- If you’ve been T-boned, immediately call 911 and, if possible, document the accident scene.
- Get medical care, notify your insurer, and consult an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after a T-bone accident.
- Your auto accident lawsuit must be filed before New York’s statute of limitations, which is three years from the accident date in most cases. Other deadlines may apply.
T-bone collisions occur when one vehicle crashes into the side of another, forming a “T” shape. These accidents often happen in New York City intersections due to distracted driving, speeding, and failure to yield the right of way. In fact, failure to yield was a leading cause of accidents in one recent year.
Injuries from T-bone accidents can be severe and result in significant medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering. You may have the right to compensation for these losses after a T-bone accident. Taking the right steps after the collision—including consulting with a New York car accident lawyer at Chopra & Nocerino—can improve your chances of receiving fair compensation.
What To Do Immediately After Getting in a T-Bone Accident
Your actions immediately after getting in a T-bone accident can significantly affect your case’s strength if you later decide to take legal action. Stay calm and take the following steps:
1. Contact Emergency Services
Move to a safe location and call 911. This is important even if you don’t feel injured, as adrenaline can mask the pain of serious injuries. Emergency medical responders can screen you for injuries and provide immediate care if needed. Be sure to follow their instructions for follow-up care.
2. Gather Evidence at the Scene
Document the scene while it’s fresh. Collect the other driver’s contact and insurance information. If anyone else witnessed the accident, also get their contact information. Take photos and videos of the scene, including vehicle damage, visible injuries, and contributing factors, such as road conditions and traffic signals.
3. File an Accident Report
Make sure to summon a police officer to the accident scene. The responding officer will create a police report that serves as an official record of the crash, including the direction each vehicle was driving. Insurance companies will reference the report when determining fault for the accident, making it a key piece of evidence for your claim. Avoid admitting or speculating about fault until a full investigation has been conducted and you have secured legal representation.
What To Do in the Days After a T-Bone Accident
What you do in the days following a T-bone accident is also extremely important. Focus on the following steps once the scene is clear:
1. Seek Medical Attention
Visit a doctor as soon as possible, even if the emergency medical personnel cleared you at the scene. Injuries from a T-bone accident can take several days or weeks to develop symptoms, so it’s best to get checked out regardless of how you feel. A doctor can diagnose and document your injuries, which creates a medical record that can support your claim for compensation. Waiting too long to get medical attention makes it harder to prove a link between the accident and your injuries, so don’t delay.
2. Notify Your Insurance Provider
Let your insurance company know about the T-bone accident as soon as possible. Provide basic details about the accident’s time and location, and mention any injuries and property damage. Also, provide the other driver’s information, including insurance details and license plate number.
Avoid discussing accident details in depth until a full, independent investigation is complete, as you could end up admitting fault without meaning to. While New York is a no-fault state, you may end up needing to file a fault-based auto liability claim against the other driver’s insurance company.
3. Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
Reach out to our T-bone collision lawyers for a free consultation. We can help you determine if you’re eligible for compensation and explain your full legal options. If you decide to move forward with a claim, your attorney can determine fault, gather evidence, calculate your damages, and negotiate with insurers on your behalf. They’ll handle the legal details while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
Keep in Mind the Statute of Limitations in New York Car Accident Cases
The more quickly you consult a lawyer after a T-bone accident, the better your odds of meeting the state’s statute of limitations. In New York, the deadline for filing a personal injury claim is normally three years from the date of the accident.
Though there are some exceptions to this rule, if you miss the correct filing deadline, you’ll lose your right to compensation for your injuries. Therefore, it’s best not to assume that you qualify for a deadline extension. Instead, contact our car accident attorneys as soon as possible to find out which deadline applies to your case.
Contact the Car Accident Lawyers at Chopra & Nocerino
You need a true advocate after a T-bone accident, and that’s exactly what you’ll get when you work with Chopra & Nocerino. Our lawyers are real New Yorkers and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for car accident injury victims.
Allow us to put that experience to work in your favor. We’re ready to advocate for you and aggressively pursue the compensation you need to rebuild your life. Contact us online or call (855) NYC-HURT for a free case evaluation. Para servir mejor a todos los miembros de nuestra comunidad, ofrecemos servicios en español.
