According to the New York State Department of Health, there are over 100,000 hospital emergency room visits associated with car accidents each year. These numbers are staggering. Car accidents are one of the most common causes of injuries in the U.S.
Daniel Castricone is here to help. Dan worked for one of the largest insurance carriers in the country for almost 30 years. He's seen thousands of accident claims and cases. No one understands better how insurance companies think than Dan. He's seen every trick, misdirection, and subterfuge. At Castricone Law we understand how your injuries have affected your life, your family and your wallet. We understand how challenging it can be to focus on recovery when you are stressed about mounting medical expenses, health complications, lost time and wages at work, and the overall emotional impact of the accident. With Castricone Law on your side, you can rest easy knowing that we know how much you should be compensated for your injuries and what to do to secure fair compensation on your behalf.
Complex New York car accident and personal injury laws are why you need an experienced and skilled Hudson Valley car accident attorney on your side. Based on all of the damages, including costs associated with medical bills, vehicle repair, rental cars, lost wages, pain and suffering, or even wrongful death, it is important to know you have an aggressive advocate seeking to address all aspects of a case.
When it comes to insurance companies, we know their tactics, their budget management schemes, and breaking points. We provide clients a clear path and plan of attack and we go into your case organized and focused in a manner that instantly sets the tone and puts the defendants insurance company on notice that they are dealing with experienced professionals. We are here for you.
First, always call the police if you are a party to a motor vehicle accident. While uncooperative drivers may refuse to provide you with their insurance information, police officers will collect this information as party of their accident report. This information is imperative to avoid unnecessary obstacles when following a No-Fault claim.
Second, file a No- Fault Application (form NF-2) within thirty days from the date of the accident. The insurance carrier of the car that came into contact with you, or that you came into contact with, or that you were driving or were a passenger of will usually provide the necessary form needed to be filed. Third, do not skip any medical or legal appointments scheduled while you have a pending No-Fault claim. Failure to make these appointments may result in the insurance carrier denying part or all of your pending claim.
In the case of medical providers, it is important to provide these parties with your no-fault claim number that you receive upon filing. If this information is not known to you at the time of your appointment, it is important to contact these providers as soon as a number is assigned to you in order to ensure coverage for these expenses.
What to do at the scene: Call the police right away and report the accident. Be sure to exchange insurance information with the other driver(s) and take photographs and/or video of the damage to each vehicle. Take notes if possible. Collect witness contact information and ask what they saw.
Seek medical attention right away: Many people don't realize how injured they are after a car accident. Often times, injuries are not discovered until days or weeks later. Do not wait to see your doctor. Naturally, it is smart to be sure you are properly treated as soon as possible, and if you are interested in a personal injury case, you will need medical records that evidence the dates and causes of your injuries. We recommend that you visit a doctor right after your case accident and report any symptoms or injuries, no matter how minor, such as headaches, back pain, neck pain, dizziness, or muscle pain.
Don't leave the scene of the accident before the police arrive unless you need emergency medical treatment. If you have not been seriously and gravely injured or otherwise incapacitated, leaving the scene of an accident can expose you to civil liabilities and/o criminal charges, especially if the accident resulted in bodily injury or death.
Don't admit fault. You can report the facts of the accident and how it happened, but do not offer any opinions or conclusions as to who caused the car accident. Whether one party or another is at fault is a question for a jury to be determined at trial.
Do not sign documents: Do not sign any documents without consulting an attorney first. Definitely do not sign anything from the other driver's or your own insurance company.
Do not speak with or give statements to any insurance adjusters. Your insurance company may not be interested in your injuries and may not offer a fair and reasonable settlement for your case. We will deal with the insurance adjusters. That is your attorney's job.
Don't share on social media. If you have been injured in an accident your social media posts such as Facebook or Instagram may be misconstrued as evidence that you are not injured. In some instances, it could cost you your case. It is best to avoid social media until after your case is settled. Also, ask your friends not to post about you also.