From the time you got your driver’s license, you probably heard that if you are in a car accident, you should call the police and get them to write a report. Aside from making sure that everyone involved in the accident is okay and doesn’t need medical attention, calling the police should be the first thing you do; however, if the accident is in the five boroughs, the police will only come to the scene of an accident if you need an ambulance, or your vehicle is towed.
Not having the police come to the scene of an accident doesn’t mean you won’t be able to file a claim with your insurance company or pursue legal action if necessary. It just means that all of the other things you need to do when you are in an accident become even more important.
Pictures, pictures, pictures. I can’t say it enough. Take pictures of everything - the scene of the accident, street signs, damage on the cars, traffic lights, road conditions or hazards…anything that will help recreate what happened. You also want to make sure you take pictures of the other person’s driver’s license, insurance card, and license plates.
Witnesses, do your best to keep them at the scene and get their account of what happened. Remember, witnesses don’t have a legal obligation to stay at the scene of an accident, but most will end up stopping to see if those involved in the accident are okay. This is your best chance to ask them to recount if they saw anything and to get their contact information.
Without a police report, you may feel you are missing a crucial piece of information, and that may be true in some cases, but without one, it’s even more important to contact an attorney to help you. Just because you didn’t need medical attention at the scene doesn’t mean that you won’t feel the effects of the accident the next day or a few days later. Just because you were able to drive your car away from the scene of an accident doesn’t necessarily mean it should be back on the road. An attorney will help you deal with witnesses, medical and auto insurance, and all the other red tape that comes along with a car accident in order to get you a swift recovery.
There is no charge to speak with us, and personal injury attorneys do not get paid unless you get a recovery from the accident. We are always here to answer your questions, so please reach out to us.