What Should I Do After A Car Accident in New York?

Look, nobody wakes up expecting to get into a car accident. You’re just trying to get to work or pick up the kids and some guy runs a red light on Flatbush Avenue and now your whole day, maybe your whole life, is turned upside down.

Don’t panic. Here’s exactly what you need to do.

Step 1: Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

First things first — are you okay? Check your body. Neck stiff? Head hurting? Don’t brush it off because you’re in shock mode. Adrenaline is real, and it will mask pain. A lot of Brooklyn folks tough it out and say “I’m fine” at the scene, then wake up three days later unable to turn their neck. Don’t be that person.

If anyone is seriously hurt, call 911 immediately. No debate, no hesitation.

Step 2: Call the Police — Every Single Time

Even if it’s a fender bender on Flatbush. Even if the other driver is begging you to “just handle it between us.” Do not skip the police report. That report is your paper trail. Without it, it becomes your word against theirs — and insurance companies love that situation because it usually means they pay you nothing.

When the officer arrives, tell them what happened clearly and calmly. Stick to the facts. Don’t say “I’m fine” on record — because again, you might not know yet.

Step 3: Grab Everything You Can At The Scene 

Your phone is your best friend right now. Use it:

• Take photos of both cars, the damage, the license plates, the street signs, skid marks, everything

• Get the other driver’s name, license number, insurance info, and plate number.

• Look around for witnesses — somebody on the corner, a delivery guy, anyone who saw what happened. Get their number if you can. 

• Notice any cameras nearby — bodegas, banks, traffic cams. Those can be gold later. 

Step 4: See a Doctor — Even If You Feel Fine

This one is huge and people get it wrong all the time.

Go to the doctor within 24 hours. Not next week. Not when it “gets worse.” Now. Why? Because insurance companies will use the gap in your medical treatment against you. They’ll say, “Well, if you were really hurt, why did you wait two weeks to see anyone?”

Don’t give them that ammunition. Go to the ER, an urgent care, your regular doctor — just go. Get it documented.

Step 5: Don’t Post About It Online

We know, we know. It’s tempting to throw something up on the Instagram or text the group chat. But anything you post publicly can and will be used against your case. A photo of you smiling at a cookout a week after your accident? The insurance company’s lawyer will find it and use it to say you’re not really hurt.

Keep it off social media. Tell your close people in person.

Step 6: Watch Out For The Insurance Company

Here’s something they don’t tell you: the other driver’s insurance company is not your friend. They’re going to call you fast — sometimes within days — and offer you a quick settlement. It might sound like a lot of money when you’re stressed and your car is wrecked.

Don’t sign anything. Don’t give a recorded statement. Don’t accept that low ball check.

Once you sign, that’s it. You can’t go back and ask for more money even if your injuries turn out to be serious. Your personal injury case is done. And in New York, injuries from car accidents can lead to long-term medical bills, lost wages, and pain that follows you for years.

Step 7: Call a Brooklyn Personal Injury Lawyer

You don’t have to figure this out alone. A good personal injury attorney will handle the insurance companies, make sure your medical treatment is covered, and fight to get you what you actually deserve — not what the insurance company feels like offering.

And here’s the thing most people don’t know: you don’t pay anything upfront. Personal injury lawyers in New York work on contingency, which means they only get paid if you win. So there’s no reason not to make the call.

The Bottom Line

Car accidents happen every single day on the streets of Brooklyn. Whether it’s on the BQE, the Belt Parkway, or a side street in Bed-Stuy — you have rights, and you deserve to be taken care of.

Don’t tough it out. Don’t let the insurance company lowball you. And definitely don’t wait too long — New York has deadlines for filing injury claims that you cannot miss.

Got into an accident? Call Koenig Pierre today. Before you get carried away — call him first.

Here are the most FAQs people have after a car accident in New York: 

When should I contact a car accident attorney?

ASAP. Get legal help immediately is important to preserve critical evidence, manage insurance adjusters, and avoid expensive legal errors.

What does no-fault insurance cover?

Regardless of who caused the accident, New York no-fault insurance covers your immediate economic losses up to $50,000, at a minimum. Your own insurer pays these benefits directly so you can get medical treatment without waiting for a legal dispute to settle.

Can I still sue the other driver?

To sue the at-fault driver directly and step outside the no-fault system, your injuries must first meet a specific legal threshold of seriousness.

Do I really needed to go to the hospital if I feel okay?  

Seeking immediate medical treatment after a car accident in New York protects both your health and your legal rights. Even if you feel fine, adrenaline can mask severe injuries like internal bleeding, concussions, or whiplash.

How much is my case worth?

It depends. A reputable lawyer will not give an exact number immediately, but they should explain the types of compensation (medical, lost wages, pain and suffering) you can seek.

Bonus Tip

Do not apologize or admit fault at the scene (it can be used against you). 

Call 1-800-946-4616 To Schedule A Free Consultation With An Experienced Car Accident Attorney!

About the Author: Koenig Pierre, Esq. Koenig Pierre is a New York personal injury attorney licensed in New York State and based in Brooklyn. He earned his J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law and focuses his practice on helping injury victims in Brooklyn’s Flatbush, Crown Heights, and East Flatbush communities.