What to Do If You Are Involved in a Side Impact Car Accident in Staten Island

Side impact car crashes can occur in any weather and any time of day and may also occur for many different reasons. When involved in a car accident where the impact is on the side of the vehicle it is important, as is with any other type of car accident, to collect the proper information.

Side impact car accidents, also known sometimes as a T-Bone accident, can sometimes be very complicated when determining fault depending on how the situation occured. Some common ways that side impact car accidents occur is when a car runs a stop sign or when a car runs through a red light. Situations such as these can sometimes be difficult to prove fault if no one else is around to be a witness to the accident. Another way that side impact car accidents can occur is if when a car is turning. In a situation where a car is turning the fault really depends on who had the right of way in the accident. A car that pulls out to make a left hand turn without properly checking for oncoming traffic may be found to be at fault whereas a person making a turn who is hit by someone behind them may be found to not be at fault for the accident leaving the person behind them at fault. Determining fault in an accident really depends on the specific situation which will help determine if you are at fault, if the other driver is at fault, or if there is shared fault in the accident.

No matter how the side impact accident happened you will want to do a few very simple and important things immediately following the car accident:

• Call the police;
• Look around for witnesses. If there are witnesses that saw the accident occur it see if they are willing to give you their name, phone number, and address so that you can give their information to your insurance company;
• Take pictures of the damages to the car, the position of the cars on the road, and any injuries that you have sustained from the accident (if they are visible);
• Take notes on the accident. You will remember a lot more about the accident right after it occured as oppossed to what you will probably remember when you call your insurance company;
• Seek medical help. Go to the hospital or see your doctor immediately if you suspect any injuries.

For additional information regarding side impact car accidents you should consider contacting a lawyer especially if you were injured in the accident.

If you were in a car accident in Staten Island, New York and would like to know more about determining who was at fault and what your next step towards obtaining the compensation you are entitled to contact Frank J. Dito Jr. Staten Island car accident injury lawyer at 718-979-4300 for a free consultation.