How To Get a Police Accident Report in New York
If you’ve been in a car accident in New York City – whether in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, or Staten Island – obtaining your police accident report is one of the most important steps you can take after a crash. This official report can play a significant role in determining fault, supporting your insurance claim, and strengthening your personal injury lawsuit.
At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, our New York car accident lawyers help injury victims quickly obtain their NYPD and DMV accident reports, review them for accuracy, and use them to recover the maximum compensation possible.
Why Your New York Police Accident Report Is So Important
Your New York police report serves as the official record of your crash. It is one of the first documents insurance companies, attorneys, and courts review when evaluating fault and damages.
A typical NYPD accident report (MV-104A) includes:
- Date, time, and precise location of the crash
- Names and contact info of all drivers, passengers, and witnesses
- Vehicle details and license plate numbers
- Insurance and registration information
- Weather, road, and lighting conditions
- Officer’s written narrative and diagram of the crash
- Citations or arrests made at the scene
Without this report, it becomes much harder to prove liability, especially in severe injury cases.
How To Obtain Your New York Police Accident Report
The process depends on which agency investigated your crash – the New York Police Department (NYPD) (https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/index.page), New York State Police (https://troopers.ny.gov/), or the New York State Thruway Authority (https://www.thruway.ny.gov/).
1. NYPD Accident Reports (Crashes Within New York City)
A. Online – NYPD Collision Report Retrieval Portal
If your accident occurred on NYC streets:
- Visit the NYPD Collision Report Retrieval Portal: https://collisionreport.nypdonline.org/
- Enter your report number, date of crash, and driver’s license information.
- Pay the administrative fee (approximately $10).
- Download your official report in PDF format.
Reports are typically uploaded within 7 business days and remain available online for 30 days before being transferred to the DMV.
B. In Person
Visit the NYPD precinct where your crash occurred.
Find your local precinct using the NYPD Precinct Finder: https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/bureaus/patrol/find-your-precinct.page
Bring:
- A government-issued photo ID
- Two copies of the Request for Copy of Collision Record Form: https://www.nyc.gov/assets/nypd/downloads/pdf/traffic/request-for-copy-of-collision-record.pdf
Pickup is free, but you must retrieve your report within 30 days of the incident.
C. By Mail
Mail two completed request forms and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the precinct where the accident occurred.
After 30 days, the report will be transferred to the New York DMV: https://dmv.ny.gov/
2. New York State Police Accident Reports
For crashes on state highways, parkways, or rural routes:
A. Online – DMV Accident Report Search
Go to the DMV Accident Report Search portal: https://transact2.dmv.ny.gov/CrashLookup/
Provide:
- Date and county of the crash
- Driver’s license or plate number
- Driver’s name and date of birth
Fees:
- $7 search fee
- $15 per report copy
B. By Mail
Complete Form MV-198C – Request for Copy of Accident Report: https://dmv.ny.gov/forms/mv198c.pdf
Include:
- A copy of your photo ID
- $10 search fee
- $15 per report
Mail to the address listed on the form.
C. In Person
Visit your nearest DMV office: https://dmv.ny.gov/offices
or State Police barracks: https://troopers.ny.gov/station-listing
Within 30 days, copies are free; after that, DMV fees apply.
3. New York State Thruway Accident Reports
If your crash occurred on the New York State Thruway (I-87, I-90, I-95, or I-190):
- Complete Form TA-W4310 – Request for Copy of Police Accident Report: https://www.thruway.ny.gov/forms/policereport.pdf
- Submit by mail, fax, or email to the New York State Thruway Authority: https://www.thruway.ny.gov/about/contact.html
- Include a $15 non-refundable fee (check, money order, or credit card).
Processing typically takes 3–5 weeks.
Why You Should Get a Copy of Your Accident Report
Even if you’re not filing a claim immediately, getting your report helps you:
- Document your injuries and property damage
- Prove fault and liability in insurance negotiations
- Prevent false claims from other drivers
- Protect your rights if new symptoms appear later
Without it, insurers may dispute your version of events or deny your claim entirely.
Understanding Fault in New York Car Accidents
New York is a no-fault insurance state, but you can file a personal injury lawsuit if you suffered a “serious injury” under state law – such as fractures, permanent scarring, or disability.
Under New York’s pure comparative negligence law, even if you’re partially at fault, you can still recover compensation reduced by your percentage of fault. A thorough police report helps establish this balance clearly.
Legal Deadlines for Accident Reports and Claims
- Personal Injury Lawsuit: File within 3 years of the crash.
- Wrongful Death Claim: File within 2 years of death.
- Notice of Claim (against NYC or a public agency): File within 90 days.
Missing these deadlines could mean losing your right to compensation.
How Greenstein & Pittari, LLP Can Help
When you’re injured, the last thing you should worry about is navigating police systems or DMV portals.
Our New York car accident lawyers will:
- Obtain and verify your police accident report
- Correct any errors or missing data
- Gather supporting medical, witness, and video evidence
- Negotiate directly with insurance companies
- File your personal injury lawsuit and fight for maximum compensation
We handle all types of vehicle accidents:
- Car and truck crashes
- Pedestrian and bicycle injuries
- Uber, Lyft, and delivery vehicle collisions
- Bus and municipal vehicle accidents
Why Choose Greenstein & Pittari, LLP
- Local NYC offices – conveniently located in Harlem, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Yonkers, and Nassau County
- No fee unless we win your case – Our Fee Guarantee
- Top-rated attorneys recognized by Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers
- Bilingual staff ready to assist English and Spanish-speaking clients
- Hundreds of satisfied clients and five-star reviews across New York
Our firm’s motto says it all: “Don’t Be a Victim Twice.”
Serving Clients Throughout New York City
We proudly represent accident victims in:
Manhattan • Brooklyn • Queens • The Bronx • Staten Island • Long Island
Wherever your accident happened, our legal team can help you get your police accident report and pursue justice.
Contact a New York Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you’ve been injured in a car crash, don’t try to handle insurance companies alone.
Let Greenstein & Pittari, LLP secure your NYPD accident report, protect your rights, and fight for every dollar you deserve.
You can call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.
The call is free. The consultation is free. You don’t pay us unless we win your case.