Under Section 605 of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, if you are driving in NY and are involved in a crash you must file an MV-104 (Motorist report) if any of the following occurred: 

• a person is injured or killed, or
• there is damage to the property of one individual (including yourself) that exceeds $1,000. 

Return the Report of Motor Vehicle Accident (PDF) (MV-104) form by mail to the address listed on page two of the form.

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

If a Person is Injured or Killed

If a person is injured or killed, the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law requires that you immediately notify the police. This is in addition to filing a crash report.

You must not leave the scene of a crash that causes personal injury or death! To do so 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.

The crash appears on the records 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 recent crash (accident) 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 (accident) 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 for possible eye, written, and road tests.