Auto Accident Injury in New York, NY

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

Auto Accident Injury Statistics In New York, 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 State Department of Health, on average there were 12,093 hospitalizations each year due to motor vehicle traffic-related injuries, hospitalizing 61.5 of every 100,000 New Yorkers.

In addition to those hospitalizations there were 136,913 accidents that required emergency services. In NYC, the #1 cause of accidents was distracted driving, and a significant number of those accidents involved pedestrians.

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.

According to the New York Police Department, vehicle collisions resulting only in property damage are not required to be reported to the police. However, a report of a motor vehicle accident must be filed with the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days of a collision. If the collision causes injury, death, or damage over $1,000 you’re obligated to call the police.

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 average cost of an accident involving an injury in New York City was about $91,000 according to the New York State Department of Transportation. If an accident involved a fatality, the average estimated cost is upwards of $3.2 million. Based on the 2014 edition of America’s Best Drivers compiled by Allstate Insurance, drivers in NYC are 28.8 percent more likely to have a vehicle accident than the national average. This means more potential for accidents, more potential for injuries, and more potential for higher than average cost.

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 NYC

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. 

The state of New York is a “no fault” state and therefore requires registered motor vehicles to have liability insurance with certain minimum coverage amounts. Vehicles must be insured with $25,000-$50,000 for bodily injury per person and $50,000/$100,000 for death. In addition there is another $10,000 minimum required for property damage per accident.

Statute of Limitations in NYC

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. New York insurance law statute of limitations gives citizens three years from the date of the accident to file any suit from. There are some exceptions surrounding limits on damages due to the states no-fault insurance law. 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 New York, 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.

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