What to Do After a Car or Truck Accident in New York

A sudden crash can upend everything—your health, your work, your plans. In the hours and days that follow, small decisions can make a big difference. This guide walks you through the essentials after a car accident or commercial truck accident in New York and explains how Litman Law Firm can step in so you don’t have to carry the burden alone.

 

First things first: safety, care, and a record of what happened

 

Move to a safe spot and call 911. If anyone is hurt—or if you’re not sure—get medical care immediately. Many injuries, including concussions, soft-tissue strains, and spinal issues, appear hours or days later. Tell the responding officer exactly what you felt and where; that becomes part of the official report.

 

If you can, take photos or short videos: vehicle positions, damage, skid marks, traffic signals, weather, and your visible injuries. Exchange information with the other driver. For truck accidents, note the trucking company’s name, the trailer number, and any USDOT information on the rig. Collect witness names and numbers. Then resist the urge to give recorded statements to any insurer until you’ve talked with a lawyer.

 

How New York’s no-fault rules fit into your recovery

 

New York uses a no-fault system for the first layer of medical bills and some lost wages. That’s your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, and you must file promptly—ideally within 30 days. Keep every receipt and medical record. No-fault can feel confusing when health insurance and treatment bills start arriving. A New York personal injury lawyer at Litman Law Firm NYC can help you coordinate benefits and keep your claim on track.

 

When you can bring a claim against the at-fault party

 

If your injuries meet New York’s “serious injury” threshold—or your losses go beyond what no-fault covers—you may bring a claim against the negligent driver (and in truck cases, potentially the carrier, shipper, broker, or maintenance company). New York follows comparative negligence: even if you’re partly at fault, you may still recover money; your award is reduced by your percentage of fault.

 

Deadlines matter. Wondering how long do I have to sue after an accident in NY or how the New York personal injury statute of limitations applies to your situation? The answer depends on the type of case and who’s involved (deadlines are shorter for municipal vehicles). The safest move is to get legal advice early.

 

Why truck accident cases are different

 

Truck crashes are not “big car accidents.” They’re governed by federal safety rules, electronic logging, and layered insurance. Fast action preserves crucial evidence:

  • Driver fatigue and hours-of-service violations can be uncovered through logbooks and ELD data.

  • Unsecured cargo or poor maintenance can point to negligence beyond the driver.

  • Jackknife or rollover collisions often require reconstruction and black-box downloads.

If you’re searching for help—a truck accident lawyer NYC, commercial truck accident attorney New York, jackknife truck accident lawyer NY, rollover truck accident attorney NYC, or unsecured cargo truck accident lawyer—this is what we do. Our team moves quickly to send preservation (spoliation) letters and collect ELD/ECM data, dashcam footage, and maintenance files before they’re lost.

 

Evidence that strengthens your case

 

Strong cases are built on consistent medical treatment, clear documentation, and timely investigation. We help you gather:

  • Medical records and a simple, consistent treatment timeline.

  • Photos, dashcam clips, and nearby business or residential video.

  • Vehicle “black box”/EDR data (for cars) and ECM/ELD data (for trucks).

  • Work records that prove lost wages and future earning capacity.

From Litman Law Firm car accident claims to complex trucking matters, we handle the details so you can focus on healing.

 

The cases New Yorkers trust us with

 

We represent people injured in car accidents, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian and bicycle collisions, rideshare incidents (Uber/Lyft), taxi and bus accidents, and MTA events. We also handle construction accidents under New York’s Labor Law, including scaffolding, ladder, crane, falling object, electrical, warehouse, and industrial injuries; premises liability and slip-and-fall cases (icy sidewalks, stores, apartment buildings); dog bites; and catastrophic injuries like spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and wrongful death.

 

If you’ve been comparing firms—reading Litman Law Firm reviews, searching for the best personal injury lawyer NYC or a top rated personal injury attorney New York, or looking up Jeff Litman attorney / Jeffrey Litman lawyer—you want a team that communicates clearly, investigates aggressively, and is ready for court when necessary.

 

Where we work—and who we serve

 

From Manhattan (Downtown, Tribeca, the Financial District, Harlem, the Upper East and Upper West Sides) to Brooklyn (including Williamsburg), Queens (Jamaica, Flushing), the Bronx (Fordham), Staten Island (St. George), and Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk), we represent clients across the city and beyond—Westchester (Yonkers, White Plains) and Upstate New York as well. If you’re searching “accident lawyer near me NYC” or “injury attorney near me New York,” we’re local, accessible, and ready to help. We also offer representation in Spanish—Spanish speaking personal injury lawyer NYC—so your story is heard in the language you’re most comfortable using.

 

Quick answers to common NYC questions

 

What should I do right after a car accident?


Get medical care, call the police, document the scene, and file your no-fault application quickly. Before speaking with insurers, talk with an NYC personal injury attorney about your options.

 

Who pays for icy sidewalk falls in New York?


Often the adjacent property owner or responsible entity, subject to city rules and some exceptions (for example, certain owner-occupied homes). A slip and fall lawyer NYC can investigate ownership, maintenance logs, and prior complaints.

 

How do I start a claim?


We’ll review your situation, identify all potential insurance policies and responsible parties, gather evidence, and handle negotiations—filing a lawsuit if that’s what it takes to secure a fair result.

 

Why choose Litman Law Firm

 

You deserve a law firm that treats your case like it matters—because it does. Litman Law Firm New York offers:

  • Clear communication and hands-on guidance. You’ll always know what’s happening and why.

  • Trial-ready strategy. We prepare every case as if it will be tried, which strengthens settlement leverage.

  • Contingency fee representation. No fee unless we win—the standard for a contingency fee personal injury lawyer NYC.

  • 24/7 availability. If you need an emergency personal injury lawyer New York, we’re here when you need us.

Whether you’re looking for a Manhattan personal injury lawyer, Brooklyn personal injury attorney, Queens personal injury lawyer, Bronx personal injury attorney, Staten Island personal injury lawyer, Long Island personal injury lawyer, Nassau County injury lawyer, Suffolk County injury attorney, Westchester personal injury lawyer, or an Upstate New York personal injury attorney, our team has you covered.

 

Let’s talk

 

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a car, truck, construction, slip and fall, or other accident, reach out today. You can contact Litman Law Firm for a free, confidential consultation—ask about NYC injury lawyer no fee unless we win, get answers to your NYC car accident FAQs and New York construction accident FAQs, and learn your next best step.