Does a Police Report Automatically Go To Insurance?

If you’ve been in a car accident, it’s important to know that the police report may contain information that can be used to support your insurance claim. Your attorney can use the official police accident report to build your claim and prove that you’re owed compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and other losses.

The police report is an important part of your case, but how do you get a hold of it? You might assume that the police report automatically goes to your insurance company once it’s filed, but that’s not the case. Fortunately, Morelli Law’s car accident lawyers are here to set the record straight and provide the information you need to recover an insurance payment.

What Is a Police Accident Report?

According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), when a car accident results in injury or death, the police must be notified. However, even if you aren’t injured after a collision, it can still be helpful to notify local law enforcement. Once you’ve called 911, the police will arrive at the scene of the crash and conduct an investigation.

Officers will ask you and the other driver(s) involved about what happened and file a report detailing the incident. The report will contain a wealth of information that will make it much easier for your attorney to secure the compensation you deserve, such as:

• Date, time, and location of the collision
• Names and contact information of the drivers involved
• Statements from all parties involved
• Visual representation of the accident
• Information on the citations issued 
• Description of vehicle damage
• Information regarding eyewitnesses
• Weather and road conditions during the time of the crash

As you can see, the police report has a great deal of information that can be used to your advantage after a car accident. Passing that information to your insurance company and your attorney can make a difference in your claim. Let’s learn how to retrieve the official police report once it’s been filed.

How to Access the Police Report After an Accident

Since the insurance company doesn’t automatically receive a copy of the police report after an accident, you’ll have to look up your accident report online. To do so, visit the New York Police Department’s Collision Report Retrieval Portal. It’s important to note that your report may take up to seven days to be accessible online.

Once your accident report is available on the NYPD’s portal, all you have to do is enter your license plate number, the date of your accident, and a few other details to gain access to the report. Once your report is made available, you’ll want to retrieve it ASAP, as it will only stay in the NYPD’s computer system for 30 days.

Once the 30 days have passed, you’ll still be able to access the report, but you’ll have to pay for it. To get a copy, you’ll need to file an MV-198C with the New York State DMV and pay $25. Once you’ve obtained the official police report, you’ll be able to pass it on to your attorney, who can handle the rest of your case from there.

Be Careful About Going to Your Insurance Company With the Police Report After a Crash

Since New York is a no-fault state where car accident victims seek compensation from their insurance companies, some people believe that their insurance company is on their side. Unfortunately, this isn’t true, as insurers are always looking for ways to discredit legitimate claims and pay as little as possible to honest claimants.

That’s why you’ll want to be careful about going to your insurance company with a copy of the police report right after the collision. When you get in touch with your insurer, they may ask you questions about the collision dn try to get you to say something that hurts your claim. 

Instead of automatically going to your insurance provider after a collision, reach out to an attorney. They’ll be able to communicate with insurers in a way that doesn’t jeopardize your claim. Once your lawyer has brought a claim and copy of the police report to the insurance company, they’ll negotiate with adjusters to reach a settlement that works for you. 

Don’t Wait to Contact a Lawyer and Report Your Accident to the Insurance Company

If you’ve been in an accident, you’ll want to get in touch with an attorney and get started on your case as soon as possible. Doing so will allow you to report your accident to the insurance company soon, which may help your case.

While no New York laws say that you must notify your insurer about accidents in a certain period, your contract with the insurance provider may require you to report your accident quickly. In addition to satisfying insurance requirements, taking swift action after a crash can also ensure that you meet important state filing deadlines.

New York’s Filing Deadline for Car Accident Lawsuits

While it’s important to use the police report to file a car accident claim, it’s also wise to plan for a car accident lawsuit. If your insurance claim is unsuccessful, your only other option will be to file a civil suit. If you’re advised to file a lawsuit, you must do so within a certain time frame.

According to CPLR § 214, you have three years from the date of your collision to hire an attorney, retrieve the police report, and submit a lawsuit. If you fail to take legal action before the deadline, you could risk losing the compensation you need to treat your injuries and recover financial losses. 

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Lawyer Today

Taking the steps you need to take after a car accident can be difficult, especially if you’re suffering from painful injuries and emotional distress caused by the crash. Luckily, the attorneys at Morelli Law are here to help you take the actions required to get the insurance payment or court verdict you need to get back on your feet.

A lawyer from our team can investigate your accident, construct a strong claim, bring a copy of the police report to the insurance company, and negotiate a settlement that meets your needs. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help you recover from your collision.