Craig D. Rosenbaum | October 28, 2025 | Car Accidents in New York
Police accident reports document the details of car crashes that leave victims with severe injuries or property damage. They can play a crucial role in preparing to bring a lawsuit against a negligent driver for the harm they’ve caused. As such, it can be helpful to understand how personal injury lawyers use these reports to build clients’ cases and assist them in seeking compensation.
Continue reading to learn how to obtain a New York state police accident report and how it can impact a personal injury claim.
What Is a Car Accident Report?
Under New York law, any traffic accident that results in injury, death, or more than $1,000 in property damage must be reported to the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. Those involved must also report any such crash to local law enforcement, which will then respond to the crash scene and prepare its own report concerning the ensuing investigation.
What Information is Included in a Car Accident Report?
Any police report filed after a crash will include:
- The names and contact details of those involved
- The time and location where the crash occurred
- A narrative of how the accident was reported to have happened
- The insurance information of all drivers involved
- A diagram of the accident scene, including the approximate locations of the vehicles, skid marks, and debris
- A list of the circumstances the officer believes contributed to the accident, such as alcohol use or inclement weather
In short, the police accident report contains all the basic information a person needs to answer the questions of who, what, where, when, why, and how a car accident happened. This information serves as an essential starting point for those seeking compensation after a serious accident.
How to Get a Copy of Your New York State Accident Report
If you need a copy of the police report prepared in connection with your accident, it’s important to understand that New York City and New York State have different procedures. If you’re involved in a crash in New York City, you’ll need to contact the New York City Police Department.
For collisions that happen anywhere else in the state, you can obtain a certified copy of your accident report in one of three ways:
Online
You can visit the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles website to request a copy of your report. You must pay a $7 search fee and a $15 access fee (per report) to obtain the relevant report. After paying these fees, you can download a copy directly from the website.
By Mail
Alternatively, you can fill out Form MV-198C and mail the completed form to the DMV at NYSDMV, MV-198C Processing, 6 Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12228.
Along with your request, you must include a $10 non-refundable search fee and $15 for each copy of the report you wish to receive. Note that this method may not be appropriate if you need to quickly get a copy of your report.
In Person
Lastly, if you know the New York State Police Troop that responded to your accident, you can visit its headquarters in person to request a copy of your accident report. It’s a good idea to call first, as each troop may have slightly different procedures and processing times. Be prepared to bring your identification and pay the required fees for the search and copies of your report.
Contact the Bronx Car Accident Attorneys at Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
You don’t need to obtain your crash report before reaching out for legal guidance. Once you hire Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers, our team can handle the process of requesting and reviewing your accident report on your behalf.
Your attorney will explain how the details in the report may affect liability, insurance claims, and settlement negotiations. Whether you’ve already secured the report or need help obtaining it, our Bronx car accident lawyers are ready to guide you through every step of your recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn how we can help you pursue justice and fair compensation.
Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers – New York City Office
100 Wall St 24th Floor
New York, NY 10005
(212) 514-5007
Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers – Bronx Office
1578 Williamsbridge Rd suite 3b
Bronx, NY 10461
(212) 514-5007
(917) 905-2339
Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers – Brooklyn Office
32 Court St #704
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(212) 514-5007
(917) 920-7332
