May 30, 2009
/24-7PressRelease/ -- As we all know, an automobile accident, even a minor one, can be a traumatic event for all those involved. After dealing with the immediate medical and injury issues arising from the accident, there are certain actions that everyone involved in an accident should consider if the situation allows.
Be Your Own Investigator
Taking photographs of the accident scene and the vehicles involved should be a priority. Most of us have a photograph function on our cell phones. Take several photographs of the scene of the accident from several angles, including from afar so it can be used later to assist a reconstruction of the accident. Take photographs of the vehicle or vehicles involved from many angles as well. Again, this will assist in the reconstruction of the accident and may be helpful to determine the speed of the vehicles at the time of impact. It is also wise to keep a disposable camera in the glove compartment or trunk. Keeping a digital camera may not be as helpful as the batteries can run out even if not used.
Keep in your vehicle a way of recording accident scene information. Take advantage of any accident information booklet or worksheet that you may have received from your insurance company, broker or agent and keep it in your vehicle. The booklet will most likely contain your insurance company, broker or agent's telephone numbers. It will also most likely have a list of all of those items that you need to record to process an insurance claim, including what information is needed from the other vehicle's driver. Even though law enforcement will record the required information, it is helpful to have the information yourself in case there is a delay in obtaining police reports or the police officer takes down the information incorrectly.
If you do not have a booklet, you should write down the following information: the exact location of the accident; directions of travel; road signs that are nearby; descriptions of the vehicles involved; license and registration information; and the names and addresses of witnesses. If you can, draw a diagram of vehicle positions.
Provide Assistance, Not Explanations
Offer to help if anyone is injured, staying within the limits of your first-aid knowledge.
Answer any questions posed to you by the police officer at the scene of the accident. Do not offer anything more than what is asked of you. Do not admit responsibility at the scene of the accident. At first you may think the accident is your fault. However, it may not be your fault under the law or the roadway conditions at the time of the accident. There is also the issue of split liability. This is where one or more person's actions may have contributed to the accident. There is no problem admitting fault at a later time, but give yourself some time to digest what happened.
If the other parties involved in the accident are hostile, get whatever information you safely can and then stay on the sidelines. Wait for the police to come, and give them your information. Do not engage the other parties to the accident. It can only lead to something bad.
Understand New York's No-Fault Insurance Laws
Dealing with the insurance claims in the aftermath of an accident can often be more traumatic than the accident itself. Some people unwittingly make the situation worse by ignoring proper insurance claim procedures. New York's no-fault insurance laws are ripe with complicated rules for filing claims properly and timely. To make sure that all the no-fault rules and requirements are met, it is best to work with a competent New York attorney right from the beginning.
If you were injured in an automobile accident, seek immediate medical care. You will be covered for your medical care by the insurance carrier of the vehicle that you are in. In cases of a pedestrian, the coverage will come from the vehicle that causes the injury. Either way, under New York no-fault laws, forms must be filled out to make sure that medical claims go to the no-fault insurance company rather than to any private health care insurance.
If the injury is so severe that you lose time from work, you may be eligible to be reimbursed for your lost wages. An attorney will be able to explain to you the requirements and limits of any lost wage claim. An attorney can also help you file for lost wages. Remember, besides the multitude of forms that need to be filled out, there are time limits imposed as well.
Please remember no-fault coverage is for injuries and lost wages. It does not have anything to do with property damage, or liability coverage in case you get sued.
Source: Foley, Griffin, Jacobson & Faria, LLP, Attorneys at Law
Website:
http://www.foleygriffin.com---
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