Immediately after you are involved in a car accident, you should:

Stop

However minor you think a car accident is, you must stop. In fact, failing to do so is against the law. You should make sure your car’s engine is turned off and then turn your hazard lights on to alert other road users to your presence.

Dial 911

Take a look around and if anyone has been injured in the car accident you should call the police (and an ambulance, if necessary) as soon as possible.
The police should also be called if the car accident is blocking the road.

Give Your Details

When you’re involved in a car accident you’re obliged to give your name and address to anyone else involved. Avoid apologizing for the accident until you know precisely what happened. Stop and give your details if you crash into something on or near the road even if there aren’t any other people involved. If you hit a parked car, for example, you should leave your details under the windshield wiper. Car accidents should be reported to the police within 24 hours. Failure to do so could result in a fine, points on your license, or even a suspension.

Get the other Driver’s Details

After a car accident, collect as many details as possible. Get names, addresses, and contact numbers. Ask the other drivers involved for their car insurance information; and try to establish whether they are the registered owner of the vehicle. If they aren’t, find out who is and make a note of that name and address.

Call 911 immediately if someone leaves the scene of the car accident without giving their details.

Other Details

Try to collect at the scene of the car the registration numbers of all vehicles involved, plus a note of each vehicle’s color, make and model. Note the time and date of the crash, and include a sketch showing the positions of where all vehicles came to rest.
Note the weather conditions, and anything unusual about the road conditions and lighting. Record the names of any witnesses or police officers at the scene. Make a list of damage to all vehicles with a description of any injuries sustained by pedestrians, drivers and passengers. Take photos of the car accident, and especially the other drivers for use as evidence. Showing a driver chatting with police who later claims to have suffered sever injuries will help save your case!
Most modern mobile phones will take good enough shots to help you remember important details. Most insurance companies will even accept these photos by email when you file a claim.

Contact an Auto Accident Lawyer

No one said driving in Rockland County is easy. Upstate New York in general is an automobile accident waiting to happen. Narrow and icy roads through Pamona, Spring Valley, Montebello, and Orangeburg pose special hazards such as wet leaves, snow drifts, and potholes. Don’t blame yourself before you get all the facts. Contact an auto accident lawyer in Spring Valley immediately after you have done all your duties at the accident scene.

If the other driver was belligerent, negligent, or just plain left the scene of the accident without stopping, you need to call an auto accident lawyer in Pamona right away. If you think you are injured, even days after the accident, then you definitely need to call an auto accident lawyer in Montebello. Our firm even has a convenient location for an auto accident lawyer in Orangeburg. Don’t hesitate. Contact us today!