The iconic Times Square is one of the busiest places in New York City, filled with tourists, commuters, street performers, and heavy traffic at all hours of the day. With thousands of pedestrians navigating the streets every minute, pedestrian accidents are bound to happen. If you’re a pedestrian who has been injured in Times Square due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation.
However, protecting your right to compensation requires you to take several important steps immediately after the accident. In this post, the team at Gabriel Law is stepping into the shoes of an accident lawyer in Queens and explaining the key steps you should take and how it can protect your claim.
What steps should you take after the pedestrian accident?
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Call 911 and report the accident—Provide key details of the accident such as time, location, and the parties involved. You can also use the call to request medical assistance.
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Receive immediate medical attention—Your health should be your number one priority, so get yourself treated as soon as possible, no matter how small your injury may be. The medical records will be crucial evidence in your compensation claim.
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Collect evidence at the scene—If you are physically able, gather as much evidence as you can while you are at the scene of the accident. The more evidence you collect, the stronger your case becomes. Also, don’t forget to exchange contact and insurance information with the other party involved.
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Consult an accident lawyer in New York—Pedestrian accidents in busy locations can lead to complex legal situations, especially when determining who is liable. By retaining the services of an NYC attorney, you can smoothly and carefully navigate the legal process.
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Notify your insurance company—Since insurance is often the first point of compensation, inform them about the accident as soon as possible. But you need to be extremely cautious when dealing with them.
What should you not do after a pedestrian accident?
Much like how there are things you need to do after an accident, there are things you shouldn’t do as well. They include:
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Skipping or refusing medical treatment
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Prematurely leaving the scene of the accident.
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Admitting fault or apologizing for the incident.
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Posting details about the accident to social media
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Speaking with an insurance adjuster without legal advice and making recorded statements.
Why are following these steps important?
At the end of the day, when you file an insurance claim or lawsuit, the idea is to be compensated for the damages suffered. When it comes to compensation, you expect a full and fair amount. You can achieve the compensation you deserve when you do and not do what is mentioned above.
Victims in accident cases will be subject to a lot of scrutiny following the immediate aftermath of an accident. The goal of the insurance adjuster is to reduce your final payout, and they will be on the lookout for any mistakes to capitalize on. For example, if you have skipped medical treatment or posted details about the accident on social media, your insurance adjuster can twist the narrative and say you are not as injured as you claim to be, all in an effort to pressure you to accept a reduced settlement.
By following the steps mentioned above, you deny insurance adjusters the opportunity to exploit and twist the narrative, increasing your chances of getting full and fair compensation.
Conclusion
Pedestrian accidents in the middle of Times Square can be quite a frightening and overwhelming experience. While you may be entitled to compensation, insurance adjusters will do everything in their power to reduce your final settlement. As a result, if you’re looking to protect your rights and secure your compensation, you need to follow some key steps that include hiring an injury attorney in Queens.
At Gabriel Law, we’ve been helping people across New York fight the good fight and secure the compensation they deserve. When you bring your case to us, we are more than ready to bring all our resources, experience, and expertise to bear on your behalf. If you’re ready to get started, contact us via phone or email and schedule your free consultation.
