I was injured in a car accident — where do I go for help?

It is not uncommon for drivers in New York to think that car accidents only happen to other people. When they find themselves involved in a collision, they are often unsure of what is expected of them and what to do next. Drivers often think that they have to sit back and wait for their insurance company to pay the medical expenses, not realizing that the insurers will likely do whatever they can to minimize the payout. Accident victims usually benefit from consulting with a motor vehicle accident attorney to guide them through the legalities after a car accident.

Drivers who were involved in car accidents where injuries occurred — to themselves or another person — have to inform the New York Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days. Regardless of who was at fault, any accident where injuries were present also has to be reported to the police. The police will then see to the filing of its accident report with the DMV.

If you have suffered injuries, your first concern should be to recover, and many accident injuries result in extended periods of absence from work. Depending on the type of injury, you may also need extensive rehabilitation treatment. While it is not difficult to calculate the accumulating medical expenses, you may need legal assistance with determining the value to claim for future medical expenses, along with pain and suffering and other damges.

New York drivers who are the injured victims of a car accident that was caused by the negligence of another party have the right to pursue recovery of damages. By consulting with an experienced legal professional, the circumstances will be assessed, and if a personal injury claim is a viable option, a strong case will be built to pursue their legal rights. After presenting evidence that can prove liability and interviewing witnesses, a successfully presented claim in a civil court may lead to full and fair compensation.

Source: dmv.org, “Personal Injury in New York“, , Oct. 2, 2014