# Should I Call the Police After a Long Island Car Accident? **Table of Contents***[*Expand*]* 1. Does New York Law Require You to Call the Police? 2. What a Police Report Actually Does for Your Claim 3. What to Do While You Wait for the Police 4. What Happens If You Don't Call the Police? 5. When the Accident Involves a Government Vehicle 6. FAQs About Calling the Police After a Long Island Car Accident 7. Talk to a Long Island Car Accident Lawyer ![Should I Call the Police After a Car Accident in Long Island?](https://ekjlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/should-i-call-the-police-after-a-car-accident-in-long-island.jpg) # Should I Call the Police After a Car Accident in Long Island? Yes, you should call the police after a car accident in Long Island any time there’s an injury, a death, or property damage that looks to be over $1,000, because New York law requires it and the police report becomes key evidence for your claim. Even in a minor fender-bender, calling is almost always the safer choice. Edelman, Krasin & Jaye has recovered over half a billion dollars for injured people. Our [Long Island car accident lawyers](https://ekjlaw.com/long-island-ny/car-accident-lawyer/) have seen how often that one phone call makes or breaks a case. Here’s what you need to know before you decide. ## Does New York Law Require You to Call the Police? New York law requires you to call the police after a car accident in Long Island whenever someone is injured or killed, and strongly points you toward reporting when property damage is significant. The police response creates an official, independent record of what happened while the scene is still fresh. On top of the police report, drivers have a separate duty: you must file a report with the New York State DMV within 10 days whenever a crash causes injury, death, or more than $1,000 in property damage. Skipping that step can put your license and registration at risk. The practical upside is bigger than just avoiding a penalty. When you call the police, an officer documents the scene, the positions of the vehicles, and the other driver’s statements, details that are almost impossible to recreate later if the other side changes their story. For a free legal consultation, call [(800) 469-7429](tel:+18004697429) ## What a Police Report Actually Does for Your Claim A police report gives your claim a neutral, third-party account that insurance companies take seriously. It typically records the date, time, location, drivers, witnesses, visible damage, and the officer’s observations about what happened, sometimes including who they believe was at fault. That is important because car accident claims often come down to one person’s word against another’s. An insurer looking for a reason to pay less will seize on any gap or inconsistency. A documented report closes those gaps before they can be used against you. This is also why acting at the scene beats trying to patch things together afterward. By the time memories fade and vehicles are repaired, the report is often the single most reliable piece of evidence left, and it’s one of the first things the team at Edelman, Krasin & Jaye reviews when evaluating a new case. ## What to Do While You Wait for the Police Once you’ve called, the minutes before officers arrive are valuable. A little calm documentation now can protect you for months. If you’re physically able to, focus on a few things: - **Move to safety** if the vehicles are in traffic and it’s safe to do so - **Check on everyone involved** and request an ambulance if anyone is hurt - **Photograph the scene** from several angles, including both vehicles, the road, and any signals or signs - **Exchange information** with the other driver: name, license, insurance, and plate number - **Get witness contact details** before anyone leaves What you *don’t* do matters just as much. Avoid apologizing or admitting fault, even casually, because a simple “I’m sorry” can later be twisted into an admission. Knowing exactly what to do after a car accident in Long Island in those first moments is half the battle, and it’s a big reason people reach out to us with questions long before they ever file a claim. [Click to contact](https://ekjlaw.com/contact-us/) our attorneys today ## What Happens If You Don’t Call the Police? Not calling the police after a car accident in Long Island can quietly weaken your case, even when you’re clearly not at fault. Without an official report, your claim often becomes a he-said-she-said dispute that insurers are happy to exploit. Here’s where it tends to hurt: - **The other driver changes their story** once there’s money on the line, and you have nothing neutral to counter it. - **Injuries that surface later** look suspicious to insurers if there’s no documented crash to tie them to. - **Your own insurer may push back**, since failing to report can complicate your no-fault benefits. None of this means a claim is hopeless without a report, but it starts you in a deeper hole. Edelman, Krasin & Jaye regularly helps clients build strong cases even when the early steps didn’t go perfectly, though it’s always easier when that first report exists. Complete a [Free Case Evaluation form](https://ekjlaw.com/contact-us/) now ## When the Accident Involves a Government Vehicle If your crash involves a government vehicle, like a Nassau County bus or a town-owned truck, calling the police is even more important, and the clock starts ticking faster. Claims against a government entity usually require a formal notice of claim within 90 days of the accident, far shorter than the standard deadline for a typical crash. In these situations, the police report and your own documentation become critical, because government agencies and their insurers tend to defend these claims aggressively. The sooner the facts are locked down, the better. This is exactly the kind of situation where getting legal guidance early pays off. A Long Island car accident lawyer can make sure the right notices are filed on time, so a short deadline never costs you the chance to recover. ## FAQs About Calling the Police After a Long Island Car Accident ### Do I Still Call the Police for a Minor Fender-Bender? You should still call the police for a minor fender-bender whenever there’s any injury or meaningful property damage, since damage and injuries often turn out worse than they first appear. What looks like a scratch can hide frame damage, and a sore neck can become a weeks-long injury. Even when police decline to respond to a very minor crash, calling creates a record of your attempt. Pair that with photos and a prompt DMV report, and you’ve still protected yourself. ### What If the Other Driver Asks to Settle Without Police? If the other driver asks to settle without police, be cautious, because it often means they want to avoid a record, whether due to no insurance, a suspended license, or fault they’d rather not document. A private cash offer at the scene rarely covers what your injuries and repairs actually cost. Once you accept cash and part ways, you usually give up your ability to recover more if hidden injuries or damage show up later. Calling the police protects that option. ### How Long Do I Have to Report the Accident in New York? You have 10 days to report the accident in New York to the DMV whenever the crash caused injury, death, or more than $1,000 in property damage. This is separate from calling the police at the scene and is a legal requirement for drivers. Missing that window can lead to a suspended license, and it can also make your insurance claim harder to support. Filing promptly with the help of Edelman, Krasin & Jaye keeps both your driving privileges and your claim on solid ground. ## Talk to a Long Island Car Accident Lawyer Now that you know whether to call the police after a car accident in Long Island, the next step is making sure that early paperwork works in your favor. The team at [Edelman, Krasin & Jaye](https://ekjlaw.com/about/) offers a **free**,**no-pressure consultation**, where we’ll review your report, your options, and where you stand. Reach out today before an insurer gets the chance to define your case for you. 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If you break your foot on the pedal, you --- Source: https://ekjlaw.com/faqs/should-i-call-the-police-after-a-car-accident-in-long-island/