Car Accident FAQ
Every day in New York City, there are close to 600 car accidents, many of which involve motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. What do these numbers look like on a yearly basis? In 2018, for example, close to 230,000 car accidents occurred across the Big Apple, with close to 30% happening in Queens, about 29% happening in Brooklyn, 20% happening in Manhattan, 16% happening in the Bronx, and almost 6% happening in Staten Island. And when a New Yorker is involved in an auto accident, it’s often the case that they have questions immediately afterward. Some of the frequently asked car accident questions are answered below.
Call 1-800-HURT-511 to speak with our highly skilled and experienced car accident lawyers in Queens. We’ve been representing car accident victims throughout the Five Boroughs for over a decade, and we’ll help you seek damages after a car accident.
Should I Take Pictures After A Car Accident ?
It’s said that a picture is worth 1,000 words, and this is certainly the case when it comes to taking post-accident pictures. Nowadays, nearly everyone has a high-powered camera on their phone, so getting photographic evidence after a crash is a lot easier. Here’s what you should get photos of:
- The accident scene (from multiple angles & distances)
- Vehicle damage (not just your own but damage to other drivers’ vehicles as well)
- Visible injuries (never smile in photos that’ll be used as documentation of injuries)
Should I Seek Medical Attention After A Car Accident Even Though I Feel Fine?
Even if you feel fine after a car accident, it’s wise to seek professional medical attention. You may think you only have some minor bumps and bruises, and then weeks or months later some more significant injuries manifest that are related to the accident.
When examining a car accident victim, a doctor may find warning signs that indicate more significant injuries will present later on. In this case, the doctor would document this discovery so, should the possible injuries manifest, there’s written evidence which ties the later injuries to the car accident. If you don’t get medical attention soon after the accident occurs, you may not be able to recover damages for future medical costs.
Who Pays Damages In A Hit-And-Run?
Hit-and-run accidents are more common than people think, and thousands of them happen every year in NYC. If you get hit by another driver and they leave the scene immediately, a claim will need to be filed with your car insurance provider. If you’re involved in a hit-and-run, you don’t have to worry about your rate going up, provided it can be proved by the extent and quality of your vehicle’s damage that the driver who fled would’ve been at-fault for the accident.
What If The At-fault Driver Doesn’t Have Car Insurance?
When the at-fault party in a car accident doesn’t have car insurance, the party that didn’t cause the accident will need to seek damages from their own car insurance provider. In this situation, the insurance provider should pay for damages up to the policyholder’s coverage limit. If a driver does have car insurance but it’s not enough to cover damages, it’s here where having underinsured motorist insurance is valuable.
Is The Rear Driver Always Held Liable In Rear-End Car Accidents?
No, a rear driver is not automatically at fault in a rear-end car accident. However, many states operate on the presumption that the rear driver is liable for damages caused by the accident unless they can prove otherwise.
A driver is supposed to maintain a safe distance between themselves and the vehicle in front of them. But if a car stops to make a turn without signaling, or if a car has malfunctioning brake lights that don’t indicate it’s coming to a stop, the rear driver will probably not be held liable for damages if they hit the car in front of them.
Do I Have To Talk To Other Drivers’ Insurance Companies And Attorneys?
A party to an accident is not required to give statements to opposing parties’ insurance companies. It’s common practice for a lawyer to instruct their client to avoid communicating with opposing parties’ insurance companies, as during the course of giving a statement, you may accidentally admit fault. If you do have to make a statement, make sure your lawyer is present when you do. Also, you should consult with your lawyer before sending medical records to opposing parties’ insurance companies.
Can An Insurance Company Deny A Valid Car Accident Claim?
While it may seem unbelievable, it’s true that car insurance companies deny valid claims, often because of lacking evidence. This is one reason why getting in touch with an experienced car accident lawyer is a good move. Say, for example, you’re involved in a hit-and-run car accident in Brooklyn and your insurance provider doesn’t want to pay for damages. A car accident lawyer in Brooklyn can enlist the services of accident reconstruction experts so the scene can be recreated and liability can be accurately assigned.
Which Car Accident Injuries Are Common?
The following are common car accident injuries, car accident faq:
- Fractures
- Cuts and lacerations
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Concussion
- Herniation
- Dislocation
- Neck injuries
- Ankle & wrist sprains
- Broken pelvis
- Knee injuries
Where Do Car Accidents Happen Most Often?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), most driving-related fatalities happen within a 25-mile radius of drivers’ homes. Non-fatal accidents, on the other hand, are likely to occur between 5 and 15 miles away from drivers’ homes. Poorly designed and hazardous roadways, intersections, highways, and parking lots are all sites where car accidents occur often.
Do Car Accident Claims Ever Go To Court?
Most car accident claims are settled out of court. Bringing a claim to trial makes the process more costly for all parties involved, and this also lengthens the process quite a bit. However, plenty of car accident claims go to trial, and when they do, it’s often a judge and jury that determine where liability for the accident lies.
Is Hiring A Car Accident Lawyer Worth It?
Hiring a car accident lawyer to represent your interests during the claim process is definitely a good move. Most accident victims need time to recover after an accident, but unfortunately time is of the essence after an accident occurs. But a car accident lawyer will take care of all the stress-inducing tasks and processes for their client, and they’ll also be able to represent their client’s interests should the case go to trial. A car accident lawyer will also know where fault lies in a case, and they’ll be able to determine an accurate total damages figure for their client.
Call us at 1-800-HURT-511 when you want to speak with our trusted and sought after NYC car accident lawyers. Whether you were injured in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, or any of the other Boroughs, we can help you!
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