Maybe not, but the first 48 hours matter a lot more in New York than most people assume. A lot of people think, "If the crash wasn't my fault, the facts will speak for themselves." In New York, that is not how it works.

What most people assume: you report the crash, the insurer investigates, and your medical bills and lost time get handled.

What often happens instead in Queens: the insurance company looks for early mistakes to cut the value of your claim. A photo of you smiling at home, a post about your car, or a casual recorded statement can be used to argue you were not badly hurt. On a crowded route like the LIE/I-495 or near the Midtown Tunnel, even a deer-related chain-reaction crash can turn into finger-pointing fast.

Another surprise in New York is no-fault. After a car crash, your own insurer usually pays basic medical bills and some lost wages, even if the other driver caused it. But you generally must file a No-Fault Application within 30 days. People miss that because they are waiting for the other driver's insurance to "take care of it."

The practical difference is huge:

• Do not give the other insurer a recorded statement right away.
• Do not post about the crash, your injuries, work, gym, travel, or "feeling better."
• Do get medical care quickly, and make sure the records match what hurts.
• Do report the crash to police and get the MV-104 filed with the New York DMV if required.
• Do keep photos, names of witnesses, and every bill or work-missed note.

If a city bus, MTA vehicle, or unsafe road condition in Queens was involved, many people wrongly think they have years. Claims against a public entity can require a Notice of Claim in 90 days. That deadline is a trap.