How to Get a Car Accident Police Report on Long Island
You can get a car accident police report on Long Island by requesting a copy from the website of the law enforcement agency that responded to the scene of the crash. Long Island is comprised of four counties: Kings, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties. If your car accident took place in Suffolk County, for example, you would request a copy of the police report from the Suffolk County Police Department.
You can also request a copy of the police report from the New York City Police Department if you are making the request within 30 days from the date of the accident. After that period, you will have to request the police report from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Most car accidents are caused by negligence, and a car accident police report can help you prove fault and liability for the collision. For instance, if your car accident was caused by a distracted driver, the police report could prove what happened. You can use a police report as evidence when you go to file a car insurance claim.
You may also choose to work with a personal injury lawyer in Long Island who can provide more insight into the value of a police report following a car accident.
More Information About Getting a Traffic Report on Long Island
Most law enforcement agencies in New York have partnered with a website such as LexisNexis, where you can obtain your police car accident report. The Suffolk County Police Department uses a site called BuyCrash, which is also associated with LexisNexis.
When ordering a copy of the police report, regardless of the channel, you may need to include some basic information, including:
- The name of the person(s) involved in the accident
- Your date of birth
- Your vehicle’s information
- The date of the crash
- The location of the crash
When downloading a police car accident report online through the DMV, you will be charged a $7 search fee plus a $15 report fee. If you decide to order a report through the mail, you will be charged a $10 search fee and a $15 report fee.
The Importance of Obtaining a Police Report
The main reason you will need to get a car accident report on Long Island is that you can use it to prove fault in a car accident claim. If you were seriously injured in an accident, you may be interested in filing a claim or lawsuit to recover your collision-related losses. Your traffic report also helps to prove fault.
Even though New York is a no-fault state, your insurance company may still request a copy of the police report to learn more about the collision. They may want to know what happened for a variety of reasons. For instance, if you caused the accident, they may want to raise your insurance rates.
A Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You Obtain a Police Report
After being injured in a car accident, you are probably dealing with a lot. You could be stuck in a hospital, biding your time until you recover. You could also be suffering from physical pain, mental trauma, and other negative issues related to your accident and injuries.
Figuring out how to obtain a police report and collect other types of evidence could feel overwhelming. That is where a personal injury lawyer can step in and help you. According to our personal injury lawyer in Garden City, the police report and other evidence or documents you can provide are the building blocks of your future legal case. Your attorneys are versed in deposing witnesses, hiring accident reconstruction experts, asking medical specialists for their opinion, deal with the legal process itself (from sending the demand letter to closing the case), and so on. It all starts with the proper documentation, parallel investigations, and building an offense that leaves the other party no choice but to settle for the right amount.
They can get a copy of your police car accident report and collect other important pieces of evidence, such as:
- Statements from witnesses
- Photos of the accident scene
- Traffic camera footage
- Crash scene expert analysis
- Medical evidence
- Physical evidence
Once your legal team obtains the necessary pieces of evidence, they can build your case and send your claim to the appropriate insurance company. They can also negotiate for a fair settlement so that you can concentrate on moving forward from the collision.
Connect with the Legal Team at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP
The personal injury claims process for a car accident can be overwhelming for those who are dealing with injuries. Yet, you do not have to deal with the claims process alone. Securing legal representation can relieve you of the burdens that come with filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
You do not need to worry about getting a car accident police report on Long Island because the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP can do it for you. Our legal team can handle many of the responsibilities that go into building a personal injury case. To learn more about your options in a free consultation, dial (866) 878-6774 to get started.
