Top 6 Steps to Take Following a Car Accident in
Staten Island, New York

It is crucial to take the following actions if you are involved in a car accident in Staten Island, New York:

1. Injuries:

Stop and look over yourself and any passengers for injuries. If there are any, seek medical help right once.

2. Call the police:

Call 911 to report the collision to the police. They will aid in controlling the situation, looking into the collision, and compiling a report.

In New York, you need take the following actions to report a car collision to the police:

Call 911 to report the accident, seek medical aid, and request a police response if there are any injuries or if the vehicles have sustained significant damage.

Give details: When the police show up, give them your name, address, and insurance details. Also, address their questions and give a short account of how the accident happened.

A report will be created by the police after gathering information from all parties involved. Then get a copy of the report so you have it for your records.

Contact your insurance provider: As soon as you can after the accident, notify your insurance provider. Give them the information and get a copy of the police report.

It’s crucial to remain at the accident scene until the police show up and to give precise and thorough information. Criminal charges may be brought against someone who gives the police a false or misleading statement or flea from an accident scene.

3. Trade information:

Obtain the other driver’s and any witnesses’ names, addresses, and insurance details. Record the make, model, and license plate number of the other involved vehicles as well.

4. Take Pictures:

Taking pictures of the accident scene is crucial for preserving your legal rights and interests. Here are some tips on how to document the scene:

Use your phone or camera to take pictures of the damage to all involved vehicles, the area as a whole, and any other important details like road signs, skid marks, or debris.

Details should be noted: Record the time, date, location, the weather, and any other important information. Note the other driver’s name, address, insurance information, and that of any witnesses.

Obtain the police report: The police report will have everyone’s account of how the accident happened. It will also have a diagram of the scene, the locations of the involved vehicles, and any tickets issued to the drivers.

Gather evidence: Photos of damage to the cars, people and city property (i.e, stop sign). Other evidence can be skid marks on the roadway or debris on the roadway.

Seek eyewitness accounts: If there were any witnesses, try to get their names, phone numbers, and a brief statement about what they saw.

It is important to act quickly and thoroughly when documenting the scene of a car accident. The information you gather can be crucial in a lawsuit or insurance dispute

5. Report the accident:

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible and provide them with the information you have gathered. Do not admit fault or make any statements that could be interpreted as admitting fault. It is best practice to contact a lawyer ASAP and discuss with him or her about if you should even talk to your insurance company or the other drivers’ insurance company.

For your convenience, here is a list of some of the more popular car insurance companies in New York and their phone numbers:

• State Farm: 1-800-STATE-FARM (1-800-782-8332)
• Allstate: 1-800-ALLSTATE (1-800-255-7828)
• GEICO: 1-800-861-8380
• Progressive: 1-800-PROGRESSIVE (1-800-776-4737)
• Farmers: 1-800-FARMERS (1-800-327-6377)
• Nationwide: 1-877-669-6877

*Before calling you should seriously consider contacting a personal injury lawyer to protect all your rights.

6. Seek legal assistance:

If the accident resulted in significant damage or injury, consider seeking the assistance of a personal injury lawyer who can help you navigate the insurance and legal process. Most personal injury lawyers will offer a free consultation, some even by telephone. Most personal injury lawyers do not even charge any upfront fee’s and only get paid if you get paid.

To make sure that you are protected and that the accident is accurately reported, it is crucial to maintain your composure and follow these instructions.