What to do if I have a vehicle accident (Car, truck, bus, scooter, e-scooter, bicycle, unicycle, hoverboard etc)? [Property Damage only, no injuries]
Remain on scene and try to exchange info with other party. If other party agrees to exchange info take photos of drivers license, registration, insurance, and the damage(s). If other party refuses or leaves the scene, then call 911. This kind of incident requires to be investigated on scene. Do not leave the scene. You and other party/ parties may pull over to the shoulder or a parking spot near the incident if it’s safe to do so and if the vehicle is drivable. Always get off of the road if situation permits because it’s safer. If it’s not possible, do not sit in the vehicle. Leave the vehicle and go to the shoulder or sidewalk if it’s safe to do so and wait there for police to arrive. It will not affect or change who’s at fault.
Upon arrival of the officers, explain them what happened. They will do the report. Remember, never leave the scene without exchanging info or arrival of the police. Also, if you think the damage is going to be more than $1,000 to any one person’s property, ALL parties involved have to exchange info and file Report of Motorist Crash (Form MV-104) with the NYS DMV either online or by mail. You must file this within 10 days of the accident. However, same as before, if any parties refuse to exchange info or leave the scene or any one person’s vehicle is not drivable, call 911 state clearly that vehicle is not drivable.
What to do if I have a vehicle accident (Car, truck, bus, scooter, e-scooter, bicycle, unicycle, hoverboard etc)? [With injuries]
Remain on scene and call 911 unless removed to hospital by EMS. This kind of incident requires to be investigated on scene. Do not leave the scene; again, unless you are taken to the hospital by EMS. You and other party/ parties may pull over to the shoulder or a parking spot near the incident if it’s safe to do so and if the vehicle is drivable. Always get off of the road if situation permits because it’s safer. If it’s not possible, do not sit in the vehicle. Leave the vehicle and go to the shoulder or sidewalk if it’s safe to do so and wait there for police to arrive. It will not affect or change who’s at fault. Upon arrival of the officers, explain them what happened. They will do the report. Never leave the scene of an accident where one or more persons claims they are injured. Leaving the scene of an accident where someone is injured is a crime in New York and you will be arrested for that. So, no matter what happened, do not be afraid. Just remain on scene so police can do an accident report. Remember, if you remain on scene, it’s just an accident report. But, if you leave the scene, that’s an arrest.
Now, If you are taken to the hospital or go to the hospital by yourself, then call 911 from hospital. Tell the 911 operator where the accident happened and which hospital are you in now. Police will go to the scene first and then come to talk to you in the hospital. Give 911 operator your name and callback number so that assigned officers can reach you. If you are taken to the hospital but physically incapacitated and couldn’t call 911; then, go to the precinct that covers the area where accident happened and ask if a report was made. Sometimes, police officers take a report but couldn’t reach you because of no contact. If they did take a report, they will print you a free copy in NYC. Review the report and if you think something needs to be changed, let the officer know and the reporting officer will amend the report. If no report was taken because of no 911 call, then file Report of Motorist Crash (Form MV-104) with the NYS DMV either online or by mail. You must file this within 10 days of the accident. If you couldn’t make any report because of hospitalization, NYS does allow late reporting due to special circumstances. File the report immediately upon discharge from hospital. Also, keep all hospital paperwork.