If you get into a car accident, you shouldn’t wait too long to tell your insurance company about it. If you wait too long to report the accident, you could end up dealing with unnecessary hassles and extra annoyances, especially if it turns out that you need to make an insurance claim. A car accident lawyer in Queens can tell you more about why you need to inform your insurer about a crash and what you can do if you’re left facing a big car repair bill and medical expenses.
How Long Do I Have to Report the Accident in NY?
Insurance companies generally want you to report a crash within 24 hours. You should tell your insurer:
- When and where the crash happened
- Who was involved
- Whether there are witnesses
- If police came to the scene and wrote up a report
- If anyone was injured
What Should I Do If No One Was Injured?
You should still report the accident to the insurance company if no one was injured. Insurers are concerned about property damage too. If there is any chance that a claim will be filed, either by you or by another driver, you should inform your insurer.
Can My Insurer Punish Me If I Don’t Report the Accident?
The biggest risk is that your insurance company will deny your claim if you do not report the accident in a timely manner. Because New York is a no-fault state, you have to go through your own insurance when you need compensation, so you do not want to have your claim denied.
If your claim is accepted, reporting the accident late can still cause issues. This could hold up your claim in processing and that means that it will take longer to get your money.
How Can a Lawyer Help?
Unfortunately, even if you do everything right an insurance company can still deny your claim or send you a lowball offer that barely helps with your expenses. This is even more likely if you have serious injuries and need to make a claim with another driver’s insurance company. They will fight to deny accusations of wrongdoing on behalf of their insured driver.
An experienced personal injury attorney can help you build a compelling case and gather the evidence needed to show that someone else is at fault for your accident. We’re ready to negotiate with the insurance companies and hold all liable parties accountable.
Meet With a Personal Injury Attorney
If you have any questions about what you should do after a car accident, we can help. Contact the Law Offices of George Poulos to schedule a consultation with our team and learn more about any legal options available to you. We’re ready to get to work on your behalf.
