Do I Need a Police Report When Filing Auto Insurance Claim in New York?
Reader’s Question:
I would like to know if after a car accident occurs a police report is required in Brentwood, New York?
Tom
Brentwood, NY
A police report is not necessarily required for every incident in New York City or New York State as a whole but it would be advisable to get an accident report done by the law enforcement officer if you were in an accident in Brentwood.
According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles if you are in an accident, you must stop your car and exchange information with the other motorists. If the incident caused property damage only, then exchange information about your car insurance, driver license, and registration with the other motorists. If a parked car or other property is damaged, you must locate the owner or contact the law enforcement officer.
If an individual is injured or killed, you are required by the Vehicle and Traffic Law to inform the police immediately. All the involved drivers and the law enforcement officer must file an accident report with the NYS DMV. It is a crime to leave the accident scene that causes personal injury or death.
An insurance carrier may require an accident report for some types of collisions such as a hit and run. It is best to obtain a police report for all incidents if for nothing else then to have a written report of the other person’s information in a report in case their auto insurance comes back as canceled, expired, or fake.In those types of cases you can then notify the police to the fact that the individual gave incorrect information in hopes they will be penalized by the state.
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