Parker Waichman LLP

An Overview of the “Do’s and Don’ts” Following a Car Accident

The Don’ts: What to Avoid After an Accident. Car accidents can be terrifying. If you’re involved in accident, it is understandable that your emotions would be running high and perhaps it might be hard to think straight. Maybe this is your first accident; what do you do? What should you NOT do? After an automobile accident, […]

Car Accident

The Don’ts: What to Avoid After an Accident. Car accidents can be terrifying. If you’re involved in accident, it is understandable that your emotions would be running high and perhaps it might be hard to think straight.

Maybe this is your first accident; what do you do? What should you NOT do? After an automobile accident, there are certain mistakes that you should avoid. Saying or doing certain things after an accident can be used against you later in a lawsuit or an insurance claim, even if you were being well-intentioned at the time.

Parker Waichman LLP has decades of experience representing automobile accident victims. The firm continues to offer free legal consultations to individuals with questions about filing a car accident lawsuit.

Do not apologize for the car crash. This may go against your instincts, but saying you’re sorry after an accident can be used against you later.

You may say “sorry” as an automatic response after a collision, without realizing its implications. The other driver can use your apology as evidence that you admitted to causing the accident, even if you did not.

Another mistake involves failing to file a report or contacting the police when necessary. If the accident is very minor and nobody is injured, calling 911 may not always be necessary. However, you should call the police if the damage is substantial.

Drivers are required to call the police when car accident damage totals $1,001 or more

In New York, drivers are required to call the police when car accident damage totals $1,001 or more. If there was an injury, death or damage to a parked vehicle or other property, or a domestic animal was injured, call the police. Failing to call the authorities when required can carry serious penalties.

What if you were involved in a New York car accident case, but you can’t tell if the damage is over $1,000? If you are uncertain, call the police anyway. When it comes to car accidents and liability, it is better to err on the side of caution. Auto repairs are costly, and it may not take much to rack up bills at the car repair shop.

Contact an experienced personal injury attorney who knows the ins and outs of working with insurance agencies. You want to be compensated fairly for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. The insurance adjustor’s job to save the insurer money; they may be sympathetic to your situation, but it is still their responsibility to keep their employer’s best interests in mind.

Do not handle your injury claim by yourself. If your accident was caused by a negligent driver, you have legal rights. A personal injury lawyer can help obtain the best settlement possible for your injuries. Pursuing the claim on your own may result in a lower settlement. Additionally, Parker Waichman personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee, meaning that you do not pay unless we win your case.

Do not stop receiving medical treatment for your auto accident injuries if necessary. Your health takes precedence over everything. While taking time off work to receive treatment may be costly or difficult, continue to visit the doctor or hospital as necessary for your injuries.

Failing to do so could not only affect your physical recovery, but the other driver’s insurance company could use this to argue against the severity of your injuries later.

The Do’s: Documenting the Scene, Obtaining Contact Info

Do's and Don'ts Following a Car AccidentJust as there are certain things you should not do, there are also specific things you SHOULD do after a car accident. As previously stated, you should contact the police if necessary after an accident.

Similarly, you should seek medical attention for your injuries. Keep in mind that not all injuries are immediately apparent. You may want to consider seeing a doctor even if it seems like you are unharmed. Have a record of all your injuries, including medical records and medical bills. Take pictures of your injuries.

You should remain calm and be courteous to the other driver. A car accident can be stressful, but keeping your composure will help avoid a hostile interaction.

Make sure to obtain the name and contact information of all drivers involved in the accident. Obtain the names, contact information and statements from eyewitnesses. These individuals can help prove what happened later.

You should also document the other driver’s vehicle, including the make, model, color and license plate number. Document the scene. This includes taking pictures of the accident scene as well as any damage to the cars. While the accident is still fresh in your mind, document how the incident occurred. The insurance company will ask about these details later.

Check to see if there is security footage, or any other type of evidence that showed how the accident occurred. For example, some stores have cameras out front where you can see cars passing by on the street.

There are also several pieces of information you should obtain if the police are called. This includes the police officer’s name, badge number, phone number and police report number. When you contact your insurance company to file a claim, they will want this information.

Having it ready ahead of time will make the process move along more smoothly. When the police arrive to the scene of an accident, they will assess the situation and obtain statements from everyone involved.

File a claim with your insurance company as soon as you are able. The longer you wait, the more complicated things may get and details of the accident can start to fade. Tell them everything you remember about the accident.

Need Legal Help Regarding Car Accident?

The personal injury attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP offer free, no-obligation case evaluations. For more information, fill out our online contact form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
HELLO IM VERY PLEASED WITH HIGH QUALITY OF SERVICE THAT MS ASHLEY LOPILATO PROVIDED TO ME DURING MY HARD STRUGGLE WITH THE MEDICAL RECORDS DEPARTMENT AND MY COMPANY ABM EVEN THOUGH I WAS READY TO GIVE UP ASHLEY CONTINUED TO CONSOLE ME AND UP MY SPRIT WHAT CAN I NOT SAY ABOUT ASHLEY SHE IS A GREAT ASSET TO THIS FIRM I TRULY FEEL EVEN THOUGH I NEVER MET HER ASHLEY MADE ME FEEL LIKE I KNOWN HER FOR YEARS WE TALKED LAUGHED AND TRULY SPOKE OF A LEVEL OF BEYOND CLIENT ATTORNEY RELATIONSHIP PLEASE IF NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ASHELY MAKE SURE SOMEONE READS THIS LETTLE NO BETTER YET THIS DEVOTED APPRECIATION COMPLIMENT ON HER BEAUTIFUL WILL TO MAKE ME FEEL SPECIAL THANK YOU PARKER WAICHMAN FOR EMPLOYING SUCH A VERY GOOD PERSON THANKS AGAIN ASHLEY YOU NEVER SEEN BEFORE FRIEND DWAYNE BASDEN
Dwayne Basden
3 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Outstanding service!
Pamela Carter
5 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
I must have called my attorney Alex Tovstolug and his paralegal Katherine Snedecor over 70 times since my case arrived in Parker Waichman's litigation dept. Honestly, I don't remember one time where my call wasn't taken or returned the same day. With every encounter, the staff and attorneys at Parker Waichman treated me with respect, understanding and, above all, patience. Alex and Katherine always made me feel as if my case was their top priority, and that they were only concerned with getting the best outcome FOR ME. In the end, we did get the best outcome and I was privileged to see Alex at trial and at his finest! I can't thank you guys enough for taking my case, for working so hard on my case; and for always putting me first.
Sonia Demitre
5 years ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038