In New York, you are not required to call the police for minor accidents with only property damage, but you must exchange information with the other driver and file a state DMV Report of Motor Vehicle Accident (Form MV-104) within 10 days if property damage exceeds $1,000. It is still recommended to document the scene with photos, collect witness information, and seek medical attention if you experience any pain.
Most people don’t call the police for “small” crashes. No airbags. No injuries at the moment. Cars still drivable.
But here’s what drivers often learn the hard way: a minor car accident can become a major insurance problem if there’s no police report.
And this isn’t rare — lower-impact collisions are among the most underreported crashes in New York, according to recent research on injury underreporting in road traffic incidents (ScienceDirect, 2025). Many drivers simply leave without documenting anything, and insurance companies use that gap against them.
This guide explains what to do next, what your rights look like, and what the data shows about “minor” crashes in NYC and Long Island — even if your accident happened days ago.
What’s in This Guide
- What counts as “minor” — and why injuries still happen
- Whether you need a police report to file a claim
- What to do after a crash, even if it already happened
- How insurance companies treat claims without reports
- Recent NYC & Long Island crash statistics
- Whether scratches, dents, or low-speed crashes get investigated
- How a Long Island personal injury lawyer strengthens your case
What Counts as a Minor Accident? (And Why It Still Matters)
A “minor” accident is usually defined as:
- Low-speed impact
- No visible injuries
- Cosmetic damage or no damage
- Both vehicles drivable
But in reality? The human body absorbs force differently than a car does. Whiplash, concussions, soft-tissue injuries, and delayed pain are all extremely common in low-impact collisions.
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Do You Need a Police Report to File a Claim?
No.
You can file a car insurance claim in New York without a police report.
But here’s the truth:
A police report makes your life much easier. Without one, insurance companies often claim:
- The crash never happened
- The damage wasn’t caused by the crash
- Your injuries are unrelated
- The other driver’s story is more credible
NYC Crash Data Shows How Common These Situations Are
In the first three months of 2025, the NYPD logged 19,116 motor vehicle collisions citywide — down from 21,989 in early 2024, but still an extremely high number for urban streets. With that many collisions, police can’t always respond to every low-damage crash on the spot.
That means you may be the only person documenting what happened.
What To Do After a Minor Car Accident With No Police Report
Even if the crash happened hours ago — or last week — these steps help you protect your claim.
1. Get Medical Attention
Documented medical visits are the backbone of any injury claim. Delayed symptoms are real, and insurance companies will question any gap in treatment.
2. Gather Evidence Yourself
If police never responded, you can still build a strong evidentiary record. Collect:
- Photos of both vehicles
- Close-ups of all scratches, dents, or debris
- Photos of bruising or physical symptoms
- Names of witnesses
- Screenshots of texts with the other driver
- Any repair estimates
3. Notify Your Insurance — Carefully
You must report the accident, but keep your initial statement short.
Say only:
“I was involved in a collision, and I’m still assessing injuries.”
You do not owe them a recorded statement without legal guidance.
4. Contact a Long Island Personal Injury Lawyer Early
We do the heavy lifting that a police report would have handled:
- Securing evidence
- Documenting injuries
- Protecting you from insurance traps
- Reconstructing the crash
- Assessing liability
Early involvement gives you the strongest foundation possible.
Car Insurance Claims Without a Police Report: How It Actually Works
Insurance companies are trained to minimize payouts. With no report, they often say:
- “There’s not enough proof.”
- “Your injuries don’t match the damage.”
- “The impact was too minor.”
But consider this:
Long Island Crash Trends: A Crash Every 7 Minutes
A 2025 report revealed that Long Island experiences a serious crash roughly every seven minutes.
This volume of collisions means:
- Police may not respond to your low-damage crash
- Your claim may get heavy pushback
- You need strong documentation to prove what really happened
Your accident is part of a larger pattern — not an isolated event.
Common Questions After a Minor Crash
Do I have to report a car accident if there is no visible damage?
If injuries are involved, yes.
If it’s only property damage, you must report the crash if estimated damages exceed $1,000 — and repair quotes nearly always surpass that.
Will police investigate a minor scratch?
Usually no.
If the vehicles are drivable and there are no injuries, officers may decline to respond.
However, you can still file a self-report afterward, so there is a record.
How a Lawyer Strengthens Your Claim When There’s No Police Report
At Chaikin Trial Group, we routinely handle cases where there’s:
- No police report
- Delayed medical care
- Minimal visible damage
- A “story change” from the other driver
- A denied or lowballed claim
We step in to:
- Build the missing documentation
- Protect your statements
- Gather medical evidence
- Reconstruct the crash using experts
- Push back when insurers call the crash “too minor”
Even a small collision can change your life — and you deserve representation that treats it seriously. Contact us today.
