CRUCIAL NOTE: It simply cannot be stressed enough: DO NOT GIVE STATEMENTS, ORAL OR WRITTEN, TO YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY PRIOR TO SPEAKING TO AN ATTORNEY! Insurance companies act quickly in order to limit their own liability - not increase their liability to you for your injuries.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

If you are involved in a serious motor vehicle accident, there are important considerations that need to be tended to immediately. It is important that you consult an attorney as quickly as possible. Between medical care, insurance forms, as well as for protecting your interests in the subsequent liability action by preserving evidence and starting the initial investigation, having a skilled, experienced law firm behind you can make the difference between winning and losing your case. The attorneys of HACH & ROSE, LLP fight tirelessly on behalf of car accident victims and put the full weight of their firm’s resources behind you. Click here if you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident.

Here’s what to do if you’re in an accident:

1) STOP: If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident which causes injury to either person or property you are required to stop, provide your name, address, driver’s license and insurance identification card to the person who is injured or whose property was damaged, or to a police officer. If the information is not available at the scene of the accident, you must provide the information to the nearest police station as quickly as possible.

2) ADMINISTER AID TO THE INJURED: If necessary, call an ambulance immediately. Make the injured person(s) as comfortable as possible. As a general rule you should not move an injured person, unless the risk of injury by leaving the person where they are is greater than is possible by moving them. Keep the person warm with blankets or coats. If there is any bleeding, stop it by applying direct pressure with a clean cloth.

3) PROTECT THE SCENE: Make every effort to prevent further accidents. You may be liable for damages to approaching vehicles unless they are properly warned. At night, be sure to warn approaching vehicles with flashlights or flares.

4) CALL TRAFFIC OFFICIALS: Request the presence of a police officer, and give the basic facts of the accident. The official report may help you later if a liability claim is made.

5) WITNESSES: Witnesses will be a tremendous help in any subsequent court action, if there is any question as to liability for the accident. Get the names, addresses and telephone numbers of as many witnesses as possible. If they refuse, jot down the license plate numbers of their vehicles. Do not discuss the accident with the witnesses. Do not give their names or addresses to anyone but the police, your attorney or your insurance company. Also get the names and badge numbers of any police officers at the scene.

6) WRITE DOWN THE DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT: Make a note of the details of the accident, including date and time, road conditions, weather conditions and speed of all other cars involved. It also is a good idea to draw a diagram of the accident showing the position and direction of the cars just prior to and after the accident.

7) REPORT YOUR ACCIDENT TO THE COMMISSIONER OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND TO YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY: The law, in New York State, requires that the operator of a vehicle involved in an accident in which a person is killed or injured - or one in which damage to person or property exceeds $1,000 - must file a written report with the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles within 10 days. If the driver is unable to make the report, the owner of the vehicle must do so within 10 days after the accident.