Do I Have to Report a Car Accident in New York?

New York state law requires that you report your accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 10 days if you’re involved in a crash that causes more than $1000 of damage or any injuries.

A police report is separate from the DMV report and may also be required after a car accident.

If you were hurt in a wreck that wasn’t your fault, a New York car accident lawyer may be able to help you get compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more.

Mandatory Reporting Laws in New York

At Morelli Law Firm, our lawyers want to make sure you fully understand New York’s mandatory reporting requirements.

It’s important to note that:

• The DMV report is separate from a police report
• You may need to file both a DMV report and a police report after an accident
• A police report contains more information than a DMV report
• While a DMV report is legally required even in some situations where a police report is not mandatory, both reports provide important evidence if you’re looking to pursue compensation from the other driver’s insurance company

Consequences of Not Reporting an Accident

One thing you should know about us at Morelli Law Firm is that we’re passionate about informing our clients of all their possible options.

In this case, we want you to be well-informed about the consequences of failing to report an accident to the DMV.

Potential consequences of failing to report a crash include having your driver’s license suspended, paying fines, struggling to get auto insurance in the future, and other potentially serious problems.

License Suspension or Revocation

Failing to report an accident to the DMV may lead to having your driver’s license suspended or even revoked until you finally file the accident report.

Legal Penalties

Depending on the severity of the accident, failing to report a crash can result in legal penalties ranging from fines to criminal charges to jail time.

Insurance Claims

Your insurance company may refuse to cover damages from the accident if you don’t properly report it, and you may also struggle to get affordable car insurance in the future.

Struggle to Get Compensation

Without reporting the accident to the DMV, it can be much more difficult to get compensation for your injuries and vehicle damage.

That report provides critical evidence to prove that an accident occurred and that you suffered damages as a result of the crash.

When to Report a Car Accident in New York

There are three main instances in which you must report a car accident in New York: if anybody was injured or killed in the accident, if there was more than $1,000 of property damage, or if the other driver fled the scene of the crash.

Accidents Involving Injuries or Deaths

If anybody was injured in a crash, you must file an accident report with the DMV and you should definitely also have the police come and write their own report.

The DMV doesn’t decide which driver is at fault, which is why you should contact the police and have them do their own report.

Accidents Involving Significant Property Damage

Any accident that causes more than $1000 in property damage must be reported to the DMV and should be reported to the police.

Hit-and-Run Accidents

Fleeing the scene of an accident is a crime, so if the other driver pulls a hit-and-run on you, it’s extremely important for you to report the accident to both the DMV and the police to prove that you did not flee like the other driver.

Why You Should Hire a New York Car Accident Attorney

If you’ve been injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, a New York car accident attorney from Morelli Law Firm may be able to help you get the most money for your medical bills, lost wages, and more.

Here’s how we can help. We:

• Collect evidence, including the DMV report and the police report
• Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf
• Take your case to trial if your injuries were serious enough to max out your $50,000 PIP protection
• Make sure you know all your rights and file all the paperwork on time

How Much Does a New York Car Crash Lawyer Cost?

At Morelli Law Firm, we know you may already be struggling with medical bills, lost wages, and more, and we don’t want to add to your financial stress.

We work on contingency fees, meaning we take a percentage of the money we get for you and nothing until then.

With no fees until we win, schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a New York Car Accident Lawyer

Whether or not you have already reported your crash, you should contact a New York car accident lawyer from Morelli Law Firm if you were injured in a wreck that wasn’t your fault.

Our experienced attorneys have recovered over $1 billion for our clients, and we have over 40 years of combined experience.

Schedule a free consultation today.