After a car accident, call 911, seek medical attention, exchange information with the other driver, and document the scene if it is safe to do so. Take photographs of the vehicles, visible injuries, road conditions, traffic signals, and anything else that may help explain how the collision occurred. Even if your injuries seem minor, prompt medical evaluation can help protect both your health and any future injury claim.

If anyone is injured or killed in a New York City car accident, call 911 and report the crash. You should also report the accident when there is significant property damage, a driver leaves the scene, or circumstances require police assistance. New York also requires motorists to file a crash report with the DMV within 10 days when a crash causes an injury or death or more than $1,000 in damage to the property of any one person. Police and DMV crash reports can provide important documentation, but they are not the only evidence used to determine fault.

New York is a no-fault insurance state, which generally means that an injured person first seeks certain benefits through applicable no-fault coverage regardless of who caused the accident. These benefits may cover medical expenses, a portion of lost earnings, and certain other necessary expenses, subject to policy limits and legal requirements. No-fault benefits do not compensate an injured person for pain and suffering. In cases involving a qualifying serious injury, the injured person may be able to pursue additional compensation from an at-fault party.

In New York, written notice of a no-fault claim generally must be submitted to the appropriate insurer as soon as reasonably practicable and no later than 30 calendar days after the accident. An exception may apply when there is clear and reasonable justification for a late filing. Because other no-fault deadlines can also apply to medical bills and lost-wage claims, injured people should act promptly after a crash.

Possibly. If your injuries meet New York’s serious injury threshold, you may have the right to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver. These claims can seek compensation beyond no-fault benefits, including damages for pain and suffering, future medical treatment, lost earning capacity, and other accident-related losses.

Under New York law, certain injury categories may allow people injured in motor vehicle accidents to pursue a personal injury lawsuit beyond the no-fault system. Serious injuries can include significant disfigurement, fractures, permanent limitations, significant limitations of bodily function, and other qualifying conditions. Whether an injury satisfies the threshold depends on the specific facts and medical evidence involved.

In many New York car accident cases involving personal injuries caused by negligence, the general statute of limitations is three years from the date of the accident. However, much shorter deadlines may apply when a claim involves New York City, another government entity, a public authority, or certain other defendants. For example, some claims against government entities may require a notice of claim within 90 days. Because the applicable deadline depends on the facts and parties involved, it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after a serious accident.

Compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, future medical treatment, rehabilitation costs, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from the accident. The amount available depends on factors such as the severity of the injuries, available insurance coverage, liability issues, and the long-term impact of the injuries.

New York follows a comparative fault system. This means an injured person may still be entitled to compensation even if they were partially responsible for the accident. Insurance companies sometimes attempt to shift blame in order to reduce payouts, which is one reason why preserving evidence and obtaining legal guidance can be important.

Fault may be established through police reports, witness statements, photographs, video footage, vehicle damage, medical records, accident reconstruction evidence, and other documentation. In New York City, nearby surveillance cameras, traffic cameras, rideshare data, and commercial vehicle records may also play important roles in determining responsibility.

You should be cautious when speaking with any insurance company after an accident. Insurance adjusters may ask questions designed to minimize liability or reduce the value of a claim. Before providing recorded statements or signing documents, many injured people choose to consult with an attorney to better understand their rights.

Depending on the circumstances, uninsured motorist coverage may provide benefits when an at-fault driver lacks insurance coverage. The availability of compensation depends on the specific insurance policies involved and the facts of the accident. An attorney can help identify available sources of recovery and evaluate your legal options.

Yes, in many situations. Even when a driver leaves the scene, injured people may still have options through uninsured motorist coverage or other available insurance benefits. Promptly reporting the accident and preserving evidence can be especially important in hit-and-run cases.

Uber accidents often involve multiple insurance policies and unique liability issues. After seeking medical attention and documenting the accident, it is important to determine whether the rideshare driver was transporting a passenger, waiting for a ride request, or off-duty at the time of the crash. These distinctions can affect the insurance coverage available.

Lyft accidents can involve complicated insurance questions depending on the status of the driver within the Lyft app at the time of the collision. Because multiple insurance policies may apply, preserving evidence and identifying available coverage early can be important to protecting your claim.

Not always. In New York, a rear-end collision with a stopped or stopping vehicle can establish an initial inference of negligence against the driver of the rear vehicle. However, the rear driver may be able to rebut that inference by providing a non-negligent explanation for the collision. The specific circumstances of the crash—including vehicle movements, road conditions, mechanical issues, and the actions of other drivers—can affect how liability is determined.

Intersection collisions often require careful analysis of traffic signals, witness statements, surveillance footage, vehicle damage patterns, and roadway design. Determining who had the right of way can be a critical issue, particularly when multiple drivers provide conflicting accounts of what occurred.

Yes. Drivers who text, use mobile devices, interact with navigation systems, or otherwise divert their attention from the road may be held responsible for resulting injuries and damages. Evidence such as phone records, witness testimony, surveillance footage, and accident reconstruction findings may help establish liability.

As early as possible. Important evidence can disappear quickly after a crash, and insurance companies often begin investigating claims immediately. Speaking with an attorney early in the process can help protect your rights, preserve evidence, and ensure important deadlines are not missed.