the five boroughs
In New York City the NYPD covers all five boroughs, so an officer from the precinct where the crash happened writes the report. Call 911 if anyone is hurt. Trade license, insurance and registration. Note the cross streets and the precinct. Photograph the cars and the intersection before anything is towed. A free case check organizes all of it for an attorney to review.
Free. Not legal advice. Starting a case check does not mean we represent you.
Where this comes from
We checked these original sources on September 5, 2026. Each link opens the source so you can read it for yourself.
Original links
Order and Access Motor Vehicle Crash (Accident) Reports
Motor Vehicle Accident Reports
Non-Injury Vehicle Collisions
Vehicle Accident Report
New York City Police Department
The NYPD holds your collision report at the precinct for a while, then sends it to the state DMV. Where you ask depends on how recent the crash is.
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Go to the precinct where the crash happened with a valid photo identification, such as a driver license or a passport. You can also mail the Request for Copy of Collision Record form, PD301-165, to that precinct. NYC311 lists the online, mail and in person routes together.
NYC311, City of New York02
NYPD also runs a Collision Report Retrieval Portal for reports taken after September 30, 2016. The department says it can take up to seven business days from the date of the crash before a report is accessible there, so try again if it is missing.
New York City Police Department03
Once the precinct forwards the report to the state, the request goes to the New York DMV. Use DMV form MV-198C or the DMV online crash report portal, and have the crash date and the borough ready before you search.
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles04
NYPD says a collision with only property damage does not have to be reported to police. If no officer wrote one up, file your own MV-104 with the DMV and keep your photos, the other driver's insurance card, and any witness name.
New York City Police DepartmentAgencies change their forms, portals and fees. Open the linked page before you pay for anything, and keep a copy of every request you send.
Federal fatal-crash counts, 2022 to 2024
| County | Fatal crashes | People who died | Share of the state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kings County | 193 | 197 | 6.1% |
| Queens County | 205 | 216 | 6.4% |
| New York County | 98 | 109 | 3.1% |
| Bronx County | 144 | 151 | 4.5% |
| Richmond County | 36 | 39 | 1.1% |
These are crashes in which at least one person died within 30 days, as counted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. They are not a count of all crashes, injuries, insurance claims or lawsuits, and most crashes are not in this file at all.
The counts are not adjusted for population, road miles or how much people drive, so they cannot say one place is more dangerous than another. A crash appearing here does not show who was at fault, whether anyone was insured or whether anyone has a claim.
Questions
Start with the precinct where the crash happened. Bring a valid photo identification, or mail the Request for Copy of Collision Record form to that precinct. Once the precinct forwards the report to the state, the request goes to the New York DMV on form MV-198C instead.
It may be. The NYPD Collision Report Retrieval Portal carries reports taken after September 30, 2016. NYPD says it can take up to seven business days from the crash date before a report is accessible there. If yours is older, ask the New York DMV instead.
NYPD says a collision with only property damage does not have to be reported to police. Write down the other driver's license, insurance and plate while you still can, keep your photos, and file your own MV-104 with the New York DMV so there is a record.
Yes. You can start a free case check for a New York City crash in English or Spanish, and you can call or text. Vetted Cases does not have an office in New York. Gregory S. Hach looks at what you send as the initial attorney reviewer.
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A quick reality check
This page cannot decide fault, medical cause, insurance coverage, legal deadlines, case value or whether you have a claim. Those questions depend on the complete facts, records, state law and a licensed attorney's review.
Last updated
We opened every New York City agency page linked here on this date and rewrote anything that had changed.
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