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Each year over 2.5 million visitors travel throughout the Hudson Valley, enjoying the region’s picturesque views, tourist attractions and hiking trails. Combined with the over one million local residents, area roads can become quite congested. The results of this increased traffic can be dangerous; over 100,000 New Yorkers annually seek treatment at an emergency room or hospital due to motor vehicle accidents.
If you’ve been involved in a collision, either as a driver or passenger, there are five things you should do right away:
Seek medical attention.
After a car crash, it’s important to ensure anyone injured receives medical attention, even if they feel fine. Oftentimes, victims claim the collision caused no physical effects, only to find serious injuries develop later.
Call the police.
If there was significant property damage or anyone was injured, drivers must call the police and file a report. When the police arrive, describe what occurred and be as detailed as possible.
Exchange information with the other drivers and take notes.
It’s important to get the names, numbers, addresses, license plate numbers and insurance information from any drivers involved in the collision. Keep conversations short and do not apologize, even if you believe the crash was partially your fault. Apologizing can be admitting legal liability. It’s helpful to take notes because emotions can run high following a crash, and should you decide to take legal action, they can be helpful.
Talk to witnesses.
If anyone is near the scene, ask them to describe what they saw and obtain their contact information. Two good questions to ask are: “Did you see the other driver participating in any distracted driving behaviors?” and ”Have you ever witnessed any collisions in the same area?”
Talk to an attorney.
There are many reasons to seek legal action. If you believe you may have a case, it’s always a good idea to speak to an attorney.
The Law Offices of Sobo & Sobo offer a free initial consultation to listen to your story and help you determine if you have a case. They can be reached at 1-855-GOT-SOBO or at one of their offices located throughout the Hudson Valley.
