How to Get a Police Report Following My Car Accident in New York

If you’ve been in a car accident in New York, it’s important to know how to obtain a police report. A police report is an official document that records the details of the accident, including the date, time, location, and parties involved. The report can provide valuable information that may be necessary when dealing with insurance companies or in legal proceedings.

To learn more about retrieving a police report in New York following a car accident, continue reading below. 

How to Get an Accident Report Following a Car Accident

If you have recently been involved in a car accident, it is important to contact the police and file a report immediately. Following the incident, having a copy of the police report is vital for various reasons. 

Here are some of the best ways to obtain a report following a car accident. 

Online Through the Police Department

The NYPD has an online portal that allows residents to request a copy of their police report in the event of a car crash. This is particularly useful for those who were injured in the accident and found it difficult to go to a police precinct physically. The online portal provides access to police reports anywhere in the city, making it a convenient option. 

With this online portal, residents can conveniently access crucial information about their accident, including its circumstances, the time and location, and other drivers’ names.

Online Through the Department of Motor Vehicles

If you cannot access New York’s DMV’s online portal or visit in person to obtain a copy of your accident report, there is still an option available to you. You can use DMV’s online record search to retrieve the report. However, this may require some basic information about the accident, such as the date and location. 

Alternatively, you can also enlist the help of your Shulman & Hill car accident attorneys to obtain the report for you. The process is fairly straightforward, but you will need to provide them with the necessary details to retrieve the report, such as your name, date of birth, and the location of the accident. 

In Person at the Police Office

If you’ve been involved in an accident in New York City, it’s important to know that most police precincts of the NYPD keep copies of police reports for a period of 30 days. This means that if the accident occurred recently and was close to where you live or work, you can visit the precinct and easily obtain a copy of the report free of cost. 

All you need is to provide details about the incident, such as the date and time it took place, your driver’s license number, and the license plate number of your car. If you were a passenger during the accident, make sure to collect this information from the driver. 

How Much Does a Police Report Cost to Obtain?

When you’re involved in a car accident in NYC, obtaining a police report may be essential to filing an insurance claim/lawsuit and proving damages. However, it’s important to understand that fees may be associated with obtaining a report copy. 

In-person retrieval from the NYPD is generally free for accident victims, but if your report includes photographs or videos, there may be a printing fee. Additionally, if you choose to obtain a report online through the NYPD’s Collision Report Retrieval Portal, there is a fee of $22-25 per report. 

If you have questions about whether or not you will be required to pay a fee, don’t hesitate to consult with your car accident lawyer for clarification. 

Is There a Deadline to Obtain Your Report Following an Accident?

As you know by now, collecting a copy of the police report is crucial for insurance claims and legal proceedings. However, waiting too long to request a copy of the report can create significant challenges for victims. It’s important to note that car accident reports are only kept at NYPD precincts for a limited period. 

Specifically, reports are available for thirty days after they have been filed, not from the date of the accident. Requesting a copy of the report as soon as possible is best to avoid any hassle. If you fail to do so within the thirty-day period, you won’t be able to get a copy from the precinct where the report was completed. Instead, you must access it from the NYPD’s digital portal or the New York DMV’s portal for crash reports. 

Therefore, it’s crucial to inquire about the report’s availability at your local precinct or seek assistance from your attorney to ensure the earliest possible delays. 

Get Your Police Report With Confidence!

In conclusion, obtaining a copy of your police report after a car accident in New York is crucial for any personal injury claims or insurance purposes. The police report contains key details of the accident, such as names and contact information of witnesses, statements from all involved parties, and pictures of the accident scene.

Luckily, there are plenty of options for obtaining it. With the right information and assistance, you can move forward with your car accident claim, getting the compensation you deserve for your losses and injuries.