The Ultimate Guide to Hiring a Car Accident Attorney in New York

The Ultimate Guide to Hiring a Car Accident Attorney in New York

In a no-fault insurance state like New York, figuring out the steps to take right after a car accident can be quite frustrating. Insurance firms, the police, other parties involved in the accident, and witnesses may all have different opinions on what you need to do. Getting advice from strangers while you are alone, scared, and injured is challenging. It is very easy to trust the wrong person and make bad decisions that can impact you even worse than the accident itself. However, by having the right legal support on your side, you can face the aftermath of a car accident with greater confidence.

In this guide to hiring a car accident attorney in New York, you will learn how to get the compensation you deserve with minimum interruption to your usual lifestyle. While it’s true that life will never be the same again after facing the shock of a car accident, especially if it has caused permanent damages and losses, you can at least fight for your rights with a car accident attorney in New York.

Steps to Take Immediately After a Car Accident in New York

Before thinking of doing anything, the first thing to do is to take a deep breath and get out of the car. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed, but calming yourself helps you think clearly and respond effectively. Once you’ve gathered your thoughts, here’s what you need to do:

01. Check whether you are safe.

If the crash looks dangerous, don’t try to move your car. Move away from the accident zone and immediately call 911. Check yourself for injuries and if any passengers were traveling with you, assess their condition too.

02. Call the police to file a police report.

Even if the car accident is minor, you need to dial 911 and report it. This is because you need a police report to claim insurance in a no-fault insurance state like New York. Ideally, contact your New York car accident attorney so that your insurance claiming process will be supported.

03. Document the scene and gather witness information.

If you are not critically injured, try to take as many photos as possible of the vehicle damage and the surroundings. Capture details that would be important for building a case such as vehicle damage, road conditions, or any damages to building structures. If you have injuries, take photos of them too as they can serve as evidence if you have to file a personal injury lawsuit.

Don’t forget to talk to bystanders who witnessed the car crash. Be friendly and don’t admit to anything when talking with witnesses until you have consulted an auto accident lawyer. Hiring auto accident lawyers new york who can advise you on how to proceed after a car accident is essential to protect your rights as a car accident victim.

04. Seek medical attention.

Your car accident attorney will advise you to visit a healthcare provider even if you feel fine since all medical treatments should be documented for legal processes. What’s more, some injuries that result from car accidents such as whiplash and internal trauma don’t show immediate symptoms.

05. Notify the insurance company.

Not to worry, this step will be handled by your car accident lawyer in New York so that you don’t have to engage in negotiations where insurers try to lowball you with unfair offers. A car accident attorney who is familiar with New York’s no-fault insurance laws will negotiate the best settlement for your case.

Things to Avoid When Hiring a New York Car Accident Lawyer

When seeking legal representation after a car accident in New York, selecting the right car accident lawyer is crucial. If not, you might end up wasting your money on an untrustworthy lawyer who cannot get you deserving compensation for your injuries.

There are certain common mistakes that you can avoid when hiring a new york car accident lawyer. For instance, don’t fall for promises of high payouts that some lawyers offer even before they know what your car accident case is about. Experienced car accident attorneys in New York listen to your case carefully and evaluate the circumstances before promising a successful outcome.

Although it is typical to feel pressured into hiring a car accident lawyer immediately following an accident, take a bit of time to research the credentials and area of expertise that your potential lawyer has. Sometimes, your car accident lawyer might be experienced in a specific area that is not relevant to your accident case. Note that all personal injury lawyers do not specialize in car accidents.

You also need to see if the car accident lawyer you consult communicates well with you. Clear and open communication is necessary for accident cases that frequently involve stressful scenarios where urgent advice from lawyers is required. In addition, don’t make the mistake of hiring a New York car accident lawyer without discussing the fee structure.

Are Client Testimonials Important to Hire a Car Accident Attorney?

If an inexperienced New York car accident attorney tried to convince you that client testimonials don’t matter, that’s a major red flag. Testimonials are proof that the lawyer you hire is competent and has hands-on experience with different cases. If a car accident lawyer has low success rates, then client testimonials may not be available.

The point is, a car accident attorney is someone whom you have to trust and work closely with when dealing with a complicated car accident case. So it’s not sensible to hire a car accident lawyer that you know nothing about. By assessing client testimonials, you can get to know whether you’ll truly be supported throughout the entire legal process.

Therefore, when researching a car accident attorney, look for testimonials on websites and review legal forums to see if a potential car accident lawyer you want to hire is truly the best car accident attorney new york.

When going through client testimonials, you might observe patterns in reviews and testimonials that indicate a car accident lawyer to have weaknesses in the same aspect repeated in several complaints. It might be best to avoid such law firms altogether since a lawyer’s track record is key to finding the right representation for your case.

Get Legal Support Today

If you are unsure whether you need an auto accident attorney, don’t wait. The more time passes, the higher the chances are for you to miss deadlines with filing reports required to claim deserving compensation. You can always contact an experienced car accident attorney in New York who offers free initial consultations.

At Alex Yadgarov & Associates, our legal team specializes in car accident cases and personal injury law. So, we can assess your case and guide you through your options. Schedule a free initial consultation without any delay and get the support you deserve.

For further readings

Top 3 Errors to Avoid While Choosing a New York Car Accident Lawyer

Hiring the Best Car Accident Attorney in New York: Client Testimonials and Success Stories

Why You Need an Auto Accident Lawyer in New York