Car Accident in New York: Who Should I Call? A New York Auto Accident Attorney Explains

When you’re involved in a car accident in New York, knowing who to call—and when—can have major health, legal, and financial implications. The team at Gabriel Law has been handling car accident cases for many years, and as seasoned accident lawyer New York, we’ll use this post to explain the essential calls you need to make after a crash and why acting quickly is better for your case and health overall.

911 (Ambulance)

If you are injured or see someone injured in a car accident, make it your first priority to call for immediate medical assistance. No amount of compensation is worth compromising your health over. From a legal standpoint, showing that prompt action was taken to get medical treatment can dissuade any claims of failure to mitigate damages by the opposition. At the same time, the reports from the first responders can be integrated into your medical evidence.

Police

In New York, you do not legally have to call the police if the accident is a minor fender bender where the damage to property is less than $1000 and neither party sustained injuries. Alternatively, there are several occasions where you are legally required to notify the police. They are 

• When the accident has resulted in the injury or death of a person
• When the accident caused injury or death to a domestic pet
• When one or more of the vehicles in the accident cannot be safely moved
• When the other motorist looks to be intoxicated
• When the other motorist does not appear to have their license.
• When the other motorist tries to flee the scene without exchanging information
• When a parked vehicle is damaged and the owner cannot be found
• When the accident has damaged public property

Our general advice is to report the incident to the police regardless of the extent of the damages. When an accident is reported, the police will conduct an investigation and generate an accident report. This report can form the foundation of your documentary evidence used throughout the insurance negotiations and at trial. 

Auto Accident Attorney New York

If you’re involved in a serious car accident and you are unsure about your legal rights and liabilities, then the next call you make should be to an auto accident attorney in New York. They would know the law like the back of their hand and guide you through the entire process to make sure that you receive fair and equitable compensation for your injuries. 

As auto accident attorneys in New York, we at Gabriel Law recommend that you get in touch with an attorney before you contact your insurance company. This is because an attorney can take a look at your case and instruct you on what to say—and how to say it—preventing you from unwittingly saying something that can impact your compensation.

Insurance

Car accidents in New York are covered under the state’s no-fault insurance. This means that you will be compensated for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other connected expenses, regardless of your fault in the accident. New York has the no-fault insurance cap at $50,000. However, while the insurance is indeed no-fault, if you are found to share some of the blame for the accident, New York’s pure comparative negligence can be used to reduce your compensation. 

Therefore, once you’ve received guidance from your attorney, get in touch with your insurance company and inform them about the accident. While there is no strict deadline for when the insurance company must be informed, many insurance companies expect to be notified about an accident within a few hours or days. A prompt response is recommended to prevent any negative first impressions that might impact your claim.

Conclusion

Knowing who to call and what to say after a car accident in New York can have a significant impact on protecting your health, rights, and ability to recover compensation. From dialing 911 to seek medical help and contacting an experienced car accident attorney in New York, each step you take will undoubtedly build a stronger case.

If you’re on the lookout for a personal injury law firm NYC that can guide you through the legal aftermath with confidence and clarity, look no further than Gabriel Law. Schedule a free consultation with us and get the trusted support you need.