Dealing with the consequences of a car crash can be complicated and stressful. It is understandable that some car accident victims might consider settling privately with other parties to an accident. Furthermore, it is common for parties who know they caused an accident to offer to settle without involving insurance companies.
However, it is not a good idea to privately settle a car accident with injuries in New York. While it may not be illegal, seeking a private settlement without a lawyer after a car accident can lead to negative outcomes for injury victims. Our Westchester car accident lawyers can help victims by dealing with insurance companies and negotiating for fair compensation.
If you were injured in a car accident, get help by calling The Martello Law Firm at (914) 685-6950 for a free case review.
Potential Problems with Settling a Car Accident with Injuries Privately in New York
The damages stemming from car accidents can be extensive. Furthermore, some damages may not present themselves until well after a car accident. It is important for victims to take time to assess the damages they incurred and the legal remedies available to them. The following are some common issues that occur when settling privately in New York:
Medical Issues that Develop Later
Even if victims feel well immediately after a car crash, they should wait to assess their injuries. Car accident pain, symptoms, and injuries can present themselves hours, days, or weeks after a crash. A victim’s may be masked by the rush of adrenaline that accompanies a car accident. Furthermore, different people may have varying reactions to injuries.
Accordingly, if car crash victims settle before their injuries develop, they may be unable to recover compensation. Our Yonkers car accident lawyers can help injured parties determine the full extent of their injuries.
Furthermore, individuals should notify their own insurance company of a crash. Insurers may refuse to cover claims stemming from an unreported incident. Reporting an accident will protect individuals from having to pay other parties’ claims for late-developing medical issues out of pocket.
Undetected Vehicle Damage
Property damage stemming from car crashes will depend on circumstances surrounding the accident such as speed, weather, and type of vehicles involved. Property damage can be obvious. However, there are times when property damage is hard to discover without the help of a specialist mechanic.
If a victim to a car crash settles privately without notifying their insurance company, the driver may be left paying large amounts for property damages that were not uncovered until after the settlement. Our White Plains personal injury lawyers can help victims determine if they may have experienced undetected vehicle damage because of a crash.
The Other Drivers’ Unreliability
If an individual seeks to privately settle after a car accident, there is a chance that another driver could be deceiving them. Not all drivers on the road are trustworthy. Unfortunately, there are circumstances where one party to a private settlement will not follow through with their end of the deal. Victims can help protect themselves from untrustworthy settlements by notifying their insurance company and contacting our Yonkers personal injury lawyers after a crash.
What to Do After a Car Accident in New York
It can be difficult to maintain composure after an accident. However, there are certain steps New York drivers should take after a car accident to protect the legal remedies available to them. The following advice from our Mount Vernon car accident lawyers will help car crash victims recover full compensation for their injuries.
Call 911
The initial priority after any accident for any injured parties will be medical treatment. Accordingly, the first step to take after an accident is to call 911. If anyone requires immediate treatment, the dispatcher will be able to send emergency services.
Furthermore, after calling 911, a police officer will be able to visit the scene and document the accident. A police report can be beneficial when establishing fault and recovering damages.
Exchange Information
The next step is for accident victims to exchange information with all parties to an accident. This includes contact information such as names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of all other drivers. Additionally, the insurance information and license plate numbers of all other drivers involved in the accident should be collected.
While exchanging information, it is important for drivers to avoid admitting fault or apologizing. Apologizing is a natural reaction, even when a driver did not cause an accident. However, these types of statements can also be construed as admissions of fault. Our Westchester personal injury lawyers can offer further advice on how to approach other parties after an accident.
Document the Scene
Additionally, it can be beneficial for accident victims to document crash scenes. This includes taking photos and videos after an accident. This evidence may be useful when establishing property damages and proving elements surrounding the crash such as weather and road conditions.
Furthermore, crash victims should gather contact information for any witnesses to a crash. Any witness statements can also be valuable in proving who caused a crash. It can also be beneficial for those who suffer car accidents to document their personal recollection of a crash while their memory is fresh.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Any driver in an accident in New York should notify their insurance company as soon as possible. By notifying their insurance company, drivers will protect themselves from hidden damages that may arise after an accident.
We know that communicating with insurance companies can be stressful. That is why our New Rochelle car accident lawyers are willing to deal with insurance companies and negotiate on behalf of our clients.
If You Have Been Injured in a Car Accident in New York, Our Lawyers Can Help
If you have suffered an injury in a car accident in New York, get help seeking the compensation you deserve by calling The Martello Law Firm at (914) 685-6950 for a free case review.
