Category Archives: Uncategorized
Can a Car Accident Affect Your Driving Record in New York?
A car accident can become part of a driver’s history with the New York Department of Motor Vehicles. That does not mean the accident automatically adds points to a license. Accident records, traffic violations, convictions, and driver points are related to different parts of the DMV system. A collision may appear on a driving… Read More »
What Drivers Should Know About New York’s 10-Day Accident Reporting Deadline
Ten days can pass quickly after a car accident. Vehicle repairs need attention. Insurance claims are opened. Medical appointments may begin. Damage estimates can take several days to arrive. During that period, New York’s accident reporting deadline continues to run. When an accident involves injury, death, or sufficient property damage, Form MV-104 must be… Read More »
Understanding the Difference Between DMV Reporting Requirements and Insurance Reporting Requirements
After a car accident, most drivers contact their insurance company first. A claim is opened, photographs are submitted, and an adjuster begins evaluating the damage. Once that process begins, many drivers assume they have completed every required report. That is not always the case. Reporting an accident to your insurance company does not necessarily… Read More »
The Most Important Documents to Save After a New York Car Accident
The days following a car accident generate more paperwork than many drivers expect. Insurance claims are opened. Repair estimates arrive. Medical records begin to accumulate. Police reports become available. If the accident meets New York’s reporting requirements, Form MV-104 also becomes part of the file. Some of these documents are needed immediately. Others may… Read More »
What Happens When Drivers Disagree About How the Accident Occurred?
Not every car accident ends with both drivers telling the same story. One driver may say the light was green. The other may insist it was red. A lane-change collision, parking lot accident, or rear-end crash can quickly become a dispute over what actually happened. Disagreements are common after a collision. They do not… Read More »
Can a Passenger File an Accident Report in New York?
Passengers can be seriously affected by a car accident even though they were not behind the wheel. They may suffer injuries, speak with police, provide information to insurers, and receive medical treatment long after the collision. A passenger may also have a clearer view of a traffic signal, another vehicle’s movement, or what happened… Read More »
How Long Should You Keep Accident Records After Filing an MV-104?
Filing Form MV-104 satisfies an important reporting requirement under New York law. It should not be the last step in documenting the accident. Photographs, repair estimates, insurance correspondence, medical records, and other accident-related documents often remain relevant long after the vehicle has been repaired and the insurance claim has closed. Many drivers discard those… Read More »
Accidents Involving Government Property: Reporting Requirements After Striking Guardrails, Signs, and Utility Poles
Not every car accident involves another vehicle. Drivers sometimes leave the roadway and strike a guardrail. A utility pole may be damaged while avoiding another car. A traffic sign, light pole, or highway barrier can become part of the collision. These accidents are often viewed differently because there is no other driver involved. The… Read More »
Should You Wait for a Repair Estimate Before Filing the MV-104?
After a car accident, one of the first questions many drivers ask is how much the damage will cost to repair. Insurance adjusters schedule inspections. Body shops prepare estimates. Repair appointments may not be available for several days. That often leads to another question: Should you wait for the repair estimate before deciding whether… Read More »
Accidents Involving Borrowed Vehicles: Who Has the Reporting Obligation?
Not every driver owns the vehicle they are operating. A friend may lend you a car for the weekend. You may borrow a family member’s vehicle, drive a dealership loaner while your own car is being repaired, or operate a leased vehicle that is registered in someone else’s name. When an accident occurs, ownership… Read More »
