Craig Rosenbaum | July 21, 2023 | Car Accidents
Most car accidents in NYC must be reported to the DMV and/or the police. Even if your car crash does not meet the requirements, you must remain at the accident scene and exchange information with the other driver involved in the crash. Promptly reporting a car accident is generally in your best interest because you might decide to file a personal injury claim, and you can use the report to your benefit.
Deadline To File a Car Accident Report in Brooklyn, New York
According to New York traffic laws, you are required to report a car accident to the New York Department of Motor Vehicles within ten days if any of the following apply:
- Someone was injured in the crash
- The accident resulted in a fatality
- The collision caused more than $1,000 in property damage
You must use the approved DMV form to report a motor vehicle accident. In addition to reporting the accident to the DMV, if the crash caused an injury or death, you are required to report the crash to the police immediately. The best way to report a Brooklyn car accident to the police is to call 911.
Should I Call the Police After a Brooklyn Car Accident?
Generally, it is a good idea to call the police after a car accident in Brooklyn. It can be difficult to know whether your car sustained more than $1,000 in damages until it is inspected by a mechanic or repair shop.
Additionally, you might experience delayed injury symptoms hours or days after the accident. Therefore, you might not know you are injured at the accident scene.
Having an official accident report can help with insurance claims. An insurance company might not treat your claim seriously if you did not report the accident to the police. The company might allege your failure to report the crash was because you were not injured.
Likewise, seeking prompt medical treatment after a car accident is important. Your medical records help prove that the car accident caused your injuries. Delays in medical care could hurt your personal injury case.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Brooklyn, NY?
The steps you take following a car crash can help or hurt your chance of recovering fair compensation for your injuries and damages. Steps you can take to protect your rights after a car crash include:
- Remain at the accident scene, call 911 to report the crash, and request help.
- Do not discuss the crash with the other driver, admit fault, or apologize.
- If it is safe to do so, take pictures of the accident scene and make a video using your cell phone.
- Gather contact information for eyewitnesses and bystanders.
- Do not refuse medical services at the accident scene. If you do not go to the emergency room, see your family doctor promptly.
- Report the accident to your insurance company, but do not discuss fault until you talk with a Brooklyn car accident lawyer.
- Do not agree to provide a statement or answer questions on a recorded call. Always ask insurance companies if they are recording the call.
Insurance adjusters are high-skilled and trained professionals. They know how to gather information and get people to talk. It is best to allow an attorney to handle the communications with the insurance company so that you avoid saying something that could hurt your case.
Should I Call a Brooklyn Personal Injury Lawyer After a Car Accident?
A Brooklyn personal injury lawyer can advise you of your rights after a car accident. Most attorneys offer a free consultation, so it does not cost you anything to get their advice. They also take cases on a contingency fee, so it would not cost you any money upfront to hire an NYC car accident lawyer.
The insurance company has its best interests in mind when processing car accident claims. Therefore, it will pay the least amount possible to settle your claim. If you are not aware of your rights, you could accept a settlement offer that is much lower than the value of your claim.
A Brooklyn car accident lawyer will fight to get you the maximum amount of your economic and non-economic damages. Your attorney also protects you from bad faith insurance practices as well as allegations of contributory fault, which could reduce the money you receive for your claim.
Before you sign any documents or accept a settlement offer for a car accident claim, take advantage of a free case review from an attorney. That way, you can ensure you are doing what is in your best interest instead of benefiting the insurance company.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in New York City
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Manhattan, NY, and need legal help, contact our New York City car accident lawyers at Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. to schedule a free consultation.
Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C.
100 Wall St 15th Floor
New York, NY 10005
(212) 514-5007