accident. These injuries, if not properly attended to by a medical professional, could become far more serious. It truly is better to be safe than sorry.
5. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS - If you have been injured in an automobile accident that was not your fault, and want to make a claim or are thinking of making a claim for your personal injury and paint and suffering, you should promptly seek the opinion of an attorney.
Insurance companies have teams of lawyers working on their side to help them, and will often have representatives contact you immediately following an accident. Although they may act friendly and helpful, they have underlying financial concerns and motives. They may try to take statements from you, record your conversation with them and even may promise or offer you money to settle and not go to a lawyer. Often this is becuase they know your claim is potentially worth far more than what they are offering and if you retain an attorney, the insurance company is likely to pay more to settle your claim.
When you are in a motor vehicle accident, there are many complicated laws, rules and time limits that may apply. Rest assured, the insurance companies are well aware of all of these from No-Fault to property damage to personal injury. You should know all of you rights too, and therefore should speak with an attorney before speaking to anyone from an insurance company. If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an automobile accident there are a few things to remember. Don't panic and make sure nobody is gravely injured. Call the police so that they may complete an investigation and report. Obtain all important information from the other driver's license, registration and insurance identification card. Lastly, seek all necessary medical attention and know your rights.
The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situtation.