Nobody wants to think about death, especially a premature one. You need to know all the facts, though. Car accidents are the third leading cause of death in New York. Even the inner suburban city like White Plains cannot escape from this reality.
White Plains ranks number three in the best place to live in New York for some time, but that does not make it immune to car crashes. If you are in the city and met a car accident, you need to immediately call a White Plains car accident attorney. They will help you with the following steps of what needs to be done as soon as the accident occurs.
Seek Medical Attention
The top priority after a car crash is getting medical attention. Even if you feel fine, a doctor’s evaluation is best. It will help uncover injuries that may not be visible right away. For minor injuries, have a medical report filed as it will help if you develop something serious later.
Try To Document As Much As Possible
Most of us carry smartphones with in-built cameras to help capture the sight of the accident. Record the surrounding areas as well to make sure that you don’t miss anything later. Banking on memory alone is not a reliable option. So document as many details as possible. Car accidents are usually unintentional, and the other party may flee the scene. Documentation will help in filing a claim.
Call an Attorney
The trauma of an accident may be hard to deal with. It may render you incapable of dealing with practical issues at hand. It is, therefore, best to call a White Plains car accident attorney right away. The attorney can handle the rest while you recover from the shock.
Get Other Party Information
Get the details of the other party involved in the crash. This includes their name, contact number, driver’s license number, license plates, and insurance policy numbers. Before you do that, check if they need medical assistance and call for a doctor. Usually, White Plains is known for its road safety, but you cannot be too sure.
File a Report
NY State Vehicle and Traffic Laws require you to file a complaint only if the property damage is more than $1,000, or someone is injured. It is recommended that you register a report regardless of the amount of damage, as it is difficult to assess the amount of damage immediately.
Filing the report is a good idea, irrespective of the amount. Get a copy of the report from the local police precinct in White Plains. This report should be filed within ten days of the event.
Contact Insurance Company
If you are injured, or your vehicle has been damaged, you will have to contact your insurance provider. For this, you will require a copy of the police report and the medical report.
When in an accident, it is best if you call a White Plains car accident attorney at once. They will help you with the formal process of filing reports with various agencies. They will also assist in case there is a police inquiry. The last thing you’d want after a crash is to deal with the authorities while you try to recover from the physical and mental trauma.
