If you get into a big car accident where there’s damage and major injuries, you probably know that a lawyer’s help can come in handy. But what about a minor car accident? Should you still contact our Westchester County car accident attorneys? In some cases, yes. A lawyer’s assistance could be helpful even after a minor car accident.
What Should I Do After a Minor Car Accident?
Your first priority after a minor car accident should be your safety. You should try to:
- Get the vehicles involved pulled over somewhere safe
- Take pictures of the damage and the accident scene
- Get insurance information and contact information for other drivers
- Talk to any witnesses and get their contact information
- Avoid making any statements that could be interpreted as you taking blame
Should I Call the Cops After a Minor Car Accident?
It’s still a good idea to call the police even if the crash wasn’t a major one. New York requires you to report a crash to the cops if anyone is injured or if there is significant property damage. Even if you’re involved in a minor car accident, car repairs can cost more than you would think and can easily rise to the level of significant property damage. Someone could also be injured and not aware of it yet, but we’ll get to that in a moment.
Having the cops come out to the scene can also be helpful because they will write up a police report. This is a document that the insurers can reference when you make a claim.
Can a Minor Car Accident Cause Injuries?
Even a low-speed accident can cause injuries. People tend to brush off a minor collision and assume that they are fine, but that is not advised. You could have whiplash, a serious neck injury, or other health issues that need to be addressed. This is why you should see a doctor as soon as you can and why you shouldn’t rule out hiring a lawyer just yet.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me?
A lawyer can help you after a fender bender in a few ways. They can:
- Help you negotiate with an insurance company if they try to deny or lowball your claim
- Defend you if someone else is trying to hold you accountable for the accident
- Look over a settlement offer and advise you about whether or not to accept it
If you have any questions at all about claiming compensation or dealing with the insurance companies, a lawyer can answer them.
Schedule Your Case Consultation
So if you are having issues with insurance companies or other drivers after a minor car accident, do not hesitate to reach out. Contact Hausman & Pendzick to schedule a free, no-obligation case consultation.