In Westchester County, NY, certain car accidents have to be reported to the necessary parties. If you don’t report your crash when required, you can have difficulty recovering the compensatory damages you deserve against a negligent driver.
Only car accidents resulting in injury, death, or property damage need to be reported in Westchester County, NY. That said, it’s wise to report any accident, even if injuries or property damage aren’t immediately apparent after a crash. Generally, victims have ten days to report their collisions to the police and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). It’s also important to inform your insurance promptly within 30 days of a crash. Reporting your collision is crucial to creating documentation of your injuries and their cause. If you’re having difficulty reporting an accident to the necessary parties, ask an experienced Westchester County, NY lawyer for help.
Our attorneys are dedicated to helping Westchester County, NY car accident victims recover the damages they deserve. For a free case evaluation with the Westchester, NY car accident lawyers at The Martello Law Firm, PLLC, call today at (914) 685-6950.
What Vehicle Accidents Do You Have to Report in Westchester County, NY?
While it’s a good idea to report any vehicle accident in Westchester County, NY, regardless of its initial severity, only certain collisions must be reported. Generally, car accidents involving injury, property damage, or death must be reported to the authorities in Westchester County, NY.
Injury
If you were recently injured in a car accident and sustained any injuries, it’s important that you report your collision. In Westchester County, NY victims who are at all injured are required to report a crash to the police and the Department of Motor Vehicles. Even if you don’t initially appear injured, it’s best to report your accident anyway. Several common car accident injuries, like whiplash, can take a few days to appear. Other injuries may show their true severity as time passes. So, even if you don’t think you’re injured, it’s a good idea to report your Westchester County, NY car accident.
Property Damage
Any vehicle accident that results in upwards of $1,000 worth of property damage has to be reported in Westchester County, NY. That said, estimating property damage can be difficult in the stressful aftermath of a collision. So, even if there is the slightest scratch on your vehicle, report your accident. If the damage to your vehicle is above the threshold for reporting, and you fail to do so, you may have difficulty recovering compensation.
Death
Any vehicle accident in Westchester County, NY that results in a victim’s death must be reported to the authorities. Generally, the responsible party must alert the police if your loved one died in a car accident. Be sure to call Westchester County law enforcement officials if you were injured in a crash that caused another victim’s death. It’s crucial that victims and their families get the respect and response they deserve after such a serious car accident in Westchester County, NY.
How Long Do You Have to Report a Westchester County, NY Vehicle Accident?
Reporting your Westchester County, NY car accident, and doing so quickly, is important. Generally, there are strict guidelines for reporting your injuries. Not to mention, you may have to report your accident to more parties than you anticipated. So, understanding the proper reporting schedule is crucial, especially if you plan to file a lawsuit for compensatory damages.
Generally, it’s best to report your car accident to the police right away. While victims in Westchester County, NY have ten days from a crash to file a report with law enforcement officials, calling the police to an accident scene is best. That way, officers can create a crash report detailing a collision, which can be invaluable to your future Mount Vernon car accident lawyer.
Victims also have just ten days to report car accidents to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Remember, any accident that you have to report to the police must also be reported to the DMV in Westchester County, NY.
In addition to law enforcement officials and the DMV, it’s important that Westchester County, NY victims report their vehicle accidents to their insurance. The no-fault insurance laws in Westchester County, NY can make it difficult for car accident victims to recover sufficient compensation or hold a negligent driver accountable in a lawsuit. Because recovery can already be challenging for victims, it’s best not to make it harder by missing reporting deadlines.
Generally, victims have 30 days from an accident to report their crash to their personal injury protection insurance in Westchester County, NY. That said, some insurance companies have shorter reporting deadlines, so ask your Westchester County, NY car accident lawyer for clarification on yours.
What Happens if You Don’t Report a Vehicle Accident in Westchester County, NY?
You can face serious consequences if you choose not to report a vehicle accident in Westchester County, NY. Not only can you be penalized, but you may also have more difficulty recovering compensatory damages in a lawsuit against a negligent driver.
When Westchester County, NY car accident victims fail to report collisions involving injury, property damage, or death within ten days, they can see their driver’s license suspended. However, a suspended license may be the least of your problems.
Failing to report a vehicle accident means there may be little to no documentation of your crash. This can make it difficult to prove that your injuries or property damage were caused by a negligent driver’s actions. Filing a police report and informing your insurance are crucial steps in establishing a car accident and subsequent damages.
If you haven’t yet reported your accident, and it’s been less than ten days since it occurred, reach out to an experienced Yonkers car accident lawyer. Your attorney can help you file a report with the police and the DMV and help you inform your insurance company of a crash.
Call Our Westchester County, NY Attorneys After Your Car Accident
If you need assistance reporting your vehicle accident in Westchester County, NY, our attorneys can help. For a free case evaluation with the White Plains car accident lawyers at The Martello Law Firm, PLLC, call today at (914) 685-6950.
