The Responsibility of the Driver in Single-Vehicle Accidents
Responsibility is a major issue in every roadway or location-based accident. In the event that people are involved in moderate-to-near-fatal accidents along major roadways in our state, many questions will arise as to who may have been responsible for this crash and, ultimately, for inflicting injuries on one or more people. Excluding cases of drunk or drugged driving, you will probably be frightened and confused if you are thrown into an accident, not knowing if you or the other person was at fault.
For today, let’s take a closer look at the responsibility of drivers in single-vehicle accidents.
Filing Accident Reports in New York
In the event that people are involved in accidents that inflict at least $1,000-worth of property damage and bodily injuries, these men and women are required to file accident reports, as dictated by New York State Law. Furthermore, these people must file the reports no later than 10 days following the accident. Most importantly, though, the driver who files the report must follow specific steps:
- If the accident only inflicted damage on a property, you must share information from your driver’s license, vehicle insurance, and registration with any other drivers who were directly involved in the crash.
- If the accident inflicted property damage and injuries on an animal, you must seek out the owner and contact him/her immediately.
- In the event that a person died in the crash, New York State Vehicle and Traffic Laws require you to notify law enforcement officers immediately.
If you fail to fill out a report in the span of 10 days following the crash or fail to report the accident whatsoever, officials at the NY Department of Motor Vehicles will suspend your license.
Preventable Events That Trigger Accidents
Being the driver in a single-vehicle accident can be a little humiliating. After all, in the event that the motorists are drunk and/or high, they will face little to no compensation for their reckless habits. On the flip side, vehicle malfunctions and dangerous driving conditions can also trigger freak accidents, forcing you to slide off the road and end up in a ditch or a ravine.
If another driver forced you off the road because he/she was distracted or acting recklessly, then obtaining license plate numbers and a description of the car is your best chance of winning a hit-and-run case involving a single-vehicle crash.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Syracuse, New York
In the blink of an eye, a simple drive down the road or major highway can turn into a fight for your life or the life of your loved one. Without warning, you and those you care about can become victims of deadly motor vehicle accidents and suffer from excruciating injuries like bone fractures, which can take a long time to heal and mend. As a result, you will have to reap the consequences, which can include hefty medical bills and an overloading cost of vehicle damages. Simply put, no one should have to suffer through these problems, particularly if the accident was triggered by negligence or malicious intentions.
Although this might be difficult, though, you must remain calm. With the assistance of a lawyer who is experienced with personal injury cases, you can gather viable resources to create a strong case in court.
We, at Gattuso & Ciotoli, have more than 50 years of combined legal experience and deliver the some of the most high-quality legal services to victims of a wide variety of accidents in the vicinity of Syracuse, New York. We value your perspective on your case and your goals for the future and ready to help you receive the justice you deserve. For more information on our four practice areas or your legal matter, contact us at (315) 314-8000 today.