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Car Accident Attorney in Albany, NY

There are a few moments in your life that can be as terrifying as being involved in a serious car accident. Even a minor fender bender can sometimes result in a permanent physical injury. It doesn’t take a catastrophic injury to cause long-term damage to your body and psychological trauma from which it can be difficult to heal. An Albany car accident lawyer can help you build a case and seek financial compensation and accountability from those at fault.

albany car accident lawyer

The legal team at Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC, recognizes the difficulty of managing your own car accident claim while also struggling to heal from your injuries, regardless of whether or not those injuries are physical or psychological. Having an experienced Albany car accident attorney in your corner to help you better understand the state’s comprehensive car accident laws can often be the difference between success and failure in a case like yours. Our firm can provide help.

How to Handle Yourself After a Car Accident

If you are injured in a car accident in Albany, you will most likely be taken to the Albany Medical Center on New Scotland Avenue. This is the region’s only Level 1 trauma center for both adults and children. If your injuries are not as severe, the EMTs may take you to a different location, such as St. Peter’s Hospital or the Albany Memorial Campus. Considering there were 1,114 car accident fatalities in New York in 2023, you may just be glad to have survived.

It’s always important to remember that every action you choose to take in the wake of your accident will be recorded in both the police report and your accident claim. Car accidents are not rare in Albany. In 2022 alone, there were 3,838 traffic accidents in the city, with 575 resulting in an injury of some kind. Knowing how to handle yourself after being in a car accident can be vital information you’ll be thankful you have. Here are some important steps you can take:

  • Remain calm. Being in a car accident can be instantly traumatic and hard to deal with in the immediate aftermath. It’s vital that you do what you can to stay calm and not panic. Panicking won’t help this situation in any way and could just result in making things much worse. You will want to proceed with a level head, and that can be easier said than done. Take a few moments, breathe, gather yourself, and assess your situation.
  • Check for injuries. One of the very first things you should do after a car accident is check your body for injuries, then do the same for any passengers who are in the car. A bad accident can result in a severe state of shock, which can make it difficult to feel any injuries, even bad ones. Take some time to feel around your body for blood, protrusions, swelling, bruising, and anything that could be broken. Tell the EMTs what you find.
  • Call 911. Make sure you call 911 as soon as possible. Get the police and EMTs to the scene as quickly as possible. Let the EMTs check you for injuries more thoroughly and take you to a trauma center if you’re badly injured. When speaking with the police, don’t admit any fault for the accident. Admitting fault can hurt your chances of getting compensated. Be honest and respectful, but never accept blame for what happened.
  • Don’t flee the scene. One of the worst things you could do for your case is flee the scene of an accident. According to New York state law, fleeing the scene of a bad accident without reporting it to the police can result in serious criminal charges that could even result in jail time. Remain at the scene and wait for the police to arrive.
  • Exchange information. You will need to exchange relevant information with the other driver. Get their name, contact info, insurance details, and driver’s license number. Give them the same information. Don’t admit fault to the other driver either, as they could use that against you when one of you files an insurance claim.
  • Move your car. If the police allow it, you should consider moving your car. If your car is still sitting in the middle of the road, it could cause another accident. Move it onto the shoulder. If you’re too injured to move the car or the car is too damaged to move, don’t worry about it. It will be moved eventually.
  • Document the scene. As soon as the police clear the scene, you need to start documenting everything for your own records. Everything you write down or photograph will be important for your accident claim. Write down an exact record of the accident as you remember it. Do this as soon as you can while the memory is still fresh. Take photos of the damage to your car, your injuries, and the road conditions.
  • Gather witness statements. If the accident happened on a busy road, there may be many witnesses you can speak to. If anyone is willing to provide you with a statement, get their contact information. They may be important later for your accident claim.
  • See a doctor. It’s important that you seek out a qualified doctor to give you a check-up and check you for injuries more thoroughly. They may find something that the EMTs missed. Additionally, you will need a medical record of your injuries for your claim.
  • Report the accident. New York is a no-fault state for car accidents. This means you need to report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Make sure you don’t admit fault to them either, as doing so could jeopardize your claim. Even apologizing can be misconstrued as admitting fault. Be honest about the accident, don’t speculate as to the cause, and never admit fault.
  • Consult with a lawyer. Once you’ve seen a doctor and reported the accident to your insurance carrier, you should bring all of your evidence to an experienced car accident lawyer and start working on your accident claim. Your lawyer can speak with your insurance company and the other driver’s insurance company on your behalf and assist you with building a strong case.

FAQs

What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident in New York?

There is no way to determine what the average settlement for a car accident in New York is, since every car accident case is different. Each case has its own unique contributing factors that will directly influence the amount you could receive in a settlement. Those factors include the severity of your injuries, whether or not you are partially at fault for causing the accident, and your lawyer’s own experience handling cases similar to your own.

Can a Car Accident Cause a Spinal Cord Injury?

Yes, a car accident can easily cause a spinal cord injury. Spinal cord injuries are a fairly common consequence of a bad car accident. The sudden jolt of the accident can cause your spine to fracture or even snap, resulting in paralysis and other long-term injuries. Other spinal injuries like whiplash, herniated discs, and facet joint injuries are all within the realm of possibility after a bad car accident. Make sure you hire a good injury lawyer.

Is It Worth Pursuing Legal Action Over a Car Accident?

Ultimately, you’re the one who has to answer this question for yourself. It depends on what you’ve lost from the accident. If the accident resulted in serious injuries, property damage, lost wages, and more, then you should absolutely consider taking legal action against the individual who caused your accident. It’s reasonable to want accountability and compensatory damages to pay for your medical bills, which could be ongoing. For that alone, it’s worth it.

Do Insurance Companies Prefer to Settle After a Car Accident?

Yes, most insurance companies prefer to settle after a car accident. Settling an accident claim out of court is often much easier than enduring a trial. Trials are often expensive, explosive, and unpredictable. By settling out of court, you are paying much less in legal fees, but you are also risking a lowball settlement offer. Always remember that you are under no obligation to accept any settlement offer you feel is insulting or doesn’t accurately reflect what you’ve been through.

Make Sure You Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

Dealing with the legal and medical aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming on your own. That’s why you should hire a car accident lawyer to handle your case for you, giving you the chance to focus on recovering from your injuries. At Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC, our team has more than 50 years of combined legal experience helping clients through their personal injury situations. We know what kind of help you need.

Consider reaching out to Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC, for help in building a strong case, gathering evidence, and negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf. Contact us to speak with a member of our team who knows what to do for you.

Albany, NY Car Accident Legal Resources