Car accidents are often terrifying events that leave you shaken, in pain, and financially devastated. Injuries may have long-term effects on your quality of life and ability to work and can even result in permanent disability. If you have been injured in a car accident, one of the most important steps to take is to hire an experienced New York City accident attorney to handle your claim. While a financial settlement will not make up for your physical and emotional trauma, it can help ease some of the burden from medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and other costs.

The first thing you should do after a collision is to prioritize your safety and the safety of other people at the scene of the accident. Check to see if anyone has been seriously hurt and call 911 if necessary. If police officers respond to the scene, they will document your accident in a police report or a DMV crash report. You should also exchange information with the other driver(s) at the scene, including contact details, insurance policy information, license plate numbers, and vehicle registration details. If possible, you should try to take pictures of the scene that include damage, road conditions, and perspective shots that show intersections.

It is essential that you seek medical attention as soon as possible after a collision, regardless of how minor your injuries may appear to be. Some injuries, such as head or neck injuries, are not immediately apparent because the adrenaline rush after a crash dulls pain sensations. Failing to get medical attention could also hurt your case in the future as a jury might see it as an indication that your injuries are not as severe as you claim.

After a thorough investigation of the incident, your lawyer will review the evidence available to determine liability and calculate damages. This includes police reports, witness testimony, expert witnesses (accident reconstruction experts, physician evaluations, and psychological specialists), medical records, video footage, and photos.

Your attorney will also assess the potential to settle your case with the at-fault party or their insurance provider. If settlement is not feasible, your attorney will file a lawsuit against the responsible party or parties in court.

Insurance companies are not your friends or allies after a car accident, and hiring an incentivized car accident attorney is the best way to protect your rights. Insurers will do everything they can to undermine or reject your claims and lowball you on your settlement offer. An attorney is incentivized to work tirelessly on your behalf and will fight aggressively for the maximum compensation available.

While it is tempting to save time and money by avoiding an attorney, this is a major mistake that can cost you your right to a fair compensation settlement. In addition, all car accident cases are subject to a statute of limitations, which means that you only have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit against the responsible party(s) and pursue justice in court.