What Is In My New York Accident Report?

Your official Report of Motor Vehicle Accident in New York is one of the most critical pieces of evidence you should obtain after being involved in a crash. This two-page document will be filled out by an officer at the scene of your crash and contains all essential details regarding the incident. Your insurance company will use the information presented in this report when determining your settlement and adjusting your rates in the future.

Understanding Your Report of Motor Vehicle Accident in New York

While this type of information may be easy to comprehend for those who see it every day, it may be challenging to make sense of for the ordinary driver. That is why we have broken down each individual section to help you read your official crash report and better understand the complex claims process.

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The Six Sections of a New York Accident Report

The official Report of Traffic Accident in New York contains the following six sections:

Part One: Driver

In the first section, the investigating officer will take down the most basic information about the crash and the drivers involved. They will record the precise date and time of the rash, along with the number of injuries or deaths suffered as a result, if applicable.

The officer will also include the driver’s license information for all drivers involved in the crash, including:

Full name.
License issuing state.
License ID Number.
Address.
Date of birth.
Gender
The number of occupants in the vehicle.

Part Two: Registrant

In this section, the officer will list vehicle registration information. This includes the name and contact information of the owners of all vehicles involved in the crash. The officer will also record more specific details about the vehicles, including the make, model, year, and license plate number.

Part Three: Vehicle Damage

Here, the officer will assess and note any vehicle damages sustained due to the crash. They will first provide an estimated cost of the damages. They will then give a detailed description of the damage and a diagram of any impact points.

Part Four: Accident Location

The fourth section of your accident report is where the investigator will record the precise location where the accident took place. They will include specific details, including the county, city, and street name. The officer will also make a note of any nearby permanent landmarks.

Another key element of the report, the narrative, is included in this section. This is where the officer will provide their assessment of the sequence of events leading up to the crash and potentially establish fault. The insurance adjuster assigned to your claim will likely take the officer’s opinion into significant consideration, which is why it is essential to contact the police to file an official accident report.

Part Five: All Involved

In this section, the officer will list the personal details of every individual involved in the crash. This includes the person’s name, age, sex, which vehicle they occupied, their position in the vehicle, If they were wearing a safety device, and a description of their injuries.

If any persons involved in the crash suffered fatal injuries, the officer would also take down that information in this section.

Part Six: Insurance

In the final section, the reporting officer will list all insurance policy information for the vehicles involved in the crash, including:

Vehicle identification numbers
Name of the insurance company for both vehicles
Policy numbers
Name and address of the policyholders
State permit number and the name and address of permit holder (if applicable)

Common Questions About the New York Accident Report

Can I file my own accident report?

You are able to file your own crash report with the local law enforcement agency where the crash took place. However, it is important to know the insurance company will give greater weight to a report completed by an objective law enforcement officer.

How will the insurance company use my report?

Should you decide to file a claim with your insurance company, your crash report is one of the first documents they will request. The adjuster assigned to your case will use the report to determine the extent of any injuries or damages and who was at fault. The adjuster will determine the amount you receive in compensation and adjust your insurance rates accordingly.

What if I do not have insurance?

There are significant penalties for driving uninsured in New York. You could face fines of up to $1,500 if you are found driving without insurance or if someone else is driving your uninsured vehicle. The court also has the ability to impound your vehicle, revoke your driver’s license, and even imprison you for up to 15 days.

Without insurance, you could also be held personally liable for any damages or injuries suffered as the result of the accident.

How much does a crash report cost?

Obtaining your crash report through the New York Department of Motor Vehicles costs $22. However, this process may take a significant amount of your valuable time by requiring you to wait in long lines and fill out paperwork

Now, you can request a completely FREE copy of your Report of Motor Vehicle Accident in New York from the comfort of your home. Simply provide a few basic details about your crash, and we will do the rest!

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Get Your Official Report of Motor Vehicle Accident in New York

Don’t let unnecessary fees keep you from obtaining legal information that is rightfully yours. Simply provide a few details about your crash, and we will recover your accident report without ever asking for payment!

We were founded on a mission to assist people who were involved in car wrecks in New York by providing giving them access to the resources they need. By providing free crash reports, helpful advice, and connection to legal and medical resources, we hope you can put your accident behind you once and for all.