How to Obtain a Car Accident Report in New York City

In New York City, you can obtain a car accident report online, by mail, or in person at the relevant precinct. If you are going to pursue an injury claim, it is a good idea to get a copy of your crash report and keep it for your own evidence file.

On the other hand, if you are unable to retrieve the report yourself or have questions about the process, our team can help you. We can also gather other forms of evidence that could build your case for compensation, such as expert witness statements or even accident reconstruction data.

What You Should Know About Retrieving Your Car Accident Report in New York City

Depending on your method of retrieving a report, consider the following:

Getting a Car Crash Report Online

According to the New York City Police Department (NYPD), you can get your car accident report through the Collision Report Retrieval Portal.

Here, you will be asked to provide details about your accident, including:

• Accident date
• Borough where the crash occurred
• Your information, such as driver’s license number and plate number

It may take some time for your report to become accessible through this portal. The NYPD notes that it can take up to seven days.

Seeking the Report in-Person or by Mail

If you’d like a physical copy of the report by going to your precinct, the NYPD notes that you should:

• Fill out two copies of the form “Request for Copy of Collision Record.”
• Locate the precinct where the accident occurred using the NYPD’s precinct map online.

The form required to request your accident report will ask questions similar to those in the online retrieval portal. For instance, you will need to provide information about the date and location of the crash and driver details.

If you would like to receive your crash report by mail, you should mail two copies of this form to the precinct where the crash occurred.

If You Are Accessing Your Crash Report more than 30 Days After the Incident

Note that your crash report will remain on file at the local precinct in New York City for 30 days. After that time, you can access the report through the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which has a different set of protocols for accessing a report.

You can expect to pay for both the cost of the report as well as search fees, if you must go through the DMV. For online records, this will cost $22 ($7 search fee plus $15 report fee) or $25 ($10 search fee plus $15 report fee).

When Can it Help to Work with a Lawyer After a Car Accident?

In a minor car accident, your injuries could be mild, and your needs could be covered through an insurance claim. In this case, you may decide that you want to pursue your claim on your own. Doing so means that you will need to gather evidence—including the police report—yourself.

On the other hand, you may be considering your options for pursuing a personal injury case and seeking compensation from a negligent driver. Especially in these situations, you may appreciate legal guidance.

In some instances you may believe that you have a small claim when in reality your claim is more substantial.  Only after speaking to an experienced car accident lawyer will you fully understand your rights.

Here are some reasons why you may want to seek out our legal help. Our lawyers can:

Determine If You Can Seek Additional Compensation Beyond Your Own Coverage

Depending on the severity of your injuries and the level of the other driver’s fault for your crash, you may have multiple options for a financial recovery after the crash.

If you have substantial injuries and medical costs, we can help you pursue a claim or lawsuit against the liable driver. In doing so, we would have to prove that the other party was negligent and that your injuries meet the New York serious injury threshold.

In such cases, we could seek additional forms of compensation, such as:

• Pain and suffering damages
• Losses to your income and earning potential
• Additional damages to cover your medical costs

If you choose to work with our team, we can tell you exactly what options you have for pursuing compensation.

Negotiate a Fair Settlement

No matter what legal pathway you take, we can help you seek fair compensation and negotiate the best possible settlement for you.

All too often, even seemingly straightforward claims don’t receive the settlement offer they deserve. Initially, an insurer may offer you an amount that is far lower than the true value of your claim.

We are familiar with car accident cases and can gather the evidence needed to prove how much you deserve. We will also handle all of the back and forth of communications for you, ensuring that you don’t have to handle the insurance companies alone. If we have to take your case to trial to get fair compensation, we will handle litigation for you.

Gather Additional Forms of Evidence for Your Case

It may help your case for compensation if we gather additional forms of evidence beyond the police report. For instance, let’s say that a negligent driver was speeding on the highway, cut you off, and caused your vehicle to veer off the road. You may have faced serious trauma from a crash like this, as some victims in near-fatal crashes can experience intense fear in the wake of the crash and an ongoing disinclination to drive.

If you received a diagnosis such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), we could gather expert testimony to prove your diagnosis and show that you were emotionally harmed.

We can also build evidence from sources such as:

• Witness testimony
• Statements from your medical team
• Dashboard camera footage
• Video from local traffic cameras and business cameras

Get a Free Case Review from Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP

Our team is ready to help you recover fair and reasonable financial compensation for each and every type of physical, emotional and financial injury you sustained. if a negligent driver caused your serious injuries. Our car accident lawyers take no fee unless we win for you, so there is no risk involved in seeking our help.

You don’t have to obtain a car accident report in New York City on your own—or gather other forms of evidence yourself, either. Let us get to work for you. Call Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP today to learn more during your free case review.  But don’t delay as there are deadlines that limit your rights.  If you fail to bring your claim for benefits or compensation on time, you could be prevented from recovering the money you deserve.

Call or text (646) 692-0204 or complete a free case evaluation form.