How Can You Get Your Accident Report from the NYPD? A Car Accident Lawyer NYC Elaborates

Following an accident, you and your New York City auto accident attorney would undoubtedly be busy gathering all the evidence you need to build your case; therefore, getting your hands on the police report on the accident should be one of your top priorities. But how does one get an accident report from the NYPD? That’s the exact question the team at Gabriel Law is here to answer.

Why is a police report important for your claim?

A police report is one of the most important pieces of evidence that can be used in a car accident investigation. The findings of a report can significantly influence the outcome of a case because:

Unbiased and Objective—It is an unbiased third-party account of the accident, which carries more weight compared to the accounts of the parties involved in the accident, who can bend the facts to suit their version of the story.
Includes key information—The report will include key details such as time, location, weather, and road conditions. Car accident lawyers can use these findings to establish the circumstances of the accident and the fault of the parties.
Helps determine fault—Through the police report, the parties can connect the dots to determine who is at fault for the accident and adjust their negotiating positions accordingly. The evidence can also be used to refute attempts made to pass the blame and reduce compensation.

Who is allowed to request an accident report from the NYPD?

In New York, only people directly connected to a particular accident can request the accident report for it. Generally, this can include:

The drivers involved in the crash.
Passengers involved in the crash.
Pedestrians or cyclists involved in the accident.
The owners of the vehicles or property damaged in the accident.
Attorneys or representatives acting on behalf of the victim or insurance company.
Parents or legal guardians if the accident involved a minor.

What are the methods to request an accident report?

You can request an accident report from the NYPD in four ways. They are:

In-person
Online
By mail
Through your car accident lawyer NYC

You can request a collision report through the NYPD’s Collision Report Retrieval Portal. This allows you to access collision reports for accidents that occurred after September 30th, 2016. This request must be made within 30 days of the incident, and once the request is made, it will take seven business days to process.

Alternatively, you also have the option of requesting a copy of the report at the precinct where the report was filed. You need to fill out a download and complete two copies of the “Request for Copy of Collision Record” form by either dropping them off in person or sending them via mail. The request must be made within 30 days from when the report was filed.

The collision reports will only be held by the relevant police precinct for 30 days before they are forwarded to the New York State Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. Therefore, if you are hoping to access a copy of the accident report after the initial 30 days, you need to submit your request to the New York DMV through form MV-198C.

How much does it cost to request a crash report?

If you are directly requesting the report from the NYPD, there will be no costs. However, if the report has been transferred to the DMV, you will incur a $7 search fee and a $15 fee per report.

Conclusion

In terms of evidentiary value, there are only a few others that can match or surpass the weight and credibility of a police accident report, so getting your hands on it is a must. Save yourself the trouble of filling out forms and visiting police stations by calling on the services of Gabriel Law. Over the years, we’ve handled plenty of insurance claims and lawsuits, and we are here to help. If you are interested in what we have to offer, let’s get started with a free consultation.