Hurt in NYC? 10 First Steps After a Car Accident to Protect Your Injury Claim

If you were in a car crash in New York City or the surrounding counties, the hours and days after the collision shape your legal options. This checklist covers immediate safety, medical care, documentation, insurance notifications, and common mistakes that weaken claims.

Step 1: Get to Safety and Call 911

Move vehicles out of traffic if possible and call 911. The police report (MV‑104A) becomes a central record for insurers and, if needed, the court. If anyone is hurt, ask for EMS. Even seemingly minor symptoms can worsen.

Step 2: Seek Prompt Medical Care

Delays create two problems: your health suffers and insurers argue you were not seriously hurt. Use ER, urgent care, or your doctor the same day if you can. Describe every symptom (headache, dizziness, tingling, anxiety) so it’s documented.

Step 3: Photograph and Video Everything

Capture vehicle damage, road debris, skid marks, weather, traffic signals, and your injuries. Include wide shots and close‑ups. If you can’t, ask a passenger or bystander to help. Preserve dashcam footage.

Step 4: Exchange Info and Identify Witnesses

Get names, phone numbers, and insurers for all drivers. Photograph licenses and plates. Ask bystanders for contact info before they leave; unbiased witnesses can determine fault.

Step 5: Notify Your Insurer and Start No‑Fault Benefits

New York’s no‑fault (PIP) provides medical and lost‑wage benefits regardless of fault, but strict deadlines apply (generally 30 days to file). Submit forms fully and keep copies. If your employer must verify lost wages, coordinate early.

Step 6: Don’t Give Recorded Statements to the Other Insurer

Third‑party adjusters want statements to limit payouts. You’re not required to provide a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer. Politely decline until you’ve spoken with counsel.

Step 7: Track Expenses and Keep a Recovery Journal

Save receipts for medications, transport, medical devices, and repairs. Keep a daily journal of pain levels, sleep, missed events, and activity limits—contemporaneous notes can corroborate non‑economic damages.

Step 8: Be Careful on Social Media

Insurers and defense firms review public posts. A single upbeat photo can be twisted to downplay pain. Keep accounts private and avoid posting about the crash or your health.

Step 9: Understand ‘Serious Injury’ Thresholds

To sue beyond no‑fault, New York requires a qualifying ‘serious injury’ (e.g., significant limitation, fracture, 90/180 rule). Your medical records and imaging, not just complaints, drive this analysis.

Step 10: Call a Personal Injury Lawyer Early

Preserving evidence and navigating no‑fault deadlines is time‑sensitive. Early legal counsel stops insurer overreach and protects your rights. Call Seelig Law today at (212) 766-0600.

What Not to Do

• Don’t leave the scene prematurely.
  • Don’t apologize or guess about fault.
  • Don’t skip follow‑up appointments.
  • Don’t accept quick low settlements before you understand long‑term care.

How P. Seelig Law Helps

We coordinate medical documentation, investigate fault, negotiate with insurers, and litigate when needed. From police reports to expert testimony, P. Seelig Law builds cases that reflect the full impact on your life.