File a Motorist Crash (Accident) Report

Under Section 605 of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, if you are driving in New York State and are involved in a crash you must file a report of your motor vehicle crash if any of the following occurred:  

• a person is injured or killed,
• there is damage to the property of one individual (including yourself) that exceeds $1,000, or
• an e-bike or e-scooter is involved and a person is injured or killed.

If you do not file a crash report, DMV may suspend your driving privilege until the report is on file.

If a Person is Injured or Killed

If a person is injured or killed, you are legally required to immediately notify the police. This is in addition to filing a crash report.

Leaving the scene of a crash that causes personal injury or death is a crime.

Property Damage Only

If the crash caused property damage only, you must exchange information about your driver license, insurance, and registration with the involved drivers. This is in addition to filing a crash report if the damage exceeds $1,000.

Damage to a Parked Vehicle or Other Property, or Injury to a Domestic Animal

If a parked vehicle or other property is damaged, or if a domestic animal is injured, you must locate the owner or contact the police.

There are two different paths to get to the Online Motorist Crash Report Portal, depending on whether you already have an NY.gov ID or not.

Option 1: Online

Log in Using an Existing NY.gov ID

Click the "Start Online Motorist Crash Report" button below, and, on the next page, click the "NY.gov ID" button.

You will be asked for your NY.gov ID username and password. Once you sign in, you will be asked to set up shared secrets, if you have not already. After you have set up your shared secrets, you will end up at the start of the Online Motorist Report Submission Portal.

Sign Up for a NY.gov ID Account and Log In

Step 1: Getting to NY.gov

Click the "Start Online Motorist Crash Report" button below, and on the next page, click the "Sign Up for NY.gov ID" button.

Step 2: Create a NY.gov ID

Select the account type you wish to create, and then follow the remaining prompts to create your NY.gov ID.

An email will be sent to your email address with a link that you will need to click to verify your email address.

Once your email is verified, you will be asked to create Shared Secrets, which are an additional form of security on your account. Take note of the questions and answers you set up, as you may be asked for them later.

Finally, you will be asked to pick a two-factor authentication method. Set that up, and that ends the NY.gov ID creation process.

Step 3: Return to the DMV Website

After creating your shared secrets and setting up two-factor authentication, you will need to return to this page. Click on the "Start Online Motorist Crash Report" button below again which will now take you to the start of the Online Motorist Report Submission Portal. You should already be logged in after creating your account and your shared secrets.

For other reports that you may need to submit/purchase in the future, you can use the steps above for logging in with an existing NY.gov ID.

Start Online Motorist Crash Report

Option 2: By Mail

Complete and mail the Report of Motor Vehicle Crash (PDF) (MV-104) form to the address listed on page two of the form.

The crash appears on the record of all the involved drivers. A crash listed on your driving record does not indicate that you were at fault. The DMV does not try to determine fault in a crash.

There are two ways to get a copy of your crash report:

• Call or visit the local police agency or precinct where the crash occurred. Ask the agency if your report is available and what the fee is, or
• If the police and/or motorists' reports have already been filed and processed by the DMV, see how to get PDF copies of crash reports.

The DMV has a Crash Re-Evaluation Program that identifies drivers who have been in three or more reportable crashes within an 18-month period. The program includes drivers of all ages. A reportable crash is any crash in New York State that causes a fatality, a personal injury, or damage over $1,000 to the property of any one person. The DMV sends the driver a letter to come to a DMV office for an interview and potentially for a vision, written or road test.