After a car accident, prioritize safety by checking for injuries and moving to a safe location, then call 911 if there are injuries or significant damage. Exchange information with the other driver(s), document the scene with photos and notes, and contact your insurance company as soon as possible.
If you’ve just been in a car crash in New York, you’re probably shaken, scared, and wondering: What should I do after I get in a car accident?
You’re not alone. Every year, tens of thousands of New Yorkers are involved in collisions — from minor fender benders to serious highway crashes.
Knowing what to do right after a car accident can make a huge difference in your safety, your health, and your legal rights.
At Chaikin Trial Group, our New York car accident lawyers help injured drivers through these moments every day — from the first phone call after the crash to securing the compensation they deserve.
What’s in This Guide
- First Steps to Take After a Car Accident
- Five Key Actions to Protect Your Claim
- What Not to Say to Insurance Companies
- How Long You Have to File a Claim in New York
- How Filing a Claim Can Affect Your Insurance
- Understanding Car Accident Compensation
- How a Lawyer Can Help After a Car Accident in New York
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First Steps to Take After a Car Accident
The first thing you should do in a car accident is check for injuries — yours and anyone else’s.
If someone is hurt, call 911 immediately and request medical assistance. Even if injuries seem minor, symptoms like whiplash or concussion can worsen hours later.
Once everyone is safe, move vehicles out of traffic (if possible) and turn on your hazard lights.
Then, exchange information and document everything — photos, license plates, insurance cards, and police badge numbers.
Pro Tip: In New York, leaving the scene of an accident — even a small one — without exchanging info can count as a hit-and-run offense.
Five Key Actions to Protect Your Claim
Here’s a clear list of steps to take after a car accident to protect your health, your insurance claim, and your legal rights:
- Stay calm and check for injuries.
- Move to safety — out of the roadway if you can do so safely.
- Call the police and wait for them to file a report.
- Exchange information with the other driver and take pictures.
- Notify your insurance company and consider speaking with a car accident lawyer in New York to understand your rights.
If your crash happens in New York City, make sure to file a police accident report (MV-104) within 10 days — it’s legally required if property damage exceeds $1,000.
What Not to Say to Insurance Companies
What should you not say when making an insurance claim?
Avoid apologizing or speculating about fault — even simple phrases like “I didn’t see them” or “I might’ve been speeding” can be used against you later.
Keep your statements factual:
- “The light was green.”
- “I was rear-ended.”
- “I felt pain immediately after the crash.”
Don’t guess about injuries or vehicle damage until you’ve seen a doctor or an estimate.
If you’re unsure, tell the adjuster, “I’m still being evaluated,” and let your car accident lawyer NYC handle further communication.
How Long You Have to File a Claim in New York
How many days after a car accident can you make a claim?
In New York, you typically have 30 days to file a no-fault insurance claim and three years to file a personal injury lawsuit (under CPLR §214).
But it’s best not to wait — evidence fades quickly. Photos, witness statements, and even traffic camera footage can disappear within days.
If you’re injured, your car accident lawyer can handle this paperwork right away to preserve your rights and ensure your medical bills are covered.
How Filing a Claim Can Affect Your Insurance
How does filing a claim affect my insurance?
If you’re found at fault, your insurance rates may go up — but under New York’s no-fault system, your insurer must still cover up to $50,000 in medical costs and lost wages, regardless of who caused the crash.
For non-fault accidents, your rates might stay the same. Some insurers even offer accident forgiveness, depending on your record and coverage level.
Still, it’s wise to speak with a New York car accident attorney before filing a claim if you believe the other driver was negligent — especially in serious injury cases where the payout could be significant.
Understanding Car Accident Compensation
How much compensation can you get from a car crash?
That depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical costs, lost wages, and how the crash impacts your daily life.
Average settlements for car accident injuries in New York range anywhere from $25,000 for minor cases to well over $1 million for catastrophic injuries.
Your lawyer will also look at:
- The other driver’s insurance limits
- Whether multiple parties share fault
- Long-term medical or therapy costs
- Pain and suffering damages
If the crash caused serious injury, disfigurement, or disability, you may step outside the no-fault system and file a personal injury lawsuit for full compensation.
How a Lawyer Can Help After a Car Accident in New York
If you’re overwhelmed, in pain, or just unsure where to start — that’s where we come in.
At Chaikin Trial Group, we help accident victims in the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Long Island, and Manhattan understand their rights and build strong claims from day one.
Our attorneys can:
- Handle all insurance calls and paperwork
- Determine whether to file through no-fault or third-party insurance
- Calculate the maximum compensation available to you
- Fight back when insurers try to underpay or deny your claim
Don’t let confusion cost you the settlement you deserve.
If you’ve been injured, call Chaikin Trial Group for a free consultation today. Contact us today!
