Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
Understanding what your police report tells you after a New York accident matters. These accident reports play a central role in many insurance claims and lawsuits, so you must ensure the information is accurate. However, these reports are difficult to read with so many codes and abbreviations. Our team takes care of this for our clients.
When you hire Shulman & Hill to handle your New York accident case, we can take steps to obtain your police report and analyze it as part of our investigation. To discuss your rights, our services, and other aspects of your case, call (866) 880-0645 for a free case consultation with our team.
The Role of the Police Report in Your Case
When a police officer responds to a crash, they complete an accident report that contains essential information about what happened. This report is frequently where insurance companies get their information about fault and liability and how the investigating officer will review the case before testifying at trial if necessary.
Failing to correctly read and understand your New York police report could give the insurance company a reason to deny your claim. You must ensure the information in the report is accurate. Police accident reports are the main source insurers use to determine who suffered injuries, who caused the crash, and who receives compensation.
Unfortunately, accident reports in New York are often difficult to read unless you are familiar with their layout, codes, and abbreviations. When you review the report, you can expect to find:
- An accident overview with date, time, location, number of vehicles, and number of people hurt
- Information about each vehicle, its driver, and the owner, if different
- Any traffic violations and tickets issued
- Damage to each vehicle
- A diagram of the accident scene
- A description of the accident and any additional notes
- Codes for where each person was seated, whether they had a seatbelt on, and the severity of their injuries
Our team reviews these reports for our clients, so they do not have to struggle with understanding the information in them and fighting for fair compensation based on it.
Obtaining Your New York Police Report
In New York City, a police accident report is available within 30 days of an accident by requesting a copy via mail, in person, or using the Collision Report Retrieval Portal. It could take up to seven days for your report to appear on this portal.
After 30 days or for accidents that occur elsewhere in the state, you may need to obtain the report through the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. They are available online or by calling (518) 486-9786 and using the automated line.
When you work with our team, your lawyer can handle this for you. Our team requests and receives police reports from law enforcement agencies statewide regularly. You do not have to worry about this step if we are representing you.
Checking Your Police Report for Accurate Information
You will want to check your police accident report for accurate information. This includes:
- The date and time of the crash
- Your personal information, such as address and driver’s license number
- The number of people injured in the crash
- The identity and information of those involved
Our team may dispute the information on your report if you believe the cause of the accident was incorrect or the at-fault driver’s carelessness was not clearly described. While insurance companies often use these reports to determine liability and whether to pay out, our team fights to prove inaccuracies and seek fair compensation for our clients when necessary.
Why You Should Trust Shulman & Hill With Your New York Accident Case
Shulman & Hill is New York’s premier personal injury law firm. We have more than $1 Billion+ won for clients hurt in accidents and incidents in New York City and statewide.
Our attorneys handle accident cases no matter the difficulty or complexity. We know how to navigate even the most challenging cases. We believe our clients deserve justice and want to hold careless and reckless drivers accountable. Every case is personal to us. Let us fight for the money you deserve based on your car accident case facts.
Contact Our Team About Your New York Police Report and Case
Shulman & Hill offers free case reviews. We provide insight into your accident case, including the strength of your case, your options, and how we approach these claims and lawsuits. Discuss your rights with our team for free today. Call (866) 880-0645 to learn more.
