How to Retrieve an Accident Report in NY
If you’ve been injured in a traffic accident that was caused by another driver’s negligence, obtaining the compensation to which you are entitled will hinge on the available evidence, and an important part of this is the accident report. Bringing a successful car accident claim is legally complex, and working closely with an experienced New York car accident attorney is always to your advantage.
Accident Reports in New York
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) states that motorists are required to file accident reports within ten days following any accident that involves total property damage of at least $1,000, which is the vast majority of accidents. These reports – along with the police reports for those accidents in which the authorities were called – are generally retained by the DMV for four years from the date of the accident. These crash reports take from 14 to 60 days to show up in the DMV’s system.
Ordering Online
The certified accident reports you order include an attestation and are signed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. You can search, buy, and download your certified crash accident report online. The cost includes a $7 search fee and a $15 fee per report, and each transaction generates a confirmation email.
Free Search
Doing a free search prior to your paid search ensures that the report you’re looking for is there before a fee is attached. To do so, navigate to the List Reports on File by Date, which will list all the accident reports for the New York county and the date you indicate. At this point, you can search for the reports you need by license plate number.
Paid Search
If the reports you’re looking for are in the system, it’s time to perform a paid search, and you have the following three options:
- Searching by the plate number of one of the cars involved
- Searching by the driver’s license number of one of the motorists involved
- Searching by the DMV Accident Case Number
Accessing the Report
Once you locate the report or reports you need, it’s time to order them, and you’ll use one of those reference numbers listed above to do so. You’ll be charged $15 per report, which means – for example – if you order the police report and both motorist reports, the total charge will be $45 plus the $7 search fee.
After making your purchase, the accident reports will be available to download immediately in PDF form. It’s important to note here that you’ll have only seven days to access the reports after you’ve purchased them, and once this date passes, you’ll need to repurchase, which can be accomplished by providing the original email address you used or by providing the Report Confirmation Number generated by the purchase.
Discuss Your Case with an Experienced New York Car Accident Attorney Today
The formidable New York car accident attorneys at Steve Foley Law Firm harness the full force of our impressive experience and skill for every client we represent, and we welcome the opportunity to also help you. Learn more by contacting us online or calling us at 716-575-3236 today.