After Your Accident
How to Get Your NYPD Accident Report
A complete guide to requesting, reading, and using your police accident report in New York City.
Why the Police Report Matters
After a car accident in New York City, the NYPD accident report — officially called the MV-104A — is one of the most important documents you will need. Insurance companies, attorneys, and courts all rely on it as the official record of what happened.
The report contains the officer's narrative of the accident, a diagram of the vehicles' positions, the names and insurance information of all parties, any violations issued, and the officer's assessment of contributing factors. This information can establish fault, support your injury claim, and prove that the accident occurred on the date and at the location you describe.
Under New York's no-fault insurance system, the report triggers your right to file a no-fault claim with your own insurer. If your injuries meet the serious injury threshold under NY Insurance Law § 5102(d), the report becomes a foundation for a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
Important deadline: No-fault benefits must be claimed within 30 days of the accident. Personal injury lawsuits must generally be filed within 3 years. Certain claims against city or government vehicles require a Notice of Claim within 90 days.
How to Get Your Report — Step by Step
Note the Responding Precinct
When police respond to your accident, note the precinct number and the officer's name and shield number. This information may appear on any paperwork you receive at the scene, or you can ask the officer directly.
Wait 14–30 Days
NYPD accident reports are typically processed and available 14 to 30 days after the incident. Attempting to retrieve it sooner will often result in the report not yet being in the system.
Request the Report
You have three options: (1) Visit the responding precinct in person with a valid photo ID and request the report at the front desk — parties to the accident can often obtain a copy at no cost. (2) Submit a written records request via the NYPD Records Access Officer. (3) Obtain a certified copy through the NYS DMV records portal for a fee.
Review It Carefully
Once you have the report, review it for errors — incorrect names, plate numbers, insurance information, or inaccurate officer narratives. Errors can hurt your claim and should be corrected promptly by returning to the precinct.
Share It with Your Attorney
The accident report is one of the first documents an attorney will request. Share it as soon as you have it — along with any photos, medical records, and insurance correspondence.
Three Ways to Get the Report
Choose the method that works best for your situation.
In Person at the Precinct
Visit the NYPD precinct that responded to your accident. Bring a valid photo ID. If you were a driver, passenger, or injured pedestrian in the accident, you are generally entitled to a free copy. Reports are available approximately 14–30 days after the accident.
Find your precinct at nyc.gov/nypd or call 311.
NYS DMV Records Portal
The New York State DMV maintains accident records and offers certified copies through its online records request system. Certified copies are often required for insurance claims or legal proceedings. Fees typically range from $10–$15.
Visit dmv.ny.gov and search for "accident report request."
Through Your Attorney
If you have retained a personal injury attorney, they will obtain the report on your behalf as part of their representation — typically at no additional cost to you. Attorneys also know how to interpret and challenge the report if it contains errors.
InjuryCaseHub can connect you with an attorney same-day.
What's in the Report
The NYPD MV-104A report includes the following information:
NYC Open Data — NYPD Crash Database
The NYPD reports all motor vehicle collisions involving injury, death, or property damage over $1,000 to the NYC Open Data portal. The dataset — called Motor Vehicle Collisions – Crashes — contains records going back to 2012 and is updated regularly.
You can search the database by date, zip code, street name, or borough. While it does not contain the full narrative of your report, it can confirm your accident is on record and provide the case number you may need when requesting the full report from the precinct.
Search the NYC Crash Database →Don't Forget: File Your Own MV-104
The NYPD report is filed by the officer — but New York law also requires drivers to file a separate report with the NYS DMV if the accident involved:
- Any injury or death
- Property damage exceeding $1,000 to any one person's property
This is the MV-104 Driver's Motor Vehicle Accident Report, and it must be filed within 10 days of the accident. Failure to file can result in suspension of your driver's license. The form is available at any DMV office or as a PDF download from the NYS DMV website.
Download the MV-104 Form (PDF) →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NYPD accident report the same as my insurance report?
No. The NYPD report is filed by the responding officer and becomes a public record. Your insurance report is a separate document filed by you with your insurer. Both are important, but the NYPD report carries more weight in legal proceedings because it is created by an independent third party.
Do I also need to file my own report with the DMV?
In New York, drivers involved in an accident resulting in injury or property damage exceeding $1,000 must file a Driver's Motor Vehicle Accident Report (MV-104) with the NYS DMV within 10 days. Failure to file can result in suspension of your license. Download the MV-104 form from the NYS DMV website.
What if the police did not respond to my accident?
If no officer responded, there will be no NYPD report. However, you should still file the MV-104 with the DMV. You can also file a report at your local precinct after the fact, though these carry less evidentiary weight than one completed at the scene.
What if the report contains errors?
Return to the precinct that generated the report and speak with the desk officer or the officer who filed the report. Bring documentation supporting the correction (photos, witness statements, medical records). Errors in the report — like an incorrect determination of fault — can be formally disputed with your attorney's help.
Can I get the report if I don't have the precinct number?
Yes. You can identify the responding precinct by address using the NYPD precinct finder at nyc.gov. You can also search the NYC Open Data crash database, which contains crash records from NYPD filings, searchable by date, location, and ZIP code.
How much does the NYPD accident report cost?
Parties to the accident (drivers, passengers, injured pedestrians) can typically obtain a copy free of charge at the precinct. Third-party requests and certified copies through the DMV or records office may carry a fee, typically $10–$15.
Sources & References
- NYS DMV — MV-104 Driver Accident Report Form
- NYPD Motor Vehicle Collisions — NYC Open Data
- NY Insurance Law § 5102 — Serious Injury Definition
- NY Insurance Law § 5103 — No-Fault Benefits
- NYC Vision Zero — nyc.gov
External links are provided for informational purposes only. InjuryCaseHub does not control or endorse the content of external websites.
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