How to Obtain a Car Accident Police Report in New York?

After a car accident in New York State or New York City, you may have severe injuries that a careless driver caused. Before you file an insurance claim to recover your financial losses from this traumatizing event, you will need a car accident report to submit to insurers.

An official New York State Police accident report will be one of many essential pieces of evidence required in the aftermath. It provides a number of crucial details that the insurance provider will need to determine your settlement.

Since recovering compensation after a car accident in New York can be confusing, injured victims should consult with an attorney with experience in vehicle and traffic law. Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP is a personal injury law firm committed to representing injured victims after a car crash, working as an advocate who provides support throughout the legal process. In this blog post, we discuss why accident reports are essential and the steps needed to obtain a police accident report.

The Importance of Obtaining a Car Accident Report

Getting a New York State Police accident report is essential following a car accident because it contains vital facts and information about how the crash occurred. The information listed on the crash report typically includes the date, time, and location of the car accident. It will also feature the names, addresses, and contact information of all drivers involved.

Your police report will additionally list the driver’s license number and license plate number for each driver and state they were issued with expiration dates, vehicle registration numbers, and insurance company names with policy numbers and expiration dates. You may need to use this information provided in your New York State Police report for several vital reasons.

Filing an Injury Claim

If you did not cause the accident and you have injuries, you will need the accident report to help you file your insurance claim. The insurer for the other driver will need the police report to verify the details provided and determine the fault to process the claim.

Pursuing a Lawsuit

Another reason why the New York State Police report is essential is if you decide to take legal action. While it won’t be the only piece of evidence in your case, an accident report will list all of the crucial details discussed above, along with documentation of the accident scene and property damage, witness statements, contributing factors, and observations from the responding police officer.

You may only need to file a lawsuit if the insurer is offering too low a settlement to cover your injuries and other financial losses or they deny your claim and try to blame you as the reason the accident occurred. For these reasons, it is in your best interest to speak with a personal injury attorney about your unique situation.

Keeping Records

You might also decide not to file a claim or a lawsuit, but the police report will be something you’ll want to keep on file. While it is always best to get medical attention promptly following an accident, you may not realize you’re injured right away. Keeping good records will ensure you have this piece of evidence if and when you need it.

How to Get a Police Report for a Car Accident

In New York, you are required to file an accident report with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) by filling out a motor vehicle accident report form when the damage exceeds $1,000. A convenient way to get an accident report from the New York Department of Motor Vehicles for accidents in New York City is by going online, which gives you access to your car accident report from State Troopers as well. You will need to pay a nominal fee for these crash reports.

You can also request a copy of the collision record form by mail. This information is also on the New York DMV website. You must send a photocopy of your ID along with a self-addressed stamped envelope to the DMV address listed on the form.

In addition to getting your report online or by mail, you can also choose to get a copy of your report in person from your local DMV. You’ll need to bring your valid ID with you and provide details about your accident. Within 30 days of the accident, you can also seek a copy of the report through police departments, though you’ll need to visit the local precinct that responded to your accident. If it has been more than 30 days or you had your report with State Troopers, you’ll have to get the form required from the DMV.

Many different methods allow you to request a copy of your motor vehicle accident report. However, these reports are not issued over the phone. You must order the report by mail, online, or in person.

Special Circumstances for the New York State Thruway

Car accidents that occur on the New York State Thruway have a slightly different process for getting a copy of the report than when they appear on other roads. More specifically, the areas in question are I-87 south of Albany, I-90 west of Albany, and the Berkshire Spur East of Albany, as well as the roads that feed into the Thruway, including I-190 and Westchester County portions of both I-287 and I-95. For accidents in these locations, you’ll need to go through the New York State Thruway Authority to obtain accident reports.

There is a different form to use for vehicles involved in accidents in these areas. Once you download it, you can issue your completed form in several ways. All methods for requesting a report for your accident on the Thruway will require you to pay a nominal fee. You can order it by mail and send the completed form along with your payment to the address listed at the top of the form. Faxing is also permissible, though a better way is to request a copy of your police crash report through email. There is no way to get the report online for accidents on the Thruway.

Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson Will Assist You with Obtaining Your Crash Report

It is entirely understandable that your life has been suddenly turned upside down by the negligent driver who caused your accident. You may be left with painful injuries, mental impacts, and devastating financial burdens as a result of your collision. Whether your accident occurred in New York City, on the Thruway, or in another area of the state, the added stress of trying to complete and obtain this report can be additionally taxing.

If you have been hurt in a crash and you are not the person at fault, contact the attorneys at Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson. We can help you complete this form without a fee. Let us help you get this report, and you’ll get our attention with a free case review to help determine if you have a valid case while learning your legal options for moving forward.

For quick reference, these links can help:

• Where most people go to obtain the police report – https://dmv.ny.gov/records/order-and-access-motor-vehicle-crash-accident-reports
• Another option where it can be purchased – https://buycrash.lexisnexisrisk.com/ui/home
• NYPD reports – https://collisionreport.nypdonline.org/
• Accidents on the Thruway – https://troopers.ny.gov/get-copy-accident-report
• DMV – https://dmv.ny.gov/dmv-records/records-request-navigator

However, to save yourself time, expense, and frustration, simply answer a few questions in this link and we will obtain your police report for you at no cost to you if you were injured in a New York car accident due to someone else’s negligence.

FAQs About Police Reports and Car Accidents

Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson are always available to discuss your concerns about your legal matter. These questions are among the most commonly asked regarding police reports and car accidents. You can additionally contact us online if you have further questions regarding your legal circumstances.

How Much Can I Expect to Pay for the Fee for My Report?

Obtaining a police report for your crash is free within the first 30 days following your accident when you get it from the responding state police. Beyond that date, the search fee will cost $7 plus $15 per report. For the Thruway, it will cost $15 for the non-refundable search fee.

What Payment Methods Are Accepted for the Report?

If you seek out your report through the DMV when it has been more than 30 days after your accident, you have several methods for making a payment. When you get the report by mail or online, you can use a major credit card, debit card (with Visa or Mastercard logo), or a money order.

Checks are not accepted when paying by mail or online, though they may be accepted in person. If you plan on paying in person, it is best to contact your local DMV branch first to confirm whether or not they will accept payment by check.

What Will Be Included in My Accident Report?

Once you receive your police report, you will see pertinent information that can be useful in your case:

• Officer information: The names and badge numbers of all officers who responded to the accident will be present.
• Information about the vehicles: Descriptions of the vehicles, such as the color, make, and model, will also be included. Additionally, details about insurance carriers and license plates will be provided.
• Written account: The officer or officers will also provide as many details as possible about what is known and factual about the accident. This may include the events that led up to the accident, how the accident unfolded, and what the officer believes to have caused it.
• Accident diagram: This detail isn’t always present, though many officers will create a rough sketch that shows where the vehicles were and illustrates any other relevant information from the accident scene.
• Known injuries: If you, your passengers, or even the other driver suffered injuries, these may be noted on the report. However, these details may only sometimes be present, and if they are, they may not be thorough.
• Citations: Any traffic violations that were cited on the scene, such as reckless driving or drunk driving, will be provided.

How Long Will It Take to Get My Crash Report?

Most of the time, it will take up to 30 days to get your accident report. It will depend on how quickly your report can be processed. Generally, getting your report online rather than by mail or showing up at the precinct will be speedier.

Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer to Get My Police Report?

You are not legally required to use a car accident attorney to get your police report or to represent you after your accident. However, working with a lawyer is in your best interests for numerous reasons, especially if your injuries are serious.

After an auto accident that has caused you physical injuries, you may be in the hospital or require surgery. You’ll have much more on your mind than trying to find, download, and submit forms. Working with a car accident attorney provides you with an advocate who will take care of this paperwork and work on your behalf.

As an advocate, they also investigate your accident and track down crucial evidence that you may have been unable to get as a result of your wounds. This includes the accident report as well as traffic camera or surveillance footage, cell phone records, witness statements, and testimony from expert witnesses. With all of these pieces assembled, they can use this as the basis for negotiations with the insurers to command a settlement that comprehensively covers the losses you endured. In the event negotiations do not result in a fair offer, your attorney will be fully ready to take your case to court and stand by your side throughout the entire process.

How Do I Know If I Have a Valid Car Accident Case?

If you have been injured in an auto accident, you may question whether or not you have the right to pursue compensation from the other driver. The good news is that most personal injury attorneys offer a free initial consultation that allows you to review the factors of your case.

At Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, we invite you to schedule a free consultation with our attorneys to learn more about how we can help you and to determine the following steps to take after this traumatic event.