Steps to Secure the Maximum Compensation After a Crash: The Best Car Accident Lawyer in Queens Explains.

What are the steps you need to take after an accident?

Step 01: Seek immediate medical attention.

At the end of the day, your greatest asset is your health and well-being. Therefore, the first thing you need to do in the aftermath of a car accident is to seek immediate medical attention. Even if you are able to walk away from the accident supposedly unscathed, it is still crucial to seek medical attention since the effects of certain injuries do not immediately appear.

From a legal standpoint, seeking medical attention is important for two reasons. First, the medical reports, prescriptions, and other medical documents can serve as valuable evidence to show the extent of the injuries you have suffered during the accident. If the need arises, you can even call on the first responders or doctors that treated you to testify as expert witnesses. Secondly, by having timely treatment, you can prevent the opposition from successfully presenting the argument that you failed to mitigate the damages you suffered by delaying medical treatment.

Step 02: Report the accident to the proper authorities.

In New York, you must report an accident to the police if the accident causes the death or injury of a person or if the damage to property exceeds $1000. On the other hand, if the accidents are minor accidents, so-called ‘fender benders,’ there is no legal requirement to report them to the police.

However, as car accident attorneys in Queens, our advice is to lodge a report, no matter the extent of the damage. A police report is an unbiased third-party account of the accident after the fact and is an important piece of evidence when it comes to determining who is at fault for the accident.

Other than reporting the accident to the police, you must also file an accident report with the New York DMV. The accident report must be filed within 10 days of the accident, and failing to file a report will be considered a misdemeanor. As a result, your license or registration may be suspended until the report is filed.

Step 03: Gather and preserve the evidence.

Your negotiating position is only as strong as the evidence you can bring to the table. Therefore, it is absolutely imperative that you gather and preserve any and all evidence related to the car accident and build a strong and compelling case with the help of a car accident attorney in Queens. The evidence that can be presented in a car accident case comes in all shapes and sizes. They include:

• High-quality photographs of the injuries, scene of the accident, and damage to property.
• Surveillance footage
• Police report
• Medical report
• Witness statements
• Testimony from expert witnesses
• Data from mobile devices
• Income and employment records

Step 04: Contact a car accident attorney in Queens.

When the time comes to claim compensation for your injuries, you have many obstacles to overcome, and it can be overwhelming. That is why you need to call on the services of an experienced car accident attorney in New York and lift the enormous weight off your shoulders. You can rely on your attorney to:

• Conduct a detailed investigation into the accident to determine cause and fault.
• Explain your legal rights, obligations, and liabilities and set your expectations.
• Gather all the relevant evidence to build your case.
• Handle all the paperwork and administrative tasks in a timely manner.
• Handle the negotiations with insurance companies and secure the best settlement.
• Represent you in court to protect your rights and fight for fair compensation.

Step 05: Inform your insurance company about the accident.

In New York, the place you claim compensation for your car accident injuries is your insurer, and you are expected to report the accident as soon as possible. However, we want to emphasize that your insurance company is not your friend, and they will do everything they can to save as much money as possible and wash their hands of any liability. As such, we recommend that you make the call once you’ve fully understood your rights and liabilities and have secured proper legal representation.

What are the things you should not do after a crash?  

While there are many important things you need to do following a car accident, there are also things that you should not do. These actions will negatively impact your rights and ultimately reduce your chances of claiming full compensation.

• Do not refuse any medical treatment.
• Do not admit fault or apologize for the incident.
• Do not leave the scene without sharing insurance information.
• Do not sign any document without legal representation.
• Do not post about the accident on social media.
• Do not accept the first settlement offered by the insurance company.

If you have done any of the above, the opposing side can use it as evidence to pass the full blame/partial blame of the accident.

Take the right steps and secure the maximum compensation with Gabriel Law.

When it comes to securing the maximum compensation for your injuries, everything you do (and do not do) after an accident matters. From receiving immediate medical attention to gathering evidence at the scene, every step matters to protect you from any blame and bolster your case. However, doing everything by yourself can be extremely challenging, which is why you need the help of an experienced car accident attorney Queens.

At Gabriel Law, your victory is personal to us. We ensure that our clients' voices are heard, rights are protected, and they receive the maximum compensation they deserve. So if you are looking for an attorney to handle your case, contact us at (212) 497-2421 or email us suren@gabriellegal.com and schedule your free consultation.