Everything You Need to Know After a Serious Car Accident in the Bronx

After a serious car accident in the Bronx, the days following the crash can quickly become a series of medical appointments, insurance calls, repair estimates, and questions about how you will pay your bills if you cannot work. You may also be contacted by an insurance adjuster asking for a statement or discussing a settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries.

This is an important time to protect your interests. What you say to an insurer, how you document your injuries, and the steps you take to preserve evidence can affect your ability to recover compensation later. At Lipsig, Freund & Wisell, our attorneys help people injured in Bronx car accidents understand their options and pursue compensation from the parties responsible for their injuries.

What Should You Do Immediately After a Serious Car Accident?

Your health should come first after a crash. If you are injured, call 911 and obtain emergency medical treatment. Even when an injury initially appears minor, medical evaluation can identify conditions that may not be immediately obvious.

You should also report the accident when required and preserve information about what happened. The New York DMV provides an official motor vehicle crash report for accidents occurring in New York State.

If you are physically able to do so, photographs and videos of the vehicles, roadway, traffic conditions, visible injuries, and the surrounding area may also become important evidence later.

What Should You Know About the Insurance Company?

After a serious accident, you may receive calls or correspondence from an insurance company. The insurer may ask questions about the collision, your injuries, medical treatment, or your plans for returning to work.

Remember that the insurance company is evaluating the claim from its own financial perspective. It may attempt to settle the case for the minimum amount it believes it can pay.

Do not feel pressured to accept the first settlement offer; in fact, you shouldn’t accept any settlement without advice from qualified Bronx-based legal counsel. Local counsel means experience with similar accidents and first-hand knowledge of the compensation in those cases.

What Compensation May Be Available After a Serious Crash?

A serious car accident can create both immediate and long-term losses. Depending on the circumstances, a claim may involve compensation related to medical treatment, lost income, reduced earning ability, property damage, and pain and suffering.

New York’s no-fault system generally provides certain benefits for economic losses associated with injuries from motor vehicle accidents. However, no-fault coverage does not compensate for vehicle damage and is separate from a personal injury claim against the responsible party.

When Should You Speak With a Bronx Car Accident Lawyer?

You do not have to, and should not, wait until an insurance company denies your claim or sends you a lowball offer before seeking legal advice.

The Bronx has some of New York City’s busiest transportation corridors, including the Major Deegan Expressway, Cross Bronx Expressway, Bruckner Expressway, and Grand Concourse. You need to know what compensation is appropriate in these areas before you can decide if the insurance is offering you a fair settlement and how to move forward in your case. 

If you have suffered serious injuries in a Bronx car accident, our attorneys at Lipsig, Freund & Wisell can help protect your legal rights and pursue the compensation you may be entitled to receive. Call (212) 285-3300 to set up a free consultation.