What To Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Long Island, NY

 

What To Do After A Car Accident

Long Island, NY, is home to some of the riskiest roads in the entire New York City metropolitan area. Recent reports have revealed over 100 people die annually in car accidents that take place on Route 25, also known as Jericho Highway, and Route 27, also known as Sunrise Highway.

Tens of thousands of non-fatal car accidents also take place on these roads and other streets scattered throughout Long Island, NY, each year. If you’re ever involved in one, begin working with a Long Island car accident lawyer to see if filing a car accident lawsuit makes sense.

Before touching base with the premier car accident lawyer in Long Island, though, make sure you know what else to do in the immediate aftermath of a car crash. Here are the steps you should take after a Long Island car accident.

Dial 911

It doesn’t matter if you were involved in a minor fender-bender that did very little damage to your vehicle or a major crash that led to serious injuries. Either way, the first thing you should do following a car accident in Long Island, NY, is pick up your phone and call 911.

Even if you suspect other people near the scene of your car accident have already called 911, it wouldn’t hurt to call yourself. Others might not see the accident from the same perspective as you, and they might not be able to provide a 911 operator with detailed information on the injuries that people sustained.

Seek Medical Treatment

Between two and three million people experience injuries from motor vehicle crashes each year across the U.S. If you were badly injured during a car accident in Long Island, NY, you might not have much say over whether or not you receive medical treatment on the scene. Paramedics might arrive and start providing the necessary medical care.

If, however, you don’t sense that you were seriously injured during a crash, you might not think you need to seek medical treatment. Try to gain access to it anyway, since there is always a chance you might have underlying issues without even realizing it.

At the very least, take a trip to a local hospital in Long Island following a car accident for evaluation. Medical professionals can check for signs of head, neck, and back injuries. They can also run tests to uncover any medical problems that might not be obvious immediately.

Speak With Police

Long Island, NY, police will show up on the scene of your car accident shortly after you call 911. They’ll launch an investigation into what happened during the accident by speaking with those involved and analyzing evidence.

Set aside a few minutes to talk to the police about your car accident so you can tell your side of the story. They’ll use the information you provide and the statements that other drivers and witnesses give to create a police report pertaining to your crash. This is one of the many pieces of evidence your Long Island personal injury attorney can use. 

Talk to Witnesses

The police shouldn’t be the only ones speaking with witnesses on the scene of your car accident in Long Island. If you’re OK health-wise to do it, you should also try talking to as many witnesses as you can so you can find out what they saw from their different vantage points.

Additionally, you should ask any witnesses you talk to if they’re willing to share their contact information. You might need to use it later on when working with a Long Island car accident lawyer to file a claim against the at-fault driver in your accident.

Gather Evidence

You don’t necessarily need to be a world-class detective to collect evidence at the scene of a car accident in Long Island, NY. As long you haven’t sustained any serious injuries that prevent you from doing it, walk around the scene and gather as much evidence as you can, in case you decide to file a lawsuit against an at-fault driver down the line.

Once upon a time, collecting evidence from a car crash was difficult for the average person. But all you need to do when gathering evidence from a car accident scene in 2024 is pull out your smartphone and start snapping photographs and taking videos.

The last thing you want to do is pass up the chance to gather key evidence like this. You won’t always be able to do it once the scene of a car crash has been cleaned up, so look to spring right into action to secure evidence while it’s still fresh. A Long Island auto accident attorney will be glad you did if you hire them to file a claim on your behalf.

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Long Island

When you hit this point in the aftermath of a Long Island, NY, car accident, you may be tempted to give your auto insurance company a call to notify them about your crash. However, if you say the wrong thing to your car insurance company, it could make it difficult to file a lawsuit later on. It could also impact your ability to collect compensation by leaning on an experienced Long Island accident claims lawyer for help.That is why it is important to contact a car crash lawyer in Long Island so that you can take proper legal action against an at-fault driver.

Search for a reputable auto accident law firm in Long Island that can lend a hand as you seek justice in your case. They can launch a full investigation into your car accident and help determine who was responsible for it.

File a Personal Injury Lawsuit

When you have a Long Island vehicle accident lawyer you can trust in your corner, you can start filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver in your car crash case. They can handle putting together the proper paperwork for your suit.

They can also take whatever evidence you already have and add to it so that you have the strongest car accident claim possible. Hiring the right Long Island car accident lawyer will make all the difference during this stage since it can be confusing to file a personal injury lawsuit if you don’t have a legal background.

Need a Long Island Car Accident Lawyer? Call Us Now

An average of around 20 car accident fatalities occur on Long Island every month, meaning there isn’t any shortage of car crash lawyers in the area. The Law Office of Frank J. Cassisi, P.C. can provide you with a Mineola car accident lawyer. Call us at (516) 294-5050 today to talk to a Long Island car accident lawyer.

FAQs

Why Should I File a Car Accident Injury Lawsuit in Long Island, NY?

You should file a car accident injury lawsuit in Long Island, NY, in an attempt to recover damages that you can use to cover medical bills, lost wages, and more.

How Long Do I Have To File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Long Island?

Generally, you have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit in Long Island following a car accident or another type of accident involving injuries. However, in cases that involve a municipality, you ninety (90) days to file a notice of claim, and one year and ninety days to file a lawsuit. 

Do I Need To Hire a Long Island Car Accident Lawyer To File a Lawsuit?

No, you don’t need to hire a Long Island car accident lawyer to file a lawsuit. However, doing it may increase your chances of successfully negotiating a settlement or winning a judgment in your case.

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