What to Do After a Car Accident in New York

A car accident upends everything in seconds. The decisions you make in the hours and days that follow can dramatically change the outcome of any insurance claim or lawsuit. Here is what our attorneys advise every New York client to do.

1. Get medical attention — even if you feel fine

Adrenaline can mask serious injuries. Whiplash, concussions, and soft tissue damage often do not present symptoms for hours or days. A documented medical exam right after the accident is one of the most important pieces of evidence in any future claim.

2. Document the scene

If it is safe, take photographs of every vehicle involved, the road, traffic signals, weather conditions, and any visible injuries. Get the names, contact information, and insurance details of every driver, plus the names and phone numbers of any witnesses.

3. Report it

New York requires a police report for any accident with injury or property damage over $1,000. File a written accident report with the DMV (form MV-104) within 10 days.

4. Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer

Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions designed to reduce or deny your claim. Anything you say can be used against you. You are not legally required to give them a statement — politely decline and refer them to your attorney.

5. Speak to a personal injury attorney

A free consultation costs you nothing and helps you understand whether you have a case, what it could be worth, and how to protect yourself going forward. Time matters: New York's statute of limitations for most car accident claims is three years, but evidence and witnesses fade much faster.