What to do after the accident?

A: In many states such as New York, an incident report must be completed and filed by each driver involved in an accident with the Department of Motor Vehicles, if there were personal injuries and/or vehicle damage exceeding a certain monetary amount. Some states such as New York, also provide that if you fail to report such an accident, it may result in a fine and/or suspension of your driver's license. In the state of New York, this document is called an MV104. You can obtain such a form from us as well as from your insurance company.  When completing the report make sure to keep a copy for your records.

Additionally, obtain a copy of the police accident report. Typically, these police reports will be available to you within 48-72 hours after the accident. Most police precincts require a ten-dollar ($10.00) money order to obtain a police report. Provide this report as well as the MV104 (New York) to your insurance company.

Call your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident. Failure to do so may constitute grounds to deny coverage if you fail to give reasonable notice of the accident. We recommend written notice be given to your insurance company by certified mail. The written notice should contain information concerning the date, place, time, name and address of the other drive(s) in the accident, passengers and witnesses.

If you have been injured, you will need to file a no-fault claim. In the state of New York, a no-fault application must be completed and signed by an insured within thirty days of the accident. Failure to do is a ground to deny coverage for no-fault benefits.

The insurance company or attorney of the other driver involved in the accident may also attempt to contact you. Do not discuss the details of the accident with anyone other than your attorney or your insurance representative. Notify your insurance company and/or your attorney of the name address and telephone number of this representative who had attempted to contact you. You are under no obligation to cooperate with the other driver's insurance company, but do have a duty to cooperate with your own. Failure to cooperate with your own insurance company may also constitute grounds to deny coverage.