A police report can be an important piece of evidence for a car accident claim in New York. Although many New York auto accident cases don’t require victims to prove fault under the state’s no-fault insurance rule, if someone is severely injured and wishes to file a lawsuit, fault or negligence must be proven using evidence. Getting a copy of your crash report can help you prove your case.
How to Get a Copy of Your Car Accident Report in Queens, NY
If you were involved in an automobile accident in Queens and need to obtain a copy of your police report for the insurance claims process or other reasons, you can use the New York Police Department’s (NYPD’s) Collision Report Retrieval Portal.
Enter key details about the accident, such as the date, the borough where the accident occurred, your driver’s license number, license plate number and date of birth. It may take up to seven business days from the date of the accident for your report to be accessible online through the portal.
Visit the Precinct in Person
You can also visit the NYPD precinct station in the borough where the accident was reported within 30 days. Bring your ID and the police accident report number to request a copy. You can also provide key details about the collision to bring up the correct report if you don’t have the number.
Mail in a Police Report Request
Finally, you can request a police report through the mail by completing Form PD301-165 and sending it to the NYPD, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope and a photocopy of your current picture ID. The mail-in address is New York City Police Department Highway District, Collision Investigation Squad, 198-15 Grand Central Parkway Hollis, Queens, N.Y. 11423.
Go Through the DMV After 30 Days
If you are attempting to get a copy of your police accident report after more than 30 days have passed from the accident, you can order it from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Car accident reports are transferred from the NYPD to the DMV after the 30-day mark. You can order a copy online through the DMV Crash Reports Portal or fill out Form MV-198C and mail it in to the DMV.
Key Information Found on a Car Accident Report
When the police arrive at a crash scene in Queens, they will conduct interviews with all parties involved. They will collect statements and write descriptions of relevant details.
Information typically found on a police report includes:
- The names and contact information of everyone involved
- All drivers’ insurance information
- Descriptions of the vehicles involved
- Descriptions of property damage and bodily injuries
- Any citations issued to either driver for legal violations
- A diagram illustrating the positions of the vehicles involved
- Witness statements
- Environmental and roadway conditions
- Official crash scene photographs
While the police report will not provide a definitive answer as to which driver is at fault, it may contain the officer’s opinion regarding the cause of the crash. The details on the report can be used by expert crash reconstructionists to piece together how and why the accident occurred.
Get Help With Your Car Accident Case in Queens
It is recommended that anyone involved in a car accident in Queens report the crash to the police, even if the collision is minor. A car accident report contains objective, unbiased evidence for an insurance claim or car accident lawsuit. If you need help obtaining a copy of your police report in Queens or gathering additional evidence for your car accident claim, contact an accident attorney in Forest Hills at Abaev Law Firm, PLLC.