New York Car Accident Lawyers

How to Handle the Aftermath of a Collision

Auto accidents occur in New York every day, and when they do it can lead to a high amount of confusion, stress and fear in the minds of those who have been injured by someone else.  This is especially true in the immediate aftermath of such an occurrence, as anyone’s mind will race when this situation arises.  While those who have been harmed in such a situation should seek the help of New York car accident lawyers, below are a few things to keep in mind if you are involved in a collision.

Step One – Safety

If you are involved in an accident, your first priority should be the safety of both you and your passengers.  If you are able to move your vehicle off to the side of the road safely, you should do so to get out of the way of traffic.  If you have any doubts, do not move your vehicle and instead attempt to get to the side of the road yourself if you are not in too much pain.

Step Two – Contact the Police

As soon as you’re able to do so, you need to contact the police so that they can report to the scene, handle the aftermath in terms of traffic and put together a police report of the incident that could prove critical if you decide to file a New York personal injury lawsuit. Do not wait for someone else to make this call – do it yourself and provide your name and your location.

Step Three – Exchange Information

After the police are on their way, you should attempt to make contact with the other driver to exchange contact and insurance information.  However, you should take this step with caution.  If the other driver does not appear approachable, do not engage him or her.  If the other driver attempts to debate the specifics of the accident, politely respond that you’d like to provide your account to police.  All you should offer at this point is to exchange information, and nothing else.

Step Four – Seek Medical Attention

After the police arrive and handle the situation, you should seek medical attention, even if you feel that your injuries are minor.  Some dangerous injuries do not present overt symptoms immediately, and you will need documentation of your injuries should you decide to file a lawsuit later.

Step Five – Contact a New York Car Accident Lawyer

Finally, as soon as you’ve handled the steps above, you should contact experienced New York car accident lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation.  You need to understand your legal rights and options as soon as possible so that you can take the next steps with a foundation of knowledge.  Contact Fitzgerald & Fitzgerald Toll Free 1-800-323-9900 today to take this step.