Craig D. Rosenbaum | April 2, 2026 | Car Accidents
A car accident can leave more than just physical damage—it can also affect your driving record, insurance rates, and even your legal standing. If you’ve recently been involved in a crash in New York, you may be wondering: how long does a car accident stay on your record?
The answer depends on several factors, including the severity of the incident and whether traffic violations were involved.
Understanding Your Driving Record in New York
In New York, your driving record is maintained by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This record tracks traffic violations, accidents, license status, and other driving-related information. Insurance companies, employers, and law enforcement may access certain parts of your record, making it important to understand how long negative marks can linger.
How Long Do Accidents Stay on Your Record?
In general, a car accident will remain on your New York driving record for the remainder of the calendar year of the accident, plus three additional years from the date of the incident. This timeframe applies to most accidents, especially those involving property damage or minor injuries.
However, there are important distinctions:
- DMV record retention: While accidents typically remain visible for three years for most purposes, the DMV may keep records for longer periods internally.
- Insurance impact: Insurance companies often consider accidents for three to five years when determining your premiums. Even if the DMV no longer highlights the accident, your insurer may still factor it into your rates.
Understanding how long an accident stays on your record can help you anticipate its impact on your driving history and insurance costs, allowing you to take proactive steps to maintain a clean record moving forward.
What If You Received a Traffic Ticket?
If your accident involved a traffic violation—such as speeding, reckless driving, or failure to yield—the consequences can last longer. In New York, traffic violations are assigned points, which remain on your record for 24 months for point calculation purposes. However, the conviction itself can stay on your record for a longer period.
Do All Accidents Affect Your Record the Same Way?
Not necessarily. The impact of an accident depends on factors such as fault and severity.
Some of the factors are:
- At-fault accidents: If you are found responsible for the crash, it is more likely to affect your insurance premiums and remain a concern for insurers during the review period.
- Not-at-fault accidents: Even if you were not at fault, the accident may still appear on your driving record. However, it typically has less impact on your insurance rates.
- Serious accidents: Crashes involving injuries, fatalities, or significant property damage may be scrutinized more closely and could have longer-lasting legal and financial consequences.
Ultimately, the specific circumstances of your accident—particularly fault and severity—play a key role in determining how it affects your record, insurance rates, and overall financial exposure.
Can You Remove an Accident from Your Record?
Unlike certain traffic violations, accidents themselves typically cannot be removed from your driving record. However, you may have options to mitigate the impact:
Some potential options include:
- Defensive Driving Courses: Completing a state-approved course may reduce points on your license and lower your insurance premiums.
- Challenging Traffic Tickets: If you believe a citation was issued in error, contesting it in court may prevent points from being added to your record.
- Safe Driving Over Time: Maintaining a clean driving record after an accident is one of the most effective ways to improve your standing with insurers.
While you may not be able to erase an accident from your record, taking proactive steps can help minimize its impact and improve your driving and insurance standing over time.
Contact a New York City Car Accident Lawyer at Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been involved in a crash and have questions about how it may affect your record, insurance, or legal rights, it’s important to get experienced guidance. At Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers, our team understands how New York accident laws impact your future—and we’re here to help you navigate every step.
For more information, please contact Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We have three convenient locations around Manhattan, NY, near you in New York City, The Bronx, and Brooklyn.
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
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