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Do You Need a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident in New York?


— April 26, 2022

The first thing that needs to be done after an accident is to get the police report.


Suppose you are driving in New York and get into a car accident. You were not in the right lane, and another car came up behind you and tapped your rear bumper with their front bumper. You swerved to the right to avoid this collision but still hit the other vehicle. The other driver then gets out of their car and starts yelling at you. Do you think that this is the end of it?

A minor car accident can be a very emotional time for all the drivers involved in the incident. The victim may be upset because they feel they were “t-boned” by someone else’s negligence. The other driver may feel angry because they feel that the victim was at fault for being in the wrong lane, which caused them to run into their vehicle from behind.

What to Do After a Minor Car Accident?

If you are a victim of a minor car accident, you should contact an attorney to help with your case. A lawyer can guide you through the process of filing a claim and will make sure that everything is filled out correctly.

Get a Copy of the Police Report

The first thing that needs to be done after an accident is to get the police report. The document will show the amount of damage done to your vehicle and the other driver’s car. It will also show who was at fault for the accident.

Police officer leaning in window of car after accident; image by Matt Chesin, via Unsplash.com.
Image by Matt Chesin, via Unsplash.com.

Furthermore, you will be able to determine who would have liability for any injuries or property damage that may have occurred due to the accident.

Contact Your Attorney

If you are not sure what to do next, call an attorney who can assist you with your claim. The lawyer can help you fill out the insurance form and provide you with advice on how to go about filing a claim against the other driver’s insurance company for damages.

Call Your Insurance Company

After contacting your lawyer, it is vital to call your insurance company and set up your injury claim form. You should fill out this completely to record all your damages in one place. It is also important to list all witnesses present at the time of the accident.

Importance of Hiring a Lawyer

If you are involved in a minor car accident, getting the damages and compensation for medical bills paid quickly is vital. The longer it takes to file a claim, the more difficult it becomes for you to get this kind of support.

If your car was damaged in an accident that was not your fault, hiring an attorney can help you avoid any potential problems with your insurance company and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

A local New York car accident lawyer can fight for the compensation you deserve. Law firms often offer a free initial consult to cover the more pressing legal issues.

How to File a Claim

To file a claim for damages after a minor car accident, you need to fill out the appropriate form from your insurance company. You will also need to provide information about the driver of the other vehicle who caused the accident, including:

  • Personal information
  • License plate number
  • The insurance company

Once you have filled out the claim form, you must keep a copy of it to refer back to it if necessary. Be sure to have witnesses sign the documentation because they will be able to verify what happened and provide testimony for your case.

For your claim to be successful, you should submit all of these documents as soon as possible from when the accident occurred.

You Are Not Alone

Experiencing a car crash can be a traumatic event, even if the collision was minor. If you start feeling overwhelmed, remember that you are not alone. A skilled car accident attorney can offer the guidance you need to access fair compensation.

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