Brooklyn is a hard place to drive: the BQE's curves, the Belt Parkway's short merges, and Atlantic Avenue, one of the borough's most dangerous corridors. When a crash happens here, fault gets argued hard.
What you do in the next seven days can change what your case is worth. Here is the week, laid out plainly.
Day 1: your health and your proof
See a doctor today, not next week
Even if you walked away. Adrenaline hides pain, and neck, back, and head injuries often show up late. Getting checked today protects your health and creates the record that ties your injuries to the crash. A gap between the crash and your first treatment is one of the first things insurers use to shrink a claim.
Lock in the evidence
Photos of the cars, the street, the signs, your injuries. Names and numbers for every driver and witness. If police came, note the report number. If you missed some of this at the scene, write down everything you remember now. Our after-a-crash guide has the full checklist.
Days 2 and 3: report the crash, then be careful what you say
Tell your own insurance company
Report the crash to your own insurer right away and ask for the no-fault application. In New York it is generally due within 30 days of the crash, and it's the form that gets your medical bills and part of your lost pay covered. Here's how the 30-day deadline works.
Be careful with the other driver's insurer
The other driver's insurer may call within days, friendly and fast. You generally do not have to give them a recorded statement. Stay off social media about the crash too. Adjusters read it.
Days 4 and 5: keep every appointment
Follow your doctor's plan and keep every appointment. In New York, the biggest part of a serious case often turns on proof that your injury is real and documented. Two people can have the same pain. The one with treatment records from day one has a case.
Days 6 and 7: learn what your case may be worth
By the end of the week, the insurance company already has a number in mind for your claim, and it's low. Before you answer any offer, learn what your case may actually be worth and get advice from someone on your side. The review is free, and if your case needs a lawyer, we'll connect you with an independent New York car accident attorney who charges no fee unless they win for you.
The deadlines under all of this
The no-fault application is generally due within 30 days. Crashes involving city vehicles or buses generally require a Notice of Claim within 90 days. Most New York injury lawsuits generally must be filed within 3 years. Your deadline may be different. That is exactly why you should get advice now, not later.
Questions Brooklyn drivers ask us
Do I really need a doctor if I feel fine after a Brooklyn crash?
Yes. Some injuries take days to show up, and a late first visit gives the insurer room to argue your injury came from somewhere else. Get checked, then let the doctors decide.
What if my crash was a chain reaction on the BQE?
Chain reactions are common on the BQE's curves, and several drivers and insurers may share the blame. Your own no-fault coverage generally pays your first medical bills no matter who caused it. Sorting out the rest is what the free review is for.
What should I say when the other driver's insurer calls?
Be brief and polite. Confirm your name and that the crash happened, and say your claim details will come later. Then stop talking. Here's the full guide to handling the adjuster.
Hurt in a Brooklyn crash this week? Get your free case review or call (347) 526-1246. A real person answers, 24/7.
