Do I Need a Police Report for a New York City Car Accident That Was Not My Fault?

Following a car accident in New York City, you might not see the benefit of calling the police. After all, do you really need a police report for a car accident that wasn’t your fault?

Being the victim of a car accident in New York City is precisely the reason you need a police report. These reports contain important information about an accident’s events that can help you recover damages in a lawsuit. Because you’ll need access to a police report to build a case, you must call the police after an accident. Depending on the specific precinct, you can then obtain your report online, in-person, or by mail. Having a police report is essential if a car accident in New York City was not your fault, as it can help you recover the compensation you deserve.

Our team can help you obtain a police report and use it to support your claim against a negligent driver. Call the New York City car accident lawyers at The Carrion Law Firm for a free case evaluation today at (718) 841-0083.

What Are Police Reports for New York City Car Accidents?

If you’ve never been in a car accident before, you may not understand why police reports are often involved. In New York City, police reports for car accidents contain important information that is invaluable to victims and their attorneys.

Police reports for car accidents in New York City are detailed reports of an accident’s events. They contain crucial information, like an accident’s cause and any eyewitness statements. Officers may also include their own opinions and any details related to the collision.

While you may know that these reports exist, you may be wondering who exactly they benefit? Should you call the police and get a crash report if you’re not at fault for an accident? The answer is yes.

How Do You Make a Police Report for a New York City Car Accident That Was Not Your Fault?

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in New York City caused by a negligent driver, you should definitely get a police report. Knowing how to do this is essential for car accident victims in New York City that are not at fault for a collision.

The only way to create a police report for a car accident that caused you injury in New York City is to call the police. While individuals with damage done to their car can file a report retroactively, injured victims must call the police.

If you don’t alert law enforcement, officers cannot complete a police report, which you need if an accident was not your fault. Remember, these reports can help a skilled Bronx car accident lawyer, like those at The Carrion Law Firm, build a case against a negligent driver in a lawsuit. Especially if you are not at fault for a car accident in New York City, you should call the police so they can create a crash report.

How to Obtain a Copy of a Police Report for a New York City Car Accident

If you were not at fault for a car accident in New York City, you need to know how to access your police report. Getting this report can be helpful, especially if you intend to sue the responsible party for compensatory damages.

In-Person

Car accident victims in New York City can usually access a copy of a police report by visiting the correct police department in person. New York City has many precincts, all with their own police departments. Finding the right one can be difficult but experienced Queens car accident lawyers, like the ones at The Carrion Law Firm, can help you.

Online

Increasingly, police departments are creating online platforms to house digital copies of crash reports for car accident victims in New York City. The Department of Motor Vehicles may also have a digital copy of your report if your local precinct doesn’t have an online platform. Digital copies of police reports for car accidents generally cost money, even for injured victims not at fault. That being said, going online can be the simplest and most convenient way for you to access a copy of a police report for a car accident in New York City.

By Mail

Often, victims in New York City can request a mailed copy of a police report. If you’re having difficulty submitting a request, an experienced Long Island personal injury lawyer, like those at The Carrion Law Firm, can help you. Although this can seem like the least convenient way to access a copy of a police report, you should do it if it’s your only option. Remember, victims who are not at fault for a car accident can greatly benefit from obtaining a police report, so if the only way you can do so is by mail, then you should.

What Are the Benefits of Getting a Police Report for a Car Accident in New York City That Was Not Your Fault?

Police reports for car accidents in New York City generally benefit the party that is not at fault. Gaining access to a copy of your police report is crucial, especially if you intend to file a lawsuit against the negligent driver for compensatory damages.

While police reports aren’t considered evidence in a car accident lawsuit in New York City, they can help your attorney build a successful argument against a defendant. Police reports often favor the party that is not at fault, so it benefits you to get one.

For example, police reports act as documentation that an accident even happened. Without this report, a defendant may argue that your injuries are not from a collision that they caused. A police report can also point to the reason a car accident occurred. For example, if a defendant was intoxicated at the time, it will be noted on the police report. Information like this can be invaluable to your attorney and help you recover economic and non-economic damages in a lawsuit.

We Can Help You Get a Police Report for a Car Accident in New York City That Was Not Your Fault

If you were not at fault for a car accident in New York City, you should get a police report to support your claim against a negligent driver. For a free case evaluation, call the Staten Island car accident lawyers at The Carrion Law Firm today at (718) 841-0083.