Even if you consistently practice safe driving habits, accidents happen. Suffering an injury in an auto accident can be overwhelming, especially if you’re suddenly facing costly medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses in addition to focusing on your physical recovery. Let’s take a look at three key actions to take following an auto accident in New York state so that you can get your life back on track as soon as possible.
1. Seek Medical Attention as Soon as Possible
Immediately following the accident, assess yourself for any injuries. If the injuries are severe enough to warrant an ambulance, call 911 as soon as you can. If your injuries seem more minor, or you don’t have any obvious symptoms, it’s still a good idea to schedule an appointment with your doctor within the next few days to ensure that you haven’t suffered a concussion or other harder-to-detect type of injury. The documentation that your doctor will provide can play a pivotal role in building you a successful personal injury claim, should you decide to pursue one.
2. Gather Evidence While You Can
In general, the more evidence you can gather at the scene of the accident, the more likely it is that you’ll be able to create a compelling personal injury claim later on. If you are physically able to do so, use your phone to take photos or videos of the scene. The images you capture can illustrate the position of the vehicles, the extent of the damage, the weather conditions, any road obstructions, and other key details that will be useful when it comes time for you to pursue a personal injury claim. You should also ask for the contact and insurance information of the other driver, as well as the contact information of any witnesses who are willing to provide a statement detailing what they saw.
3. Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
While you may not immediately consider pursuing a personal injury claim, it’s a good idea to reach out to a knowledgeable personal injury attorney who can help you understand your options for pursuing compensation. If your claim is successful, the settlement can be used to cover medical costs, lost wages, and other expenses that you’ve suffered as a result of the accident. Your attorney will assess the details of your situation and help you determine the best path forward.
To learn more about your options for filing a personal injury claim in Westchester County, contact the dedicated legal team at Gash & Associates, P.C. at (914) 328-8800 to arrange a free consultation. All our personal injury cases are taken on contingency, meaning you don’t have to pay attorney fees unless we win. Get in touch today.
