NYC Car Accident Lawyer: Finding Insurance Coverage After a Crash

A serious car accident in New York City can turn your life upside down in minutes. You may be facing an ambulance ride, emergency room treatment, missed work, and nonstop insurance paperwork while you are still trying to recover. One of the most important and most frustrating issues after a crash is finding the right insurance coverage, especially if the other driver refuses to cooperate, the police could not collect full details at the scene, or the collision involved a hit-and-run.

At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, our NYC car accident lawyers help injured people across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island track down insurance information, identify every possible source of coverage, and pursue the maximum compensation available under New York law.

Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) now for a FREE consultation or contact us online to speak with a New York City car accident lawyer.

Why Insurance Coverage Matters After a New York City Car Accident

Insurance coverage is the gateway to compensation after a car crash. In most cases, your recovery is paid through an insurance policy, not directly from the at-fault driver’s bank account. When insurer or policy information is missing or incorrect, claims are delayed, disputed, or denied.

Accurate insurance information becomes even more critical when:

• The other driver flees the scene in a hit-and-run
• The other driver refuses to provide insurance details
• The information you received looks wrong or expired
• You later learn the other driver is uninsured or underinsured
• Your injuries prevent you from collecting information at the crash scene

If you are unsure where to start, we can step in quickly, confirm coverage, and put the right insurance companies on notice.

Speak with a NYC car accident lawyer today. Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) for a free consultation.

New York No-Fault Insurance Basics

New York is a no-fault insurance state, which means you typically start with your own auto insurance for injury-related expenses regardless of who caused the crash.

Key types of coverage that may apply

• Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or No-Fault Benefits: Pays specific reasonable and necessary medical bills and a portion of lost wages up to your policy limits.
• Bodily Injury Liability (BIL): The at-fault driver’s coverage that may apply if you can step outside of no-fault.
• Property Damage Liability: Covers damage to vehicles or property caused by the insured driver. This coverage is often pursued for car repairs.

Many NYC car accidents result in injuries and financial losses that exceed PIP coverage. When that happens, identifying the proper liability coverage can be the difference between a fair recovery and months of delay.

When You Can Pursue the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance in NYC

You may be able to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability coverage if:

• You exhaust no-fault benefits, and or
• You meet New York’s serious injury threshold, which can open the door to compensation beyond PIP, including pain and suffering

If you are not sure whether your injuries qualify, our firm can evaluate your case and explain your options.

Free consultation available. Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462).

Your Duties After a Car Accident in New York City

After a car crash in New York, you are generally required to:

• Stop at the scene
• Provide reasonable assistance to injured people
• Exchange identifying information, including insurance information typically shown via an insurance card
• Call the police when there are injuries or a death, and cooperate with responding officers

Even if you feel okay, you should still exchange insurance details. Some injuries, including concussions and other brain injuries, can take hours or days to show symptoms.

Does the NYPD Accident Report Automatically Go to Your Insurance Company

It is safer to assume no.

Even if NYPD responded and a crash report exists, your insurance company may not know about the accident until:

• You report it, or
• A claim is opened, and the insurer requests the report from you or obtains it through official channels

Notice requirements matter. Delays and missteps can create avoidable coverage issues.

Why the Police Accident Report Matters

Insurance companies often review police reports during the claim process. A report may include:

• Date, time, and location of the crash
• Names and contact information of the parties involved
• Witness contact information
• Vehicle damage observations
• Road, weather, and lighting conditions
• A diagram of how the crash occurred
• Statements from drivers and witnesses
• The officer’s impressions about cause and fault

A police report can help, but it is not perfect. Details can be incomplete or inaccurate, especially if the officer did not witness the collision. We help clients build the evidence that proves what happened.

What to Collect at the Scene of a NYC Car Accident

If you are physically able and it is safe to do so, could you collect the following from each driver involved?

Driver identity and contact

• Full name (ask them to spell it or photograph their driver’s license)
• Phone number, email, and address if available

Vehicle identifiers

• Driver’s license number
• License plate number
• Vehicle identification number (VIN), if accessible
• Vehicle make, model, and color

Insurance details

• Insurance company name
• Insurer contact phone number if shown
• Policy number
• Policy expiration date if shown

Best practice is to take clear photos of the insurance card, driver’s license, and license plate. Photos reduce transcription errors and serve as a backup if paperwork is lost.

A Critical Tip: Stay Calm and Do Not Discuss Fault

Exchange information without arguing about blame. Anything you say at the scene can be repeated to insurance adjusters later and used to reduce or deny your claim.

Stick to names, insurance details, vehicle information, and documenting what you see.

If You Are Too Injured to Collect Insurance Information

If you are seriously hurt, you may be unable to leave your vehicle, access your phone, or speak clearly. You still have options:

• Ask a passenger or trusted bystander to gather photos and information for you
• Tell the responding officer you are physically unable to exchange details, so the officer can collect identifying and insurance information for the report

Once you are stable, we can help you obtain the report and confirm coverage.

If the Other Driver Refuses to Provide Insurance Information

Some drivers deflect, argue, or refuse to provide insurance details. If that happens:

• Do not escalate the situation
• Wait for the police
• Let law enforcement obtain the information and document the refusal

When police are present, drivers generally must cooperate with the officer’s information-gathering process. The crash report may become your most reliable source for insurance details.

What to Do After a Hit-and-Run in New York City

If the other driver leaves the scene, you’ll need to gather clues as soon as possible.

The most crucial piece of information

The license plate number, even a partial plate.

Also, try to note

• Color
• Make and model
• Vehicle type, such as SUV, sedan, or truck
• Identifying features, such as stickers or tinted windows
• Number of occupants
• Direction of travel

If there are witnesses, get their contact info. If possible, identify nearby cameras, such as street, storefront, or ATM cameras.

Then please call 911 as soon as possible and give me as many details as you can remember. Even without a full plate, a combination of more information can help police locate the vehicle and its owner.

How to Get Insurance Information Later in New York

If you could not get the information at the scene or you lost it, several routes may help.

Could you get the accident report?

When law enforcement responds, an accident report typically includes identifying details and insurance information. Once available, the report can help move your claim forward.

Request a DMV insurance search.

If the crash report is missing insurance details or you suspect they are incomplete, the New York DMV may be able to conduct an insurance search. These requests often require:

• Accident date
• Vehicle make, model, and year
• Registrant or owner name when available
• A copy of the police accident report or a report filed with the DMV

If the information does not match DMV records, the request may be rejected. Accuracy matters.

Use the three-digit insurance company code on the crash report if listed

Some crash reports identify the insurer using a three-digit code rather than a full carrier name. That code can often be matched to the carrier using publicly available code lists maintained by New York agencies. We can help interpret the report and open the claim correctly.

Have your lawyer confirm coverage and identify additional policies

Insurance coverage in NYC crashes can be layered. Depending on the facts, there may be additional sources of coverage, such as:

• A vehicle owner’s policy that is different from the driver’s policy
• Another household member’s policy
• Employer or commercial policies for rideshare, delivery, and company vehicles
• Umbrella policies in some situations

What If the Insurance Information Does Not Match

Sometimes the information you receive does not add up:

• The name on the policy is different
• The policy appears expired
• The card appears to cover a different vehicle

It could be an honest explanation, such as someone driving another person’s car, or a warning sign. Photos, the crash report, and insurer verification help confirm what coverage applies.

What If the Other Driver Is Uninsured or Underinsured

If the at-fault driver is uninsured or does not have enough coverage, you may still have options, including:

• Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Motorist coverage through your own policy, often referred to as UM or SUM
• Other available policies depending on vehicle ownership, employment, and other responsible parties

Even when you file through your own insurance company, insurers can still challenge claims and limit payouts. We help protect clients from common tactics that delay or reduce compensation.

Why Notice and Cooperation Requirements Matter

Most insurance policies require timely notice of a crash and cooperation with reasonable requests during the claim process. If notice requirements are missed or key information is not provided, an insurance company may argue non-compliance and attempt to deny coverage.

Our job is to protect you from preventable mistakes and handle insurance communications in a way that supports your claim.

How Greenstein & Pittari, LLP Helps After a NYC Car Accident

When you hire our NYC personal injury lawyers, we work to:

• Identify and confirm all available insurance coverage
• Obtain crash reports, records, and documentation
• Preserve evidence such as photos, witness information, and vehicle identifiers
• Handle communications with insurance companies so you do not get pressured into harmful statements
• Pursue compensation beyond no-fault when legally available
• Prepare your case for settlement or trial, depending on what your case needs

You focus on healing. We focus on protecting your rights.

Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) now for a FREE consultation.

NYC Car Accident Insurance Coverage FAQ

Do I always file with the other driver’s insurance after a NYC crash

Not usually. In New York City, you typically start with your own PIP or no-fault coverage for medical bills and certain lost wages. Claims against the at-fault driver may come into play if you meet the serious injury threshold or no-fault benefits are exhausted.

What is PIP or no-fault insurance in New York?

PIP pays for specific medical treatment and a portion of lost wages after a car accident, up to your policy limits, regardless of fault.

What does serious injury mean in New York?

Serious injury is a legal threshold that can allow compensation beyond no-fault limits, including for pain and suffering. Whether you qualify depends on your medical records and how your injuries fit the legal definition. We can evaluate this in a free consultation.

What should I collect at the crash scene?

If safe, collect the driver’s identity, contact info, insurance company name and policy number, license plate, vehicle details, photos of damage and the scene, and witness contact information.

What if the other driver refuses to provide insurance information

Please don’t argue. Call the police and let law enforcement document the refusal and obtain the information for the crash report.

Does the police accident report automatically go to my insurance company

Usually not. You should report the crash to your insurer and treat notice as a critical step.

How do I get the NYPD accident report?

Availability varies. Once it is available, you can typically request it through official channels. We can help you obtain and review the report.

What does a three-digit insurance code mean on a crash report

Some reports use a three-digit code to identify the insurance carrier. That code can often be matched to the insurer using official code lists.

Can the DMV find the other driver’s insurance for me

In many cases, the DMV can conduct an insurance search, but you typically need specific details and supporting documentation. If information does not match DMV records, the request can be rejected.

What should I do after a hit-and-run in New York City

Call 911 immediately. Try to record the plate number, even if only partial, the vehicle description, and the direction of travel. Identify witnesses and possible cameras. Notify your insurer.

What if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured

You may still have options through your own policy, including UM or SUM coverage, and through other responsible parties, depending on the facts. A lawyer can help identify every possible source of recovery.

Should I notify my own insurance company if I was not at fault

Yes. Many policies require prompt notice. Reporting does not mean you are admitting fault.

How long do I have to act after a NYC car accident

Deadlines can apply quickly, including insurance notice requirements and legal statutes of limitation. Time limits can also vary if a government vehicle or agency is involved. Could you speak with a lawyer as soon as possible?

Get Help Today From Greenstein & Pittari, LLP

If you are injured and trying to figure out who insured the other driver, whether no-fault will cover enough, or what to do about a hit-and-run, uninsured, or underinsured driver, we are here to help.

Greenstein & Pittari, LLP serves injured New Yorkers across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island.

Please feel free to call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) for a FREE consultation or contact us online for answers and a clear plan forward.

Why Choose Greenstein & Pittari

• Local Harlem office for convenience and trust
• Our Fee Guarantee: no fee unless we win your case
• Bilingual services available
• Hundreds of positive client reviews and testimonials
• We handle the insurance companies so you can focus on healing
• Top-rated, award-winning lawyers, including recognition by Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers

Don’t Be a Victim Twice

At Greenstein & Pittari, we practice exclusively personal injury law with a proven record of results, responsiveness, and relentless advocacy. We offer free consultations, work on a contingency basis, and fight for clients across New York every day.

We have seven convenient locations throughout New York with offices in Harlem, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Yonkers, and Nassau County.

You can call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) to schedule your confidential consultation and take the first step toward the compensation and justice you deserve. The call is free. The consultation is free. You do not pay us unless we are successful. That is our Fee Guarantee: No Fee Unless Successful.