What To Do When:

Senior woman praying for sick man sleeping in hospital bed

Schneider Law Offices, PLLC serves accident victims in New Paltz, Poughkeepsie, and the surrounding Hudson Valley area with expert representation. Our personal injury focus can help you make the right decisions as we move forward towards getting you the just compensation you deserve for your injury.

This page can help you understand what you should do if you have been the victim of an auto accident or a slip, trip and fall accident. We represent clients in a variety of personal injury cases, in addition to these two areas. Please call us at 845-419-2354 for a complimentary consultation.

Notify the police and wait for their arrival.  Do not let another motorist persuade you that the police should not be called.

Notify your insurance company that you were in an accident and request that they send you the necessary No-Fault benefit forms for you to fill out and return to them.  Your No-Fault insurance company will pay medical bills and lost wages.  This must be done within 30 days from the date of the accident pursuant to New York State Insurance Law or you could lose your right to No-Fault benefits.

Send a letter to your insurance company notifying them of an underinsurance and/or uninsurance claim via certified mail.  This protects your right to pursue a personal injury claim against your own insurance company in the event the other vehicle in the accident has no insurance or limited insurance.

Notify the other driver’s insurance company of this accident.  Do not assume the other driver or other vehicle owner will notify their insurance company.

If you are able, consider taking photos of the accident scene, damage to the vehicles involved and your injuries.  Consider securing the names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses or good Samaritans who come to your assistance.  Do not assume any responding police officers or emergency response personnel will get their information.

Notify the property owner, property manager or anyone else you believe may be responsible for the location.  Request that an accident or incident report be prepared and ask for a copy.  Do not be alarmed if you are told you are not entitled to a copy.  In cases of serious injuries, consider notifying the police and/or contacting emergency response personnel.

If you are able, consider taking photos of the accident scene especially if you were caused to fall by a transient condition (e.g. snow, ice, water or other substance).

Consider preserving the footwear you had on at the time the accident.

Consider securing the names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses or good Samaritans who come to your assistance.  Do not assume any responding police officers or emergency response personnel will get their information.

Do not assume your medical bills will be paid for by the property owner or its insurance company.  Prepare to pay for medical expenses as you normally would.  Keep copies of any receipts, bills, etc. documenting your out of pocket medical expenses.

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New Paltz, NY 12561

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Fresh Meadows, NY 11365

Chrysler Building
405 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10174

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White Plains, NY 10606

42 Catharine Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601