Suffering an injury can be overwhelming, especially in a busy place like Brooklyn. Whether it’s a car accident, slip and fall, or workplace injury, knowing what steps to take can help protect your legal rights and maximize your compensation.

Table of Contents

• Seek Medical Attention Immediately
• Report the Accident
• Collect Evidence from the Scene
• Available Damages After an Injury
• How New York’s Comparative Fault Rule Affects Your Claim
• Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer for Help
• Conclusion

Seek Medical Attention Immediately

It is important to make your health your top priority. Certain injuries do not provide indicators even when you feel okay. You should make sure you treat your injury quickly. If you seek treatment, then the medical provider will be able to let you know if you need treatment and, more importantly, generate medical records to support your claim. Trust me, insurance companies will dismiss and not take your injury seriously if you do not get treatment. You should seek treatment right away for your health, as well as protect your claim.

Report the Accident

Reporting your accident is essential for documenting what happened. Depending on where the injury occurred, you should:

• Car accidents
• Slip and fall injuries
• Workplace injuries
• Animal bites

An official report strengthens your case and helps prove liability.

Collect Evidence from the Scene

If you can, collect evidence to support your claim:

Take photographs of the accident scene or video footage.

Interview witnesses and collect their contact information.

Collect your medical provider’s contact information and any documentation on your lost wages.

The more evidence you have, the stronger your claim will be when you seek compensatory damages.

Available Damages After an Injury

If you were injured because of someone else’s negligence, you can seek financial compensation. The two types of damages you can seek:

Economic Damages – Medical bills, lost wages, and any other financial losses.

Non-Economic Damages – Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life. More extreme cases may result in Punitive Damages being awarded if the defendant was reckless.

How New York’s Comparative Fault Rule Affects Your Claim

New York follows a purely comparative fault law, which allows a person to recover compensation for an accident, even if they were partially at fault. However, if you are found to be at fault, that percentage will be deducted from your recovery. For example, if you were 20% at fault, your recovery would be reduced by 20%. An experienced personal injury lawyer will make sure you are not unfairly blamed and will guarantee that you receive the compensation you deserve.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer for Help

Going through the legal process after an accident can be complicated. A Personal Injury Lawyer can help you by:

• Handling insurance company negotiations.
• Gathering the evidence to support your case.
• Fighting to get the maximum compensation.

Conclusion

After an injury in Brooklyn, protecting your health and legal rights begins with the right actions. Going to the doctor, documenting the accident, and contacting an attorney can make a tremendous difference in your injury claim. If you were hurt, connect with a trustworthy personal injury lawyer in Brooklyn today for a free consultation.