Latronica Law



	The Latronica Law Firm, P.C. - 516-796-9700

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE AN AUTO ACCIDENT?

Immediately report the accident to the police and, although it is necessary to report the accident to your insurance company, call our law firm first to make sure that your rights and interests are being protected. Many of the following recommendations could be expedited with the retaining of an attorney.

Exchange information. To the extent possible exchange names, license plate numbers, insurance carrier names and policy numbers of all involved in the accident. Try to obtain the names, addresses and telephone numbers of any witnesses to the accident.

Draw a map or a diagram of the accident scene including the direction all vehicles were heading prior to the impact and what happened at impact. Try to accomplish this as soon as possible after the accident so that your recollection will be fresh and, therefore, accurate.

Take a note of any conversation between the parties to the accident. Did anyone take responsibility for the accident.

You can make a statement to the police officer at the scene of the accident but it is NOT recommended that you give any other statements to anyone including any insurance carriers prior to consulting with our office.

If the automobile accident caused a fatality, personal injury or damage of over $1,000.00 to the property of any one person, then all the involved drivers must file form MV-104 (report of motor vehicle accident) within 10 days of any accident occurring in New York State with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Failure to do so within 10 days is a misdemeanor, which can result in the suspension of your license and/or your registration.

If the police are not present at the scene of the accident, it is essential for you to file a police report at the closest police precinct.

It is important to obtain the Police Accident Report as soon as possible. The accident report contains information regarding the insurance carriers of all the automobiles involved in the accident as well as the insurance carriers of these vehicles. The accident report is usually available within 24 hours of the accident at the precinct that responded to the accident.

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