Personal InjuryResources

Get to safety if you can and call 911 in an emergency. Get medical care as needed. When it is safe, write down where and when the incident happened and keep any report number you receive.

If symptoms appear or get worse, contact a healthcare professional. Tell them when the crash happened and when you first noticed each symptom.

If it is safe, photograph the scene from several angles, any visible hazards or damage, and signs that show the location. Keep the original files so their timestamps are preserved.

Yes. Make a dated note while your memory is fresh. Include what you personally saw or heard, where people were standing, and what happened immediately afterward.

Save schedules, pay stubs, work restrictions, and messages about missed shifts. A simple list of dates and hours can help a lawyer compare your usual earnings with what you received.

Note where the cameras were and the approximate time of the incident. Tell your lawyer early so they can assess whether to request that the footage be preserved.

Start with the police agency that responded and have the crash date, location, and report number handy. A police report and a driver's own filing can be separate. See the New York DMV crash guide or the New Jersey crash report portal.

Write down who was driving, which vehicle you were in, and where you were sitting. Save any trip receipt or booking confirmation. Those details help identify the vehicles and insurance policies involved.

Report the crash to police and tell your insurer promptly. Save any plate details, witness contacts, and dashcam footage you have. Ask your insurer which coverage and reporting requirements apply.

Keep the trip receipt, driver and vehicle information, and any in-app messages about the crash. The timing of the trip and the driver's app status can matter when identifying applicable insurance.

Save the route number, direction of travel, stop or intersection, time, and ticket or fare record. Tell a lawyer whether the bus was publicly or privately operated because that can affect notice requirements.

Take photos and keep the damaged bike, helmet, or other gear if you can store it safely. Save repair estimates and receipts. Ask before disposing of items that may help document what happened.

Write down the store address, the aisle or exact location, and what you saw on the floor. If staff make a report, ask for a copy or the report number. Keep your receipt if it helps establish when you were there.

Photograph the spot and nearby address markers when safe. Note whether it was next to a home, a business, or public property. The location and who maintained it can matter.

Yes. An incident report, timely photos, medical records, and statements from people who saw what happened afterward may still help establish the timeline.

Tell your employer promptly and keep a copy of your report. Tell your treating provider that the injury happened at work. In New York, the Workers’ Compensation Board explains how to file a claim.

Record the site address, employer, crew, task, equipment, and names of witnesses. Save your own records and photos taken safely. A lawyer can explain how workers’ compensation and any potential claim against another party fit together.

For immediate danger, call 911. Keep a dated record of what you observed, when you reported it, and how the facility responded. A lawyer can help identify which records and reporting channels are relevant.

Ask who they represent, what claim they are calling about, and what information they need. Keep a note of the conversation. If they request a recorded statement, ask your lawyer what your policy or claim requires before agreeing.

Read what claims the release covers and ask how it would affect any unresolved bills or future treatment. A lawyer can explain the effect of the specific wording before you sign.

The answer depends on the state, type of claim, and who is involved. A deadline to notify an agency can come before the deadline to sue. The New York Courts timetable illustrates why the details matter.

Tell the lawyer the incident date and identify the agency or property as precisely as you can. Claims involving public entities may have separate notice requirements and shorter deadlines.

A lawyer looks at evidence of fault, the documented injury, treatment, missed work, future needs, and available coverage. An amount from another case gives little context without those facts.

A case may resolve by agreement, proceed to litigation, or reach trial. Ask which steps are likely in your situation, who would handle them, and what each option would require from you.

Bring what you already have, such as a crash or incident report, photos, provider names, insurance letters, and a short timeline. You can start the conversation before you have every record.

Ask how the fee is calculated, what expenses could be deducted, and how costs are handled if there is no recovery. Ask for the terms in writing. See the American Bar Association’s consultation guide.

Ask who your day-to-day contact will be, how to reach them, and when you can expect updates. Find out who will review decisions and explain any settlement offers.

Describe your accident and ask about experience with that type of injury, where it happened, and the parties involved. Ask how the lawyer would investigate the issues in your case.

If your injury makes travel difficult, ask Gitelman Legal Group about a home visit. The firm also offers flexible office hours and consultations in English, Russian, and Spanish.

Yes. The initial case review is free. You can call (718) 719-9994 or request a case review online.