Auto Accident Injury in New York

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in New York? 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 NY that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in 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. In 2018, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there were 889 fatal auto accidents with a total of 943 deaths in New York. The New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee notes there were 11,119 serious injuries in motor vehicle crashes in 2018.

Deaths from accidents were mostly those riding in cars with pedestrians closely behind and pickups or SUVs and motorcycles rounding out the top four. Only eight deaths were due to drivers or passengers in large trucks.  The number of injuries and deaths has been steadily decreasing since 2014. The top causes of accidents were alcohol, distracted driving and speeding.

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.

In New York, the Department of Motor Vehicles explains that you must file an accident report within 10 days if the accident involves injury, death or property damage of $1,000 or more. If there is only property damage, you have to file the report on your own. Any accident with injuries requires notifying law enforcement and remaining at the scene until they arrive.

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

The New York State Department of Transportation states that for 2015/2016, the average accident cost was $33,000. For a fatal accident, the average cost was $220,200, accidents with injuries cost $91,500 and property-damage-only accidents averaged $5,200.

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 NY

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 where everyone pays for their own damages and expenses in an accident. If damages exceed $50,000, the drivers may be able to make a claim in court to the at-fault driver.

Statute of Limitations in NY

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. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims, which includes auto accidents, is three years in New York, according to the New York State Unified Court System.

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 In New York

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.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in NY!

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