After a car crash, your first priority is your health and safety, but don’t forget to protect your legal rights. Police reports can provide critical, unbiased information in a personal injury case, especially if the person who injured you disputes what happened or who caused the accident.
The New York personal injury attorneys at Harris, Keenan & Goldfarb often use police reports as evidence in these cases, as they provide a neutral account of what happened. Knowing how to request a police report related to your case can help you find the evidence you need to secure fair compensation for your injuries. If you have ever wondered how to request a police report in New York City, this guide will show you.
Different Types of Police Reports in New York City
If you need a police report for a personal injury case in New York, the first step is identifying the type of report you need. The New York Police Department (NYPD) can provide different types of reports for different incidents, and those reports include:
- Verification of Incident: A Verification of Incident report typically involves criminal activities and cases of lost property. Did you find yourself injured due to a drunk driver’s recklessness or fall victim to a hit-and-run? This is the report you need, as it provides a detailed account of the incident.
- Aided Records: If you suffered injuries in a non-collision event and the NYPD came to your aid, then the Aided Records report is what you need. This report meticulously documents how the NYPD helped you and the circumstances leading to the injury.
- Motor Vehicle Collision Reports: Car accidents are a part of life in any major city, and New York is no exception. When these accidents occur, the Motor Vehicle Collision Report is vital evidence for those involved. Whether it’s a minor fender-bender or a major collision, this report captures the specifics of the crash.
Options for Requesting a New York Police Report
The NYPD and other law enforcement agencies offer numerous ways to request official records related to a car accident or other incident. Those options include:
Online
In many cases, the fastest way to obtain a police report in New York is to request one online. The NYPD’s Collision Report Retrieval Portal allows you to search for accident reports based on when the crash occurred, where it occurred, license plate numbers, dates of birth, or other factors. If you need a Verification of Incident report, you can request it from the NYPD online database. Finally, if you sustained injuries in a collision outside city limits or another agency besides the NYPD investigated that crash, the New York DMV has instructions for requesting reports online.
By Mail
The NYPD and other New York law enforcement agencies often accept records requests by mail. For NYPD collision reports, you must complete two copies of the Request for Copy of Collision Record form and mail them to the precinct where the incident took place. (You can find the details about your local police precinct here.) Unfortunately, it appears the New York DMV does not currently accept records requests by mail. If you need an Aided Records report from the NYPD, you can request the report by mail. Send two copies of the records request form and a self-addressed envelope to the following address:
- NYPD/Criminal Records Unit (Aided Unit)
- 375 Pearl Street
- Suite 4, 16th Floor
- New York, NY 10038
The mailing address for Verification of Incident reports is slightly different. If you need one of these reports, complete two copies of the records request form and send them, along with a self-addressed envelope, to the following address:
- NYPD/Criminal Records Unit
- 375 Pearl Street
- Suite 4, 16th Floor
- New York, NY 10038
In Person
The NYPD does not allow you to retrieve Verification of Incident or Aided Records reports in person. However, you can request collision reports in person. These reports are available for 30 days after being filed at the closest precinct to where the crash took place. After that, these records are only available online through the New York DMV. To request a crash report in person, take two complete copies of the Request for Copy of Collision Record form to your local NYPD precinct.
Having Trouble Finding a New York Police Report? We Can Help
After a car crash or other incident, you have more important things to do than deal with police bureaucracy and paperwork. The New York personal injury attorneys from Harris, Keenan & Goldfarb can handle these records requests and build your case while you recuperate from your injuries. Call 800-724-6529 today or complete our contact form for a free case evaluation.
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