Get an Accident Report[1] 
DMV keeps accident reports for only 4 years from the date of the accident, except for rare instances that are described in Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 201. 

How can I get a copy of an Accident Report? 


By mail 
Use the Request for Copy of Accident Report PDF [2] MV-198C to order a copy of an accident report by mail. the plate number of a vehicle involved in the crash / accident , and/or the driver license number of a person who was involved in the crash / accident , and/or the name and date of birth of a person who was involved in the crash / accident Accident reports are certified copies. If DMV cannot find an accident based on the information you provide , you will be notified by DMV in a certified letter. 

Online 
To order a copy of an accident report in PDF format , use the Order and Access Motor Vehicle Accident Reports online [3] transaction. Before you order online , please read the following information : Accident reports available through this transaction are certified copies that include an attestation and signature of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. To place an order , you will need one of the following : the plate number of a vehicle involved in the crash / accident , and/or the driver license number of a person who was involved in the accident , and/or the 8-digit DMV case number starts with the number 3 You can access an accident report that you purchased online within the last 7 calendar days. No fee is charged to access a report that you previously purchased. Enter your email address and the Report Confirmation Number the number that displayed during the report purchase transaction and was emailed to you in the transaction confirmation. enter the Search Confirmation Number. Note : Some customers have experienced problems downloading PDF documents [4] from our website. Make sure your operating system and web browser have been updated with all recent updates. 

How long after an accident does it take for the rep

user: Hi. I'm interested to know how long does it take after an accident happens for the report to be available

assistant: Do you if the report was filled electronically by police or occurred in in one of the five boroughs of new york city?

user: Not as far as I know.

assistant: Do know if the report of the accident was made by police on paper?

user: Yes, I saw it when they made the paperwork by hand.

assistant: In that case, it could take at least 30 days from the date of the accident before you can search for the report.

user: I can find access to accidents reports that I already purchased online?

assistant: Yes, you can do that.

user: Once I get access to the report what will I be able to do?

assistant: You'll be able to access to the reports again, enter the confirmation number displayed during the report purchase transaction and emailed to you in the transaction confirmation.

user: I can get access to to the dmv records?

assistant: Yes, you can access to them too.

user: This process can be done by mail too, right?

assistant: Yes, you can do this process through mail, but you'll need to pay a search fee of $10.00 and additional report fee of $15.00 for each accident report that you order by mail. The cost is less when you order your accident report online.