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If you are involved in a crash that causes injury to you or others, or if someone dies, New York requires that you immediately report the crash to the police. You must also contact local law enforcement if there is damage to any person’s property, including your own, that exceeds $1,000. 

Contacting the police is more than just a legal requirement; it can also be incredibly valuable if you later decide to file a lawsuit related to the accident. This is because the police will investigate and prepare a report that can contain useful information. Unless you know how to obtain this report, its contents will remain out of your reach. 

What Happens When Police Respond to an Accident 

Suppose that you are involved in a car accident and suffer a broken bone as a result. What happens after you contact the police and report the crash? Each department has its own policies governing how they will investigate wrecks, but the officers who are on the scene will likely do the following: 

• Gather information about the drivers and vehicles involved, including their insurance information  
• Document the damage to the vehicles, including location and severity 
• Make note of physical evidence like traffic signs and signals, cross-streets, skid marks, and debris 
• Make a determination as to who was responsible for the crash and how 

Depending on the agency, they may also photograph their observations, especially those that support their conclusions about the accident’s cause. 

How a Police Report Can Help Your Car Accident Lawsuit 

A police report provides an assessment of the facts of your crash by an objective third party. The information contained in these documents can help you identify people who may be responsible for your injuries, evidence that supports your claims, and potential weaknesses in your case. Thus, the police report can be helpful to you after a crash. 

However, this is not to say that all police reports are equally valuable. A report that does not accurately record the facts or that contains unsupported opinions will be less helpful. Unfortunately, there is no way to know whether the report prepared after your accident is useful or not until you obtain a copy. 

Contact the Local Jurisdiction and Request Your Police Report 

Getting a copy of your police report can be as easy as requesting it from the jurisdiction that investigated your crash. If your accident happened within the past few weeks, you could contact the department directly and request a certified copy. Be prepared to provide your name and the date and location of your accident.  

If your crash happened a month or more ago, you can make your request to the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) by completing an MV-198c form and submitting it by mail to the DMV. You can also make a request online. Be aware that you can only access reports connected to your accident, and there is a fee. 

What to Do if You Have Trouble Accessing Your Report 

There can be several situations where obtaining your car accident report from the police proves difficult. Some of the scenarios where you might encounter trouble include: 

• When you are traveling in an unfamiliar part of New York and are unfamiliar with the local police department or precinct 
• When you do not remember which agency responded to your accident 
• When you sustained injuries that make it difficult to remember when or where your accident happened 
• When unforeseen circumstances render you unable to prove your identity or pay the fee to access the report 

In these and similar circumstances, an experienced New York car crash attorney can help. Your lawyer can identify the appropriate agency that possesses your police report and request a copy on your behalf. The sooner you contact an attorney, the easier it will be for them to accomplish this task. 

Beyond simply requesting your police report, your attorney can review that report and the facts of your crash with you. In doing so, your lawyer can help you understand the compensation you are entitled to receive and who is responsible for paying it.  

Speak to Your New York Car Accident Attorney Today 

If you or a loved one have been involved in a New York car accident, Silberstein & Miklos can help. You can schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our experienced team members, and they will assist you in understanding your rights and next steps. 

When you are ready to proceed with a claim or lawsuit, the seasoned professionals at Silberstein & Miklos will professionally and passionately advocate for your interests and needs. Contact the firm today.