How to Get a Crash Report in New York

The NY Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)^[1] maintains crash reports for the entire state and offers an online crash report sales portal^[1] where you can search for and purchase reports. To use the online portal, you need a NY.gov ID account^[1]. The portal charges a $7.00 search fee and a $15.00 report fee for each report, totaling $22.00^[1]. Reports are available for download within the portal for 7 days after purchase^[1].

For crashes within New York City, the NYPD maintains its own collision report system. You can request NYPD collision reports through the NYPD Collision Report Portal^[2] at collisionreport.nypdonline.org. This may be faster than going through the state DMV for NYC crashes.

You can also request crash reports by mail using form MV-198C (Request for Copy of Crash/Accident Report)^[1]. Mail the completed form with payment to the NY DMV^[8]. The mail search fee is $10.00 plus $15.00 per report, totaling $25.00^[1]. For crashes investigated by the NY State Police^[3], you can request a copy directly from the State Police by contacting the troop that investigated the crash or visiting troopers.ny.gov^[3].

For the NY DMV online portal^[1], you will need a NY.gov ID account (free to create)^[1]. You will search for the report using the date of the crash, the county where it occurred, and the names of the parties involved^[1]. If you have the police report or case number, include it to narrow your search.

The total online cost is $22.00 per report ($7.00 search fee + $15.00 report fee)^[1]. The search fee is charged regardless of whether a matching report is found^[1]. Payment is made by credit or debit card through the online portal.

For mail requests, complete form MV-198C^[1] and include payment of $25.00 ($10.00 search fee + $15.00 report fee) by check or money order payable to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles^[1]. Mail to: NYS DMV, Crash Reports Unit, 6 Empire State Plaza, Room 336, Albany, NY 12228^[1]. Include your return address and contact information.

Note that crash reports where no one was injured and property damage was $1,000 or less^[4] are not available through the DMV online portal, as these crashes do not meet the mandatory reporting threshold^[4].

New York crash reports follow the standardized MV-104 format^[4]. The report includes the date, time, and location of the crash, descriptions of all vehicles involved, and detailed information about drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Insurance information for all parties is documented, along with vehicle damage descriptions.

The police narrative describes the officer's account of the crash based on the investigation, physical evidence, and statements from involved parties and witnesses. Contributing factors are documented using standardized codes. The report may also include a diagram showing vehicle positions and the point of impact.

New York is a no-fault state^[7], which means your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance covers your medical expenses and a portion of lost wages regardless of who caused the crash^[7]. However, if your injuries meet the serious injury threshold defined under New York Insurance Law Section 5102(d)^[5], you can step outside the no-fault system and sue the at-fault driver. The crash report is key evidence in establishing whether you have a valid claim beyond no-fault benefits.

New York crash reports typically become available through the DMV portal^[1] within 2 to 4 weeks after the crash. The investigating officer must complete the MV-104 form^[4] and submit it, and then the DMV must process and enter it into their system.

For NYPD collision reports, processing times vary but are generally available within 1 to 2 weeks through the NYPD online portal^[2]. Simple crashes are processed faster, while crashes involving injuries or complex investigations take longer.

NY State Police^[3] reports can be requested directly from the investigating troop. Processing time is typically 1 to 3 weeks. For crashes involving serious injury or fatality, the investigation may extend the timeline significantly, potentially to several months.

Once you purchase a report through the NY DMV online portal^[1], you have 7 days to download it^[1]. After that window closes, you would need to purchase it again. Save and print your report immediately after downloading.

File your MV-104 on time. New York law requires you to file a Report of Motor Vehicle Accident (MV-104)^[4] with the DMV within 10 days^[4] of the crash if anyone was injured, killed, or if property damage exceeded $1,000^[4]. Failure to file can result in a driver's license suspension^[4] that remains in effect until you comply and pay reinstatement fees.

Create your NY.gov ID in advance. The online portal^[1] requires a NY.gov ID account. Setting this up before you need it saves time. The portal also requires you to set up shared security questions during your first visit.

Check the NYPD portal for NYC crashes. If your crash occurred in any of the five boroughs, the NYPD Collision Report Portal^[2] may provide your report faster than the state DMV portal. You can try both systems to see which has your report available sooner.

Understand the no-fault system. While New York's no-fault system^[7] covers your basic medical expenses through PIP, you must file your no-fault application within 30 days^[7] of the crash. Do not wait for the crash report to file your no-fault claim -- submit it immediately and provide the crash report later as supplementary documentation.

In New York's no-fault system^[7], your crash report is important for your PIP insurance claim, which covers medical expenses and lost wages^[7]. Your insurer uses the report to verify the crash details and process your benefits. While no-fault claims do not depend on who was at fault, the report documents the circumstances that your insurer will review.

If your injuries are serious enough to meet the serious injury threshold under New York Insurance Law Section 5102(d)^[5], the crash report becomes critical evidence for a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. New York has a 3-year statute of limitations^[6] for personal injury claims. The crash report provides the police officer's findings, witness information, and contributing factors that form the foundation of your case.

For property damage claims, New York also provides a 3-year statute of limitations^[6]. The crash report documents the nature of the collision and the vehicles involved, supporting your claim for repair costs, rental car expenses, and diminished value. Keep the crash report with your other accident documentation, including photos, repair estimates, and medical records.