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If you’ve been in a car accident that was not your fault, there are a few things you need to do in order to protect yourself and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. Keep reading for a brief overview of what you need to do if you find yourself in this situation.
Table of Contents
Prove Liability
If the crash that happened wasn’t your fault, you need to prove that it was the other party that caused it. New York is known for road trouble and every car accident lawyer in Westchester knows that the best course of action is getting evidence of negligence. It will assure everyone that you had nothing to do with what happened and it will be much easier for you to get compensated.
Take pictures of the damages to all vehicles involved, as well as the scene of the accident. These will be helpful in proving what happened and who is at fault. Be sure to get the contact information of any witnesses, as they may be able to provide valuable testimony. Make sure to also preserve the evidence so nothing gets lost or damaged.
Call The Authorities
You should report the accident to the police, even if it’s a minor fender bender. This is important because you will need an official report to submit to your insurance company. The police report will include important information such as the names and contact information of any witnesses, a description of the accident, and the officers’ assessment of who was at fault.
If you’re not sure whether or not you should call the police, err on the side of caution and make the call. It’s always better to have too much information than not enough when it comes to building your case.
Ask for a copy of the police report when the officer is finished, and be sure to get the name and badge number of the officer you spoke with. You will need this information when you file your insurance claim.
Exchange Information
There’s a lot of information you should get from the other driver. These are the following:
- Their name
- Their phone number
- The name of their insurance company
- The policy number for their insurance company
- The make, model, and license plate number of the other car.
You should also get information from any witnesses at the scene. This includes:
- Their name
- Their phone number
- What they saw
If the police come to the scene, be sure to get a copy of the police report. This will have information like:
- The names and badge numbers of the officers
- The incident number
- A description of what happened
All this information will be helpful in building your case. Be sure to exchange information with the other driver so that you have everything you need to make a claim.
Visit The Doctor
If you’ve been injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, one of the first things you’ll want to do is visit the doctor. This is important for a few reasons. First, you need to make sure that you’re actually injured and that your injuries are serious enough to warrant legal action. Second, visiting the doctor will give you documentation of your injuries, which will be important when it comes time to file a claim or lawsuit.
Of course, you don’t have to go to the emergency room if your injuries aren’t severe. But it’s still a good idea to visit your primary care physician or a specialist within a week or two of the accident.
Assess The Car Damage
Look over your car with a mechanic to get an estimate of the repairs. This will be important for your case later on. If you don’t have a mechanic, most body shops will give you an estimate for free. Take pictures of the damage from different angles to document what happened. These photos will help back up your story later on.
For example, let’s say you were in a car accident where the other driver ran a red light and hit you. You would want to take pictures of the damage to your car, as well as any injuries you may have sustained.
Keep All Bills
It’s essential that you keep the bills both for the repairs, as well as the ones you get in the hospital for treating your injuries. These will form a part of your case, and help to prove the damages that you’ve incurred. Ideally, you should keep all bills in one place so they’re easy to find when you need them.
For example, let’s say you had to go to the hospital for a checkup after the accident. The doctor gave you a bill for $200. You would want to keep that bill so you can later include it as part of your damages.
Lawyer Up
Having a good lawyer by your side is always a smart move, but it’s especially important if you’ve been in a car accident that wasn’t your fault. If the other driver was at fault, their insurance company will be responsible for any damages you incurred as a result of the accident.
But insurance companies are notoriously stingy when it comes to paying out on claims, and they’ll do whatever they can to minimize the amount they have to pay. That’s why it’s so important to have a good lawyer on your side who can help you build a strong case and get the compensation you deserve.
File A Compensation Claim
When everything’s ready, you should start filing a compensation claim. If the other driver was at fault and you have insurance, their insurance company will be responsible for your damages.
Claiming compensation can be a complex and time-consuming process, so it’s important that you understand your rights and what you’re entitled to. Car accidents can damage your property, body, as well as your mental well-being, so it’s crucial that you get the right amount of compensation to cover all your losses.
Being in an accident you didn’t cause means you deserve compensation so make sure to prove liability and get the authorities involved. Exchange information with the other party and visit the doctor as soon as possible. Assess the damage that has been done to your car and keep all bills well-protected in one place. Hire a skilled car accident attorney and file a compensation claim against the other party. You’ll get everything you deserve in no time!
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