You might be wondering how to get a police report in Suffolk County, NY if you’ve been involved in a car accident, or suffered an injury due to an event caused by another’s negligence. The police report is incredibly important to your case since it’s basically the officer’s opinion of how the accident took place.

The attorneys with Carner & DeVita know how to obtain a police report in Suffolk County, NY. If you would like to learn more about how we can help you obtain the compensation you deserve, please contact us online or call (631) 543-7070 for a free consultation.

The two main types of police reports

There are two kinds of police reports – incident and accident reports. An officer makes out an  incident report when an event occurs and no one is hurt. An accident report, on the other hand, is needed when someone is injured.

When police reports are and are not required

New York state law addresses when police have to be called for a car accident to file an accident report and when no officer is required.

According to VTL (Vehicle & Traffic Law) 600-1a and 605, accidents resulting in only property damage that doesn’t amount to more than $1,000 don’t require an officer.

VTL 600-2a states that police must be called when an accident results in an injury. In both cases, the parties involved must exchange license and insurance information.

How do I get a Suffolk County police report?

The process of how to obtain a police report in Suffolk County, NY after a car wreck is fairly straightforward. Here’s how to do so online, in person, or by mail.

Online

You can go to BuyCrash.com to get one online. Reports are usually accessible anywhere between 7-10 days after an accident. You’ll need to be able to answer two of these questions:

  • The driver’s license number of at least one of the motorists involved in the accident.
  • The license plate number of one of the vehicles.
  • The birthdate of at least one of the drivers.

The cost for a report is about $20.

In person

If you want to get your copy in person, you can go to Suffolk County Police Headquarters. You’ll pay a dollar or less as a copy fee. Here’s the address:

30 Yaphank Avenue

Yaphank, NY 11980

By mail

You can also request a copy of the police report through the mail. Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the following address:

Suffolk County Police Department Central Records Section

30 Yaphank Avenue

Yaphank, NY 11980-9705

In addition to your name and address, you’ll need to provide the following information:

  • Date and location of the accident
  • Type of incident (car crash, truck accident, etc.)
  • Names of the drivers involved

There could be additional postage costs or other fees, so the police department recommends you send a check or money order for $1 made out to the Suffolk County Police Department. It will usually take between 6-8 weeks to receive a Suffolk County-certified copy of the police report through the mail.

Speak with our Suffolk County car accident lawyer to protect your rights

If you have any issue obtaining a copy of your police report in Suffolk County, NY, or you want an attorney to help you obtain full and fair compensation, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our skilled Suffolk County car accident lawyers. We’ll provide the expert representation it will take for you to get the money you deserve.

Give us a call at (631) 543-7070 or use our online contact form to schedule a free review of your case.