January 4, 2021
How To Access Motor Vehicle Crash Information in New York City
By Jonathan Damashek
Posted in
After a crash in New York City, you will need to collect as much evidence as possible to support your insurance claim. However, some of that information is difficult to obtain. Read below to learn more about how to access motor vehicle crash information.
The experienced team of NYC car accident lawyers at Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C, can help you manage your claim while you focus on recovering. Don’t deal with the stress alone.
Call us today at (212) 490-5700 or use our online contact form.
How To Get Your Motor Vehicle Crash Report
In New York, you are required to file an accident report if you are involved in any crash where there is more than $1,000 in property damage. You have 10 days to file a report, which can be done on the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website.
However, you should always call the police after a crash, and the officer who responds will likely complete a report for you. The report completed by the police officer is one of the most important documents you will use to support your claim.
In New York, you can obtain a copy of your accident report from the DMV online. The report will have information about all parties involved in the accident, the crash’s date and time, a description of any damage caused, and where it occurred. There is a section to make a diagram of the accident. The police officer or whoever completes the report should carefully describe all aspects of the crash to help with your insurance claim.
New York City Motor Vehicle Collision Statistics
If you want to know more about New York City collisions, you can find that information on the New York Police Department website. New statistics are released monthly.
As of November 2020, the most recent statistics available were 8,894 collisions in New York City. Of those, 3,029 resulted in injuries or fatalities. Most of those were passenger vehicles, with SUVs making up the majority of vehicle styles.
The number one cause of accidents in New York City is distracted driving or driver inattention, with 2,569 accidents attributed to this cause. The next most common reason was following too closely, which amounted to only 683 accidents. Other common causes of car accidents included failure to yield right of way (603), passing or lane usage improper (360), unsafe speed (327), and passing too closely (321).
While distracted driving was the most common cause, some specific distractions did not commonly cause wrecks. For example, using an onboard navigation device was the cause of only one accident.
Contact an Attorney To Help You Get All The Information You Need
It can be challenging to obtain all the supporting information you need for your claim. A personal injury attorney can help.
Call our team at Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C. at (212) 490-5700 or use our online contact form to reach out.