How to Get an Accident Report in NYC

Michele Mirman | Car Accident | March 6, 2020

Traffic collision report
Traffic collision report

If you are involved in a car crash in New York City, you may need to pull your accident report to submit to your insurance company or to file suit against the other party. Fortunately, this process is relatively straightforward. You can get the documentation you need from either the NYPD or the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles.

How to Get an Accident Report from the NYPD

You can retrieve your collision report from the NYPD by walking into a precinct or by working through their online system. Both methods are free of charge, so your choice will likely depend almost entirely on which option is more convenient for you.

Obtaining an Accident Report at an NYPD Precinct

If you would like to get your accident report from your local NYPD precinct, all you need to do is walk in and provide the on-duty clerk with the Incident Report that you were given at the scene of the accident. They should be able to pull your report fairly quickly.

If you have lost your Incident Report or were never issued one, you can still retrieve your accident report at your local precinct. You will just need to provide the clerk with information that they can use to find the report in the system. Such information might include:

  • Your full name
  • The date your accident occurred
  • Your license plate number
  • Your driver’s license number
  • The location of your accident

Once you provide the clerk with these details, they should be able to get you your report in a matter of minutes.

Obtaining an Accident Report Through the NYPD Online System

The NYPD’s online system is the best place to retrieve your accident report if you do not want to spend time visiting a precinct. To get started, simply open up your computer and visit collisionreport.nypdonline.org. You will then be asked to provide information that the system can use to locate your report, such as:

  • The date your accident occurred
  • The borough in which your accident occurred
  • Your driver’s license number
  • Your date of birth
  • Your license plate number

Once you finish working your way through the system, you will receive a copy of your collision report that you can print off as needed.

How to Get an Accident Report from the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles

If you do not live near an NYPD precinct or want to use their online system, you can opt to retrieve your accident report from the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles. The DMV allows you to request a report by mail and online. However, you should be aware that you will be charged a small fee for both options.

Obtaining an Accident Report from the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles By Mail

To request your accident report from the NY DMV through the mail, you will need to complete Form MV-198C. This document asks you to provide as much information as you can about your accident. The more details you can provide, the easier it will be for the clerk who receives your request to get you your report.

Once you have filled out Form MV-198C, slide it into an envelope, along with the appropriate fee ($10 search fee + $15 report fee), and mail it to:

NYSDMV, 
MV-198C Processing, 
6 Empire State Plaza, 
Albany NY 12228

Processing times for collision reports requested by mail can vary. However, most requestors receive their desired documents from the Department of Motor Vehicles within a couple of weeks.

Obtaining an Accident Report from the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles Online

If you would prefer to avoid waiting to receive your collision report by mail, you may wish to request it online instead. You can do this by visiting the DMV website and completing the appropriate form. 

To complete this form, you will need to have the license plate number of one of the vehicles that was involved in the accident or the 8-digit DMV case number that is included in your Incident Report. You cannot request your accident report through the DMV’s online system without one of these pieces of information.

When you work your way through the DMV’s online form, you will be asked to submit payment ($7 search fee + $15 report fee). This payment must be completed using a credit card or debit card.

Once your payment has been accepted, you will be granted access to your collision report immediately. You can then download it, save it to your computer, and print it off whenever you may need it.