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How to Get a Police Report for a Car Accident in Manhattan

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    If you are hurt in a car accident in Manhattan, everything can seem chaotic and difficult to handle.  You should consider talking to a car accident lawyer about your case – but it is important to collect some information first.  Many Greece, NY car accident lawyers and insurance companies will ask you to get a copy of the car accident report from the police, so here’s how to do that:

    First, visit the NYPD’s online portal for crash reports.  If your accident happened in Manhattan proper, NYPD should have handled the case.  There are alternative options to get paper copies and options for non-NY residents to get copies.

    Next, call a lawyer for help.  The Manhattan car accident lawyers at The Carrion Law Firm offer free case evaluations to help you understand what to do next and how to get compensation for your injuries.  Call us today at (718) 841-0083.

    Where Do You Get a Police Report Online for a Car Crash in Manhattan?

    Police reports made by the NYPD are usually available through their online portal.  Many crash reports can be ordered through a third-party site called BuyCrash, including reports for crashes in New York.  However, since NYC is so big and deals with so many crashes, the NYPD has its own online portal for car accident reports.

    A search can also be run through the NY DMV to get a copy of any police report from a car accident in New York.  This requires running a “free search” on the NY DMV website to see if they have a record of your crash, then running a “paid search” for $7 to find the record.  Be careful when running a paid search because it charges you for the search even if you make a spelling error.  Once you find the record, it costs $15 for a report.

    Can You Get a Paper Copy of a Police Report for a Manhattan Car Accident?

    Not everyone has access to a computer and a printer.  In general, the online portal is the fastest and easiest way to get a police report, so consider checking out your local library to get online access and get a digital copy of the report.  If that option still is not available to you, you can always get a paper copy.

    The precinct that handled the aftermath of your car accident should be able to give you a paper copy of your police report.  These reports can be requested by mail or in person.  The unfortunate complication for many people is that the form you need to request a police report by mail or in person must be printed out and given to the police precinct.  This means you will often need a computer and a printer anyway – but your local precinct might have copies of the form you can fill out on site.

    The NY DMV also holds onto copies which can be requested by mail.  To run a search for records via mail, it costs $10, and you must send in a form to the DMV.  It then costs $15 for each copy you order.

    How Long Does It Take for Police Reports to Become Available for Manhattan Car Accidents?

    According to the NYPD’s website, it can take up to 7 days before a police report becomes available for your crash.  However, that is just for the online portal.

    If you are seeking a paper copy of the police report from the precinct where the accident happened, it could be faster or take longer.  Precincts usually hold onto reports for 30 days before sending them to the DMV.  This means any time during that 30-day period, you should be able to get a copy of the report – however, it might not be ready right away.  It is also possible that the copy could be ready before the 7-day wait for online copies.

    To get a copy through the DMV, you usually have to wait at least 14 days for the electronic record to get to the DMV’s system.  It takes at least 30 days before the paper version is available.

    Who Can Access the NYPD’s Police Report Records in Manhattan?

    Typically, car accident reports are limited as to who can access them.  Generally, only someone involved in the crash or their legal representative (i.e., their attorney or insurance company) can get a copy of the report.  Because of the way this system works, many Whiteplains personal injury lawyers and insurance companies will ask the driver to get a copy of the report themselves. However, if you have any trouble accessing your report, your attorney should be able to help you get the report you need.

    While the NY DMV’s portal can be accessed by anyone, the NYPD portal is only available to citizens of New York, Massachusetts, or Connecticut.  That means that drivers from other nearby states like Pennsylvania or New Jersey cannot use this portal to get a copy of a police report for their crash.

    In general, drivers injured in a car crash in Manhattan need to file their injury case in Manhattan.  It is vital to speak with a Manhattan car accident attorney about your case, especially if you live out of state and need help filing your claim in Manhattan.  As for getting a police report, it should still be available at the local precinct or through the NY DMV – it just might take you a little bit longer to get it if you live outside those three states.

    Call Our Manhattan Car Accident Lawyers Today

    If you were hurt in a car accident in Manhattan, call The Carrion Law Firm today at (718) 841-0083 for a free case review with our experienced NYC personal injury attorneys.