A Guide to Getting a Car Accident Police Report in New York
Key Takeaways
- NY law requires a report when a crash causes injury or over $1,000 property damage.
- If police do not respond, drivers must file MV-104 with DMV within 10 days.
- Accident reports are used by insurers and DMV to determine liability.
- NYC reports become available online about 14 days after the crash.
- Precinct keeps reports for 30 days before sending them to the DMV.
Getting an NYC accident report after a crash is one of the most important steps toward protecting your legal rights. This document records the official facts of the collision, identifies all parties involved, and plays a central role in determining fault for any injury or property damage claim. New York state law requires a report to be filed whenever a crash results in injury or more than $1,000 in property damage.
At Law Office Of Cohen & Jaffe – Long Island Personal Injury Lawyers, we help injured drivers navigate this process so no critical detail gets overlooked.
Contact a Long Island Car Accident Lawyer Near You
How to Obtain a Car Accident Police Report in New York
New York state law requires police to file a report when responding to an accident causing over $1,000 in damage or injury to any parties involved. In cases where the police do not respond to such an accident, the drivers involved must file an accident report with the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The official title for this report is the Report of Motor Vehicle Accident (MV-104). The purpose of the MV-104 is to establish the facts that led up to the accident.
Securing a New York car accident police report can be accomplished through several accessible methods:
- Online: For collisions within New York City, the NYPD online portal provides digital access to request reports. The NY DMV website offers another online ordering option, though electronically submitted reports from NYC boroughs generally become available approximately 14 days following the crash, while reports from other areas may need additional processing time. Online requests often prove fastest after reports become available.
- In Person: Victims can appear at the precinct responding to the accident, bringing the report number if available, or providing details like the date, time, location, and vehicle information. If you don’t know the specific precinct, the NYPD website includes a precinct finder tool based on the accident location.
- By Mail: Those preferring mail requests can send the completed form to the Traffic Safety Officer at the relevant precinct.
The DMV and the drivers’ insurance companies will use the facts contained in the report to determine liability for the accident. This will begin the claims process. If you’re a driver in New York, you should know how to obtain a copy of this report. However, if you want to file a claim in New York for a vehicle accident, you don’t necessarily need a police report to move forward.
Online Crash Report Sales Portal: Quick Guide
The Online Crash Report Sales Portal is the fastest way to request an NYC accident report without visiting a precinct. According to the New York DMV, there are two paths into the portal depending on whether a driver already holds an NY.gov ID. Those with an existing account click “Order Crash Reports Online,” sign in with their credentials, and complete a shared secrets setup before reaching the order screen. Drivers without an account can create an NY.gov ID before proceeding through the same steps.
Once inside the portal, the system requests basic details such as the date of the crash, location, and names of involved parties. Accurate information helps locate the correct report quickly. Payment follows through a secure checkout, and digital copies typically arrive soon after confirmation.
Many drivers encounter delays due to minor errors, such as incorrect dates or misspelled names. Verifying those details before submitting avoids unnecessary delays. A properly obtained report supports a car accident claim and provides clarity during the early stages of a legal case.
What Kind of Information Is in the Accident Report?
The accident report will contain valuable information about the accident. The type of information requested in an accident report includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Date of the accident
- Time of the accident
- Location of the accident
- Make and model year of vehicles involved
- License plate numbers of vehicles involved
- Driver’s license numbers for all drivers involved
- Name of any passenger(s) involved in the accident
- Contact information for driver(s), passenger(s), and witness(es)
- Insurance policy information for all drivers involved
- General weather conditions (e.g., wet, snowy, raining, sunny, dusk) at the time of the accident
- Summary of any injuries to drivers, passengers, cyclists, or pedestrians involved
- Any moving violations or other citations issued by police
- Description of any damage to vehicles or property
- Sketches or drawings that describe the accident (e.g., direction of vehicles before and after the accident)
If the police respond to the accident, they will file the report automatically. However, if they do not, New York law requires the drivers involved to file form MV-104 with the DMV no later than 10 days after the accident. The MV-104 will also become part of the official records for each driver involved in the accident. Every detail counts, so provide as much information as possible.
Why do I Need a Copy of My Accident Report?
If the police didn’t respond to your accident and issue a citation at the scene, it’s possible that one or more of the other drivers involved may contest liability.
That’s why your insurance company (and that of the other driver) will use the accident report to assess which driver was more at fault in causing the accident. This is just part of why it is so important to contact an experienced attorney immediately after an accident.
How do I Get a Copy of My Accident Report?
If the police responded to your accident, you should get a copy of the report from the police station for the precinct where the accident happened. Generally, the report will be available no later than 30 days after the accident. If, however, the police did not respond and you submitted an accident report yourself, you will need to complete the Request for Copy of Collision Record Form.
You can fill this form out online, but remember to make two copies. Once you have completed both copies, you can mail them to the police precinct where the accident occurred or drop them off in person at the precinct. The NYPD also has an online service where you can request a copy of your accident report.
However, the report may not be available until at least seven business days after the accident. The precinct will retain copies of the accident report for 30 days after the accident, after which they are forwarded to the New York State Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. If you don’t request your accident report from the precinct within this 30-day period, you must get your accident report directly from the DMV.
Do You Need a Lawyer to Get a Report?
No, a lawyer is not required to obtain a crash report, but legal guidance can make the process more effective. Attorneys review reports for accuracy, identify missing details, and connect the information to a broader legal strategy. Small inconsistencies can affect liability arguments, especially in cases involving multiple drivers or injuries. Having counsel manage follow-ups when agencies delay responses keeps the case moving while clients focus on recovery.
Injured in a Car Accident? Contact a Long Island Car Accident Lawyer Today
After a car crash, your NYC accident report is one of the important pieces of information you can have. Obtaining it while dealing with injuries and property damage can be overwhelming. Our team at Law Office Of Cohen & Jaffe – Long Island Personal Injury Lawyers handles tasks such as obtaining police reports so you can focus on your recovery. Call us today at 516-358-6900 for a free consultation.