The aftermath of an auto accident is often disorienting, confusing, and chaotic. As you assess yourself and others at the scene for any injuries, you must also remember to gather contact and insurance information from the other driver involved in the accident. You may wonder whether you are obligated to contact the police, and you may be unsure of how to get in touch with your insurance company to report the accident. If you suffered an auto accident injury, you’ll want to do everything you can to ensure that you can obtain the compensation you deserve. Below are three common mistakes that people make following an auto accident in New York and how to avoid them.
1. Admitting Fault
It may be tempting to admit that you were partially to blame for the accident. Perhaps you aren’t sure whether you saw the other vehicle in your side mirror, and you feel compelled to share this information with the other driver, witnesses at the scene, or the police. It’s essential that you fight this temptation and refrain from admitting any blame for the accident. It’s highly likely that you don’t even know how the accident happened, so don’t automatically assume responsibility. For instance, you may think it was your fault for stopping too quickly, but it’s later determined that the other driver was actually traveling too close to you. Stick to neutral statements and don’t commit to any wrongdoing.
2. Not Contacting the Police
Even if there don’t appear to be any major injuries following the accident, you still are required to contact the police. The other driver may try to talk you out of informing the authorities, but New York state compels those involved in auto accidents to report the crash. In fact, when a law enforcement officer creates an official accident report, this document can be used to help you collect compensation later on. This objective assessment of the scene can be used to determine fault and to contradict the other driver’s attempts to pin the blame on you.
3. Taking Too Long to Take Action
Generally, the sooner you take action after a car accident, the stronger your chances will be to secure the compensation you need to get your life back on track. This means that you should visit your doctor as soon as possible to determine the extent and nature of any injuries you suffered. You should contact a personal injury attorney right away to discuss your best options for pursuing compensation. If you wait too long to file a personal injury lawsuit, the statute of limitations may expire and prevent you from ever obtaining the compensation you deserve.
If you’ve recently suffered an injury as the result of an auto accident in Westchester County, schedule a free consultation with a trusted and knowledgeable personal injury attorney at Gash & Associates, P.C. by calling (914) 328-8800 today.
