Knowing what to do after a car accident can feel overwhelming, especially if it happened in a congested area of NYC and you feel stressed and rushed. But one of your highest priorities after an accident should be calling the police and requesting a police report.
Police reports play several roles after a car accident. Learn the importance of car accident police reports, then schedule a consultation with a New York car accident lawyer for legal assistance with your accident case.
The Importance of Police Reports in Accident Cases
Police reports are important for New York car accident claims and the compensation process as a whole. They also play a larger role in contributing to the city’s accident data, helping officials identify trends that inform accident prevention measures. Explore the importance of seeking a police report after a car accident below.
Avoid Legal and Financial Consequences
In New York, you are legally required to report a car accident that involves any of the following:
- Injury
- Death
- At least $1,000 worth of damage
You can do this by calling the police and having an officer come to the accident scene. You must also file Form MV-104 with the DMV within 10 days of the accident.
Neglecting to report an accident causing at least $1,000 in property damage could lead to license suspension. Worse, fleeing an accident scene involving injuries or damages without providing aid and leaving your contact information can lead to Class A misdemeanor charges. If you are unsure how to properly report an accident and avoid these consequences, a New York car accident lawyer can assist you.
Contribute to City-Wide Data About Car Accidents
One reason filing a police report after a car accident is important is to help the city keep track of accident frequencies. The City of New York updates a Motor Vehicle Collisions crash table daily. In early 2026, the table had data about more than 2.26 million motor vehicle collisions dating back to April 28, 2014.
Police reports include important details about accidents, such as:
- The information for all drivers involved in the accident
- The vehicle information for all vehicles involved
- The contact details of any witnesses
- A diagram of the roadway and vehicle positions
- The officer’s observations of the scene
- Contributing factor codes assigned by the officer, such as distracted driving, failure to yield right-of-way, or unsafe speed
- Violation codes if the officer issued a traffic summons to any driver
- A written narrative from the officer sharing their understanding of what happened
Tracking all of this data provides valuable information to help understand accident causes.
Streamline the Insurance Claim Process
Insurance adjusters rely on police reports when processing auto accident claims. New York is a no-fault accident state, which means drivers involved in an accident generally file claims through their own insurance companies even if another driver was technically at fault.
When you call your insurer after an accident, they may ask for the police report as one of the first steps in processing your claim. Accident reports support insurance claims by providing key facts about the accident to help insurers determine how much to pay out based on your coverage.
Even under New York car accident laws regarding no-fault accident claims, insurers still need to know who was technically at fault for the accident. If injuries meet the state’s serious injury threshold, the not-at-fault party may have the right to seek additional damages from the at-fault driver or their insurer. The details in the police report can help support fault determinations.
Provide Evidence To Support a Car Accident Case
Using police reports as evidence in car accident cases is also generally a good idea. If your accident case meets the serious injury threshold and your New York car accident lawyer advises you to pursue legal action, you can use the police report to support:
- How the accident happened
- The severity of damage to your vehicle
- The at-fault driver’s violation of traffic laws
- A reconstructed visual of the accident to understand who was at fault
You can also use the information in the report to contact witnesses who may be able to testify in your accident case.
Police reports do not automatically prove fault in accident cases, and they can contain inaccurate assumptions. Your car accident lawyer in New York can help you evaluate the police report and determine how it might support your accident case.
Consult an Auto Accident Lawyer in New York
Requesting a police report is just one step in gathering evidence for your car accident case. An injury lawyer in New York can help you navigate the compensation process and avoid missing any essential steps.
Elliot Ifraimoff & Associates, PC, represents car accident victims across NYC. Review our guide to choosing the right New York car accident lawyer, then schedule a free consultation by calling 718-205-1010.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to fill out an MV-104 after an accident, even if the police came to the scene?
Yes, you are required to fill out an MV-104 and file it with the DMV within 10 days of the accident, even if the police responded to the scene and created their own report. The MV-104 acts as a self-report and is required after accidents involving injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000. You must fill out all boxes on the form. If you are concerned about being found liable for the accident, consult a New York car accident lawyer before filling out this form.
What should you do immediately after a car accident?
After a car accident, it is generally a good idea to call 911 and request an officer to come to the scene. Seek medical attention even if you feel okay to uncover any underlying injuries, then consult an attorney for legal guidance.
How often do car accidents happen in New York?
More than 300,000 traffic crashes happen across New York State each year, averaging around 820 a day, according to the New York DMV.