Auto Accident Injury in Albany, NY

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Albany? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Albany, NY that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Albany, New York

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. According to the New York Department of Health, the state averages 1,098 deaths and 12,093 hospitalizations each year due to car accidents. Albany County alone averages 14 deaths and 152 hospitalizations each year due to car accidents. Across the state, the leading causes of car accidents were alcohol, distracted driving, and speeding. Fortunately, New York State recently launched a Distracted Driving Enforcement and Education Campaign called U Drive. U Text. U Pay.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police report. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

Albany car accidents involving injuries, fatalities, or damage to an unknown person’s property must be reported immediately to the police. You must stay at the crash scene and call 911. In addition, any accident involving more than $1,000 in property damage requires that you file a formal report with the New York Department of Motor Vehicles. Keep in mind that the report must be filed within 10 days of the crash. You can also obtain a copy of your accident report through the Albany Police Department.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it. 

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

According to the New York State Department of Transportation, in 2015/2016, the average cost of a car accident in the state was approximately $33,000. For a fatal accident, the average cost was upwards of $4 million, and accidents with injuries averaged around $91,500. Property damage only accidents averaged around $5,200. In Albany County, traffic crashes result in an average of $9.3 million in hospitalization charges annually, and $4.8 million in emergency department charges annually.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in New York

Liability Laws for Albany

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process. 

New York is a no-fault state, which means you are generally reimbursed by your insurance company for damages, regardless of who was at fault. Consequently, your options for pursuing a claim in court may be limited when you are injured in a car accident in Albany. According to the New York DMV, vehicles must be insured with $25,000/$50,000 for bodily injury and $50,000/$100,000 for death in an accident. In addition, there is a $10,000 minimum required for property damage per accident.

Statute of Limitations in Albany

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. In New York, the statute of limitations for auto accidents is 3 years. If you live in Albany, this means you only have 3 years from the date of your crash to file a claim for damages.

This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Albany, NY

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct. We can even help you connect with legal help across New York state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an attorney in your area!