You’re in shock. You’re injured. And suddenly, everyone’s asking questions — paramedics, insurance reps, maybe even police.
What you do next could make or break your personal injury claim.
At Keith D. Silverstein & Associates, P.C., we’ve helped countless injured New Yorkers through the chaos that follows a life-changing accident. This guide walks you through the most important steps in the first 72 hours — and how to protect your rights and future.
✅ Step 1: Prioritize Your Safety and Medical Care
Whether it’s a car crash, construction injury, or slip-and-fall in a building lobby, your health must come first.
- Call 911 immediately.
- Accept medical attention at the scene even if your injuries seem minor.
- If possible, take note of your surroundings, hazards, and involved parties.
👉 Important: Injuries like whiplash, internal bleeding, or concussions may not appear right away. Getting a medical record immediately can protect your health and strengthen your case.
📸 Step 2: Document the Scene (If You Can)
If you’re able to safely move:
- Take photos of vehicles, property damage, injuries, and street signs.
- Record weather conditions or unsafe surfaces.
- Ask for names and contact information of witnesses.
- Never admit fault — let your attorney handle that.
💡 Pro tip: Save photos to cloud storage (Google Drive or iCloud) and back them up.
📝 Step 3: File an Official Police Report
In New York City, the police report becomes a key piece of documentation. Whether it’s the NYPD or MTA police, make sure a report is filed, and request a copy for your records.
🚔 Note: You are legally required to file a report for any vehicle accident involving injury or property damage over $1,000.
🧾 Step 4: Don’t Speak to Insurance Companies Without Legal Help
Insurance adjusters may sound friendly, but their job is to protect the company — not you.
- Do not give a recorded statement without legal representation.
- Don’t accept early offers or sign any documents.
- They may try to settle quickly for less than your case is worth.
📞 Before speaking to insurance, call Keith D. Silverstein & Associates at https://www.kdslawfirm.com/ — our attorneys know how to counter these tactics. Why? Because Keith spent 25 years defending insurance companies. Now, he uses that knowledge to protect you.
📆 Step 5: Understand NYC’s Legal Deadlines
In most NYC personal injury cases, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. But some claims — like those involving government agencies or the MTA — have as little as 90 days to act.
🏛️ Don’t miss your window. Call us as soon as possible to preserve your rights.
👨⚖️ Step 6: Choose the Right Personal Injury Attorney in NYC
Hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer can make a life-altering difference.
Here’s why clients choose Keith D. Silverstein & Associates, P.C.:
- 35+ years of combined experience on both defense and plaintiff sides
- Multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts, including:
- $6 million for a window washer injured on-site
- $5.38 million for a police officer reinjured in the line of duty
- $4.65 million for an undocumented worker hurt at a jobsite
- We treat clients like family, with prompt communication and full transparency
- No upfront fees — we only get paid when we win for you
🗽 Whether you’re in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, Westchester, or Long Island — we’ve got you covered.
🚦 Final Tips: What Not to Do After an NYC Accident
- ❌ Don’t delay medical treatment
- ❌ Don’t post accident details on social media
- ❌ Don’t assume you don’t have a case
- ❌ Don’t deal with insurance companies alone
💬 Need Help After a Serious Accident in NYC?
If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident in New York City, don’t wait. The sooner you act, the better your chances of securing full compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
📞 Call us today or request a free consultation at 👉 https://www.kdslawfirm.com/
We fight for the injured. We fight for justice. We fight for YOU.