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What to Do After a Car Accident in the Bronx: A Step-by-Step Guide

What to Do After a Car Accident in the Bronx: A Step-by-Step Guide — Bronx Towing Express

A car accident is stressful anywhere, but in the Bronx it comes with extra pressure: honking traffic on the Bruckner, narrow side streets, double-parked trucks and nowhere to pull over. Knowing what to do in the first few minutes, and in the days after, makes the whole thing a lot easier to handle.

Bronx Towing Express has been helping drivers after crashes across the Bronx and NYC since 2010, and we answer 24/7. Here's a clear, step-by-step guide to what to do after a car accident in the Bronx, from the scene to the paperwork.

Step 1: Check for Injuries and Call 911 if Anyone Is Hurt

Safety comes first. Check yourself, your passengers and the people in the other car. If anyone is hurt, call 911 right away. According to the New York State DMV, if a person is injured or killed you are legally required to notify the police immediately, and leaving the scene of a crash that causes injury is a crime.

Even if you feel fine, adrenaline can hide pain. If something feels off later that day, get checked out.

Step 2: Make the Scene Safe

If the cars can move and no one is hurt, get out of the travel lane when it's safe to do so. On a highway like the Cross Bronx or the Major Deegan, stopping in a live lane is dangerous for everyone.

  • Turn on your hazard lights
  • Move to the shoulder or a side street if you can
  • Use flares or reflective triangles if you have them, especially at night
  • Stay away from moving traffic while you wait

If your car can't be moved, or it's leaking fluid, smoking or sitting at a strange angle, leave it where it is and call for help. Our accident recovery towing team can clear a wrecked car safely so you're not stuck blocking a lane.

Step 3: Exchange Information With the Other Driver

Stay calm and keep it simple. You don't need to argue about who caused it at the scene. The NY DMV says that in a property-damage-only crash you must exchange driver license, insurance and registration information with the other drivers involved. Get:

  • Full name and phone number
  • Driver license number
  • Insurance company and policy number
  • License plate number
  • Make, model and color of the car
  • The location and time of the crash

If the other driver won't share their information, or seems impaired, call the police.

Step 4: Take Photos and Notes

Your phone is your best tool after a crash. Take photos of:

  • Damage to every car involved, from several angles
  • The license plates
  • The whole scene, including street signs, traffic lights and lane markings
  • Skid marks, broken glass or debris
  • Road conditions like rain, snow, ice or potholes

Write down what happened while it's fresh, and get names and numbers from any witnesses. Small details help a lot when you talk to your insurance company.

Step 5: Decide if Your Car Is Safe to Drive

Some fender-benders look worse than they are, and some look minor but aren't. Don't drive the car if:

  • It's leaking fluid
  • A wheel is bent, wobbling or rubbing
  • Lights or mirrors you need are broken
  • Warning lights came on after the crash
  • The airbags went off
  • The hood or a door won't close

Driving a damaged car can make the damage worse or cause a second accident. A flatbed tow is the safest way to move a car with wheel, suspension or frame damage, since all four wheels ride on the bed instead of rolling on the road.

Step 6: Get Your Car Towed Where You Want It

After a crash, you usually have a say in where your car goes. You can have it taken to your own mechanic, a body shop you trust, your home, or wherever your insurance company asks. Ask questions before your car is hooked up so you know where it's going.

When you call Bronx Towing Express, tell us where you are, what happened, what kind of car you have and where you want it taken. We'll send a truck that's right for the job, day or night.

If it was just a minor bump and the car only needs a jump or a tire change to get moving, our roadside assistance service may be all you need.

Step 7: File a Crash Report With the NY DMV if Required

This is the step a lot of drivers miss. Under Section 605 of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, you must file a Report of Motor Vehicle Crash (form MV-104) within 10 days if:

  • Anyone was injured or killed, or
  • There's more than $1,000 in damage to the property of any one person, including yourself

The NY DMV driver's manual points out that reporting the crash to your insurance company doesn't count as filing with the DMV. Not filing is a misdemeanor, and the DMV can suspend your license or registration until the report is on file. You can file online through the DMV's crash report page or mail the MV-104 form. Body work adds up fast, so if you're unsure whether the damage passes the threshold, it's safer to file.

The DMV also notes that a crash listed on your record does not mean you were at fault.

Step 8: Call Your Insurance Company

Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as you can. Have your photos, the other driver's information and any police report number ready. Ask your insurer about towing and rental coverage on your policy, and keep receipts for anything you pay for along the way.

A Quick After-Accident Checklist for Your Glove Box

Keep a copy of this list in your car:

  1. Check for injuries and call 911 if needed
  2. Turn on hazards and move to safety if possible
  3. Exchange license, insurance and registration info
  4. Take photos of the cars, plates and scene
  5. Get witness names and numbers
  6. Don't drive a car that isn't safe
  7. Call a tow company you trust
  8. File the MV-104 within 10 days if required
  9. Call your insurance company

When a Crash Isn't the Only Problem

Sometimes an accident comes with other trouble, like a car that was hit while parked, broken windows or missing wheels. If your parked car was vandalized, the DMV's MV-104 form says to contact local police instead of filing a crash report. We also help with vandalism towing and stolen wheels towing when your car can't be driven.

Bronx Towing Express Is Here After an Accident, 24/7

You can't plan for a crash, but you can know who to call. Bronx Towing Express is based at 1458 Bruckner Blvd, Bronx, NY 10473, and we've been helping local drivers since 2010. We answer day and night and cover the Bronx, Upper Manhattan and nearby Westchester. See all of our towing and roadside services or check the areas we serve.

Call for a Quote: (646) 846-0602

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Just had an accident? Request a tow or call (646) 846-0602 any time, 24/7.

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