You just got hit. Your heart is racing. Your hands are shaking. You’re parked on the side of the road, and you have no idea what to do next. Should you move your car? Call the police? Visit an auto repair shop in Brooklyn NY? What if the other driver wants to handle this without insurance?
We will guide you on what to do after a car accident, step by step, so you don’t make costly mistakes.
What Should You Do Immediately After a Car Accident?
First, take a breath. Then follow these steps right away.
Should You Move Your Car After an Accident?
It depends. If the accident is minor with no injuries and the car is still running, move it out of traffic. Pull into the shoulder or a parking lot. Staying in traffic lanes causes more accidents. About 18% of accidents happen because people stop in the road after a first accident.
But if anyone is hurt or the cars won’t move, leave everything where it is. Turn on your hazard lights and wait for help.
When Should You Call 911?
Call 911 if anyone is injured, even if injuries seem minor. Some injuries don’t show symptoms for hours. Call if the accident caused major damage. Call if the other driver seems drunk, angry, or won’t share information. Call if the other driver left the scene.
In New York, you must file a police report for any accident causing injury, death, or more than $1,000 in damage. That’s pretty much every accident these days.
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What Information Should You Collect at the Accident Scene?
Get everything you can. This protects you later.
Other driver info: Name, phone, address, and license number. Don’t trust them to give you real info. Look at their license yourself.
Insurance details: Company name and policy number. Take a photo of their insurance card.
Vehicle information: Make, model, year, plate number, and VIN. The VIN is on the dashboard, visible through the windshield.
Accident details: Write down the date, time, exact location, weather, and road conditions. Was it raining? Were the roads icy? This matters.
Photos: Take pictures of all damage from multiple angles. Photograph the whole scene, skid marks, traffic signs, and street names. Take at least 20 photos. More is better.
Witnesses: If people saw it happen, get their names and phone numbers. They might help prove your case later.
Police report: Get the report number and the officer’s name. You’ll need this for insurance.
Your injuries: Note any pain, soreness, cuts, or bruises right away. Even if you feel fine, write down what happened. Injuries often show up later.
What Are the Critical Steps After Leaving the Accident Scene?
Once you’re away from the scene, keep taking action.
When Should You Contact Your Insurance Company?
Call your insurance within 24 hours. Most policies require quick reporting. Waiting too long can hurt your claim or even void your coverage.
What Should You Tell Your Insurance?
Stick to facts. Tell them when, where, and how the accident happened. Describe the damage. Report any injuries. Share what the other driver said if relevant.
What Should You Not Say to Insurance?
Never say it was your fault, even if you think it was. Don’t say you’re not hurt. Injuries appear days later. Don’t guess about details. If you don’t remember something, say you don’t remember. Don’t give a recorded statement without talking to a lawyer first if the accident was serious.
Do You Need to See a Doctor After a Car Accident?
Yes, always. Even if you feel fine. About 60% of accident injuries don’t show symptoms immediately. Whiplash, back injuries, and concussions can take 24 to 72 hours to heal.
See a doctor within 48 hours. This creates medical records proving your injuries came from the accident. Insurance companies love to claim your injuries happened somewhere else if you wait too long.
Tell your doctor about every single pain or discomfort, no matter how small. It goes in your medical record. This protects your claim.
When Should You Contact a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
Call a lawyer if you have any injuries, the other driver has no insurance, the insurance company denies your claim, the accident caused serious damage, fault is unclear, or the other driver blames you.
Most car accident lawyers work on contingency. You pay nothing unless you win. About 95% of people who hire lawyers get bigger settlements than people who handle claims alone.
What Mistakes Should You Avoid After a Car Accident?
Don’t leave without collecting information. Don’t admit fault at the scene. Don’t post about the accident on social media. Insurance companies check your Facebook and Instagram looking for reasons to deny claims. Don’t accept a quick settlement offer without talking to someone. First offers are usually way too low. Don’t skip getting your car properly inspected and repaired by certified auto repair shop in Brooklyn.
Get Your Car Fixed Right After the Accident
Your car got hit. Insurance approved the claim, but now you need repairs. You’re worried about finding an auto repair shop in Brooklyn that does quality work. You’ve heard horror stories about shops doing cheap fixes that fall apart in months. And you need your car back fast because you can’t miss work.
A1 Auto Repair Shop Brooklyn handles accident repairs correctly. We work directly with insurance companies, so you don’t deal with the paperwork hassle. We do complete inspections to find hidden damage that insurance might miss. Our repairs come with written warranties. And we update you daily so you know exactly when your car will be ready.
