What should I do after being hurt in a car accident in New York?

Unfortunately, car accidents are more common an occurrence than we’d like to imagine. While you can’t avoid car accidents, you can prepare for them. In this article, we’ll discuss what to know if you’ve been injured in a car accident. Continue reading and then contact a Buffalo auto accident lawyer today so we can help you navigate this challenging time.

Why should I seek medical attention following a car accident?

The first thing that you should do after being injured in a car accident is to contact the authorities and get medical attention. Once the authorities arrive on the scene, they will begin creating a report and recording the damages to your vehicle, so seeking medical attention should be your priority. If you’re concerned about documenting the evidence from the accident for insurance and compensatory purposes, then seeking medical attention can still be a viable way to do this. Treating your injuries may allow you to:

  • Protect your health
  • Document your injuries
  • Prove causation from the car accident
  • Activate your car insurance coverage

How do most car accidents occur in New York?

Despite your best intentions, there is no guarantee that you won’t get into a car accident. Driving safely and abiding by the rules of the road are great ways to keep other drivers safe, but this may not stop another driver from risking your health. The fact of the matter is that the number one cause of most car accidents is negligence. Dangerous driving conditions, like inclement weather or unmaintained roads, do cause car accidents. However, negligent driving is more common and innocuous. For instance. Negligent driving may look like:

  • Driving while under the influence
  • Driving too fast
  • Drowsy driving
  • Tailgating
  • Ignoring traffic lights or stop signs

Does New York follow comparative negligence in car accident cases?

Suppose you’ve been injured in a car accident and are considering pursuing legal action to receive compensation. In that case, you should be aware of the fact that New York follows the comparative negligence rule. This means that you can be found partially responsible for the car accident and then have a portion of your compensation reduced by the percentage you were at fault for. That being said, don’t be discouraged from pursuing compensation for your financial and non-financial troubles suffered from the car accident. Instead, contact a Buffalo, New York personal injury attorney so that we can discuss your options.

Contact Our Experienced New York Firm

If you require legal representation for matters of personal injury in New York, contact Ramos & Ramos. Whether you were injured in an auto accident, a slip and fall, or under any other circumstances, we’re here to help.