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Car accident /
September 29, 2026

What to Do After a Car Accident in NYC: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ajlouny Injury Law
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After a car accident in New York City, your first priorities are getting to safety, calling 911, and getting medical care. From there, exchange information calmly, document the scene, notify the correct insurer promptly, and speak with an attorney before giving a broad statement or signing anything.

At Ajlouny Injury Law, we help crash victims move through each of these steps correctly so that evidence, deadlines, and insurance filings don’t slip through the cracks. 

If you were in an NYC car accident, call (516) 535-5555 to talk with our team right away.

The First 10 Minutes: Safety, 911, and Medical Help

What you do in the first few minutes after a crash can affect both your safety and your claim.

  1. Move to a safe location if you’re able, away from active traffic
  2. Call 911 and request police and emergency medical response
  3. Accept medical evaluation at the scene, even if you feel okay, since adrenaline can mask injury symptoms
  4. Avoid moving anyone with a suspected serious injury unless there’s an immediate danger
  5. Turn on hazard lights and use flares or cones if available and safe to do so

What Information to Exchange Without Debating Fault

While waiting for police or emergency responders, exchange the following information with other drivers involved:

  1. Full name and contact information
  2. Driver’s license number
  3. License plate number
  4. Vehicle registration information
  5. Insurance company and policy number
  6. Contact information for any witnesses

Keep this exchange factual. Avoid speculating about who caused the crash or apologizing in a way that could be misread as an admission of fault.

Photos and Video That Preserve the Scene

If you’re able to safely do so, document the scene with photos and video, including:

Police Reports and the MV-104 Are Different Records

An NYPD collision report and the DMV’s MV-104 filing serve different purposes and shouldn’t be confused. Police typically respond to and document crashes involving injury, death, or significant property damage, creating an official collision report. Separately, New York law requires an involved motorist to file an MV-104 report directly with the DMV when a crash results in injury, death, or property damage over a certain threshold, regardless of whether police responded.

Neither the police report nor the MV-104 determines who was legally at fault. These are documentation tools, and civil fault is ultimately established through a broader review of the evidence, not by what an officer wrote on a form at the scene.

Get Medical Care and Build a Continuous Treatment Record

Getting evaluated right after a crash matters, but so does following through with any recommended care. A continuous treatment record can include:

  1. Follow-up appointments with your primary doctor or a specialist referral
  2. Notes documenting missed work due to your injuries
  3. Prescription records related to your treatment
  4. A personal symptom journal tracking pain, limitations, and changes over time

Along with taking care of your health, this is about making sure the medical care you do receive is properly documented, since gaps in treatment can be used against you later in a claim.

Start the New York No-Fault Process Promptly

New York’s no-fault system generally requires prompt notice after a crash. Depending on whether you were a driver, passenger, or pedestrian, your application may go to a different insurer, and several deadlines apply:

  1. Written notice of the crash is generally required within 30 days
  2. Proof of medical claims is generally required within 45 days of treatment
  3. Wage loss claims are generally required within 90 days

Missing these windows can jeopardize your no-fault benefits, so it’s important to act quickly rather than wait until your claim feels “serious enough” to report. A car accident attorney with Ajlouny Injury Law can help you file your claim and get the compensation process started. Call us today at [text-phone]. 

Learn more about how these benefits generally work through the New York DFS no-fault insurance FAQs.

When an Unidentified or Uninsured Vehicle Is Involved

If the at-fault vehicle couldn’t be identified or didn’t carry adequate insurance, you may have options through your own household auto policy or through the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC). 

Eligibility for these alternative paths depends on the specific facts of your situation. Call Ajlouny Injury Law at (516) 535-5555 to find out which coverage may apply to your case.

Preserve Evidence Before It Disappears

Evidence connected to a car accident can disappear quickly, whether through overwritten camera footage, a repaired vehicle, or a witness who becomes hard to reach. Try to preserve:

  1. Dashcam footage from your own vehicle, if equipped
  2. Nearby surveillance or traffic camera footage
  3. Tow and repair records for your vehicle
  4. Event data recorder information, before the vehicle is repaired or sold
  5. Rideshare or delivery app receipts, if a commercial driver was involved
  6. Photos of damaged property before repairs begin
  7. Contact information for witnesses, confirmed as soon as possible

How a Liability Claim Differs From No-Fault Benefits

No-fault benefits generally cover a first-party layer of medical expenses and lost income, regardless of who caused the crash, up to your policy’s limits. A separate liability claim against the at-fault driver may be necessary to recover losses that exceed no-fault limits, as well as compensation for pain and suffering, which no-fault benefits don’t cover. These two processes run on different tracks and require different documentation, which is part of why early legal guidance can make a meaningful difference in what you ultimately recover.

Mistakes That Can Reduce the Value of an NYC Claim

Certain missteps after a crash can weaken an otherwise strong claim, including:

  1. Delaying no-fault paperwork past the applicable deadlines
  2. Giving a recorded statement to an insurance company before speaking with an attorney
  3. Signing a broad medical authorization that gives an insurer access to unrelated records
  4. Posting about the crash or your recovery on social media
  5. Repairing or disposing of a damaged vehicle before it’s been inspected
  6. Accepting a quick settlement offer before the full extent of your injuries is known

Call Ajlouny Injury Law at (516) 535-5555 before taking any of these steps so we can help you avoid mistakes that could reduce your claim’s value.

Talk With Ajlouny Injury Law Before Evidence or Deadlines Are Lost

The steps you take after an NYC car accident, from preserving evidence to filing no-fault paperwork on time, can shape the outcome of your claim. Insurance companies move fast after a crash, and the longer key evidence sits unprotected, the harder it becomes to prove what actually happened. Our team can help make sure nothing is missed, identify every liable and insured party, handle communications with insurance companies on your behalf, and push back against tactics designed to minimize your claim before you’ve even had a chance to understand its full value.

Whether your case involves a New York car accident, a pedestrian accident, a rideshare collision, or a serious injury requiring catastrophic injury compensation or a head and brain injury lawyer, our team is ready to step in and start protecting your case immediately. 

Contact Ajlouny Injury Law at (516) 535-5555 today, and let us handle the fight so you can focus on your recovery.


Frequently Asked Questions After an NYC Collision

Do I have to call the police after every crash?

New York generally requires reporting when a crash involves injury, death, or a certain level of property damage. Even in situations where reporting isn’t strictly required, calling the police can help create an official record of the crash, which is often useful for insurance and legal purposes.

How do I obtain an NYC collision report?

Collision reports can generally be requested through the NYPD or the DMV, depending on how the crash was documented. Processing times can vary, so it’s a good idea to request your copy as soon as it becomes available.

What if I was partly at fault?

New York follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning your compensation can be reduced by your share of fault, but it isn’t automatically eliminated just because you bear some responsibility for the crash. How fault is divided depends on the specific facts and evidence in your case.

Reach out and speak with our experienced team of professionals who are here to provide you with the experienced guidance you need for your case.
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