The Grand Central Expressway, cutting through Corona, sees heavy traffic at all hours, making it one of the most dangerous stretches of highway in Queens.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash on the Grand Central Expressway, knowing what steps to take can protect your health and your legal rights. The personal injury lawyers at Poltielov Law Firm understand the unique challenges of highway accidents and can guide you through the complex process of securing the compensation you deserve.
Immediate Steps After Your Expressway Accident
The moments immediately following a highway accident are vital for protecting your safety and preserving evidence for potential legal claims. If you can move safely, try to get your vehicle out of traffic lanes to prevent additional accidents. Turn on hazard lights to alert other drivers to your location.
Call 911 immediately to report the accident and request medical assistance if anyone appears injured. Police reports from highway accidents often contain valuable information about how the crash occurred and who might be at fault.
Even if you feel fine initially, consider seeking medical evaluation. The adrenaline rush following an accident can mask pain and injury symptoms that become apparent hours or days later. Some injuries, particularly head trauma and internal damage, might not show immediate signs.
If it’s safe to do so, take photographs of vehicle damage, road conditions, and the accident scene. These images can provide crucial evidence about how the accident happened and the extent of damage involved.
Exchange insurance and contact information with other drivers involved in the accident. However, avoid discussing fault or admitting responsibility for the crash. Stick to basic facts about what happened without speculating about causes.
Medical Considerations After Highway Crashes
Accidents on the Grand Central Expressway often result in serious injuries because of the high speeds involved. Even minor collisions at highway speeds can cause significant trauma to vehicle occupants.
Head injuries range from minor concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries that can affect cognitive function permanently. Any blow to the head during an accident warrants medical evaluation, even if you don’t lose consciousness.
Broken bones frequently occur in highway accidents, especially to the arms, legs, and ribs. The force of impact in high-speed crashes can cause complex fractures that require surgical repair and extensive rehabilitation.
Internal injuries to organs like the liver, spleen, or kidneys can be life-threatening but might not cause obvious external symptoms. Emergency room doctors can perform tests to identify these hidden injuries before they become critical.
Dealing with Insurance Companies After Your Crash
Insurance companies typically respond quickly to highway accident reports, often contacting victims within hours of crashes. While prompt contact might seem helpful, remember that insurance adjusters work for their companies, not for accident victims.
Early settlement offers are often far less than claims are actually worth. Insurance companies hope to resolve cases quickly before victims understand the full extent of their injuries and damages. Don’t accept any settlement offers without consulting with a personal injury attorney first.
Insurance adjusters might try to obtain recorded statements about how the accident happened. These statements can be used against you later if they contradict other evidence or if you forget important details. Having legal representation helps protect you from these tactics.
Multiple insurance policies might apply to highway accidents, especially when commercial vehicles are involved. Your personal injury lawyer can identify all available coverage sources to maximize your potential compensation.
Understanding Fault in Multi-Vehicle Highway Accidents
Determining who caused an accident on the Grand Central Expressway can be complicated when multiple vehicles are involved. Chain-reaction collisions are common on busy highways, making it difficult to identify the initial cause of the crash.
Traffic laws establish basic rules about following distances, speed limits, and safe driving practices. Violations of these laws can create liability for drivers who cause accidents. However, weather conditions, road defects, or mechanical failures might also contribute to crashes.
Police reports often contain officers’ opinions about accident causation, but these reports aren’t always accurate or complete. Independent investigation by qualified accident reconstruction experts might be necessary to determine what really happened.
Some accidents result from the actions of drivers who leave the scene before police arrive. Hit-and-run crashes create additional challenges for identifying responsible parties and securing compensation.
Calculating Damages in Highway Accident Cases
The high speeds involved in Grand Central Expressway accidents often result in severe injuries and substantial damages. Medical expenses can be enormous when victims require emergency surgery, extended hospital stays, or long-term rehabilitation.
Lost wages become significant when injuries prevent people from working for weeks or months. Some highway accident victims suffer permanent disabilities that affect their ability to earn income for the rest of their lives.
Vehicle damage in highway accidents is often extensive, sometimes resulting in total losses. The cost of replacing vehicles and personal property must be included in compensation calculations.
Pain and suffering awards recognize the physical discomfort and emotional trauma caused by serious accidents. Permanent injuries or disfigurement typically warrant substantial compensation for these non-economic damages.
Future medical costs must also be considered when injuries require ongoing treatment or monitoring. Some accident victims need medical care for years or even the rest of their lives.
Why Highway Accidents Require Specialized Legal Help
The complexity of highway accident cases makes professional legal representation essential for protecting your rights. Multiple vehicles, severe injuries, and various insurance policies create legal challenges that are difficult to navigate without experience.
Personal injury attorneys understand how to investigate highway accidents thoroughly and preserve important evidence before it disappears. This includes obtaining traffic camera footage, securing police reports, and interviewing witnesses while their memories are fresh.
Insurance companies have teams of lawyers and adjusters working to minimize payouts on highway accident claims. Having your own legal representation levels the playing field and ensures your interests are protected.
Your car accident attorney will handle all communication with insurance companies, preventing you from making statements that can hurt your case later. This protection is especially important when you’re dealing with injuries and trying to recover.
Moving Forward After Your Highway Accident
Highway accidents can impact victims and their families, affecting everything from physical health to financial stability. Getting proper legal representation helps ensure that responsible parties are held accountable and that you receive fair compensation for your damages. Contact us at Poltielov Law Firm Injury Lawyers today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about your legal options after a highway accident in Corona.