Car Accident Lawyer Serving Brooklyn

October 31, 2026 | By William Mattar Accident Lawyers
Car Accident Lawyer Serving Brooklyn

What should you do after a car accident in Brooklyn?

Get medical care first. Then get a copy of the NYPD collision report; give written notice to the no-fault insurer as soon as reasonably practicable and no more than 30 days after the accident, unless you can give written proof of a clear and reasonable justification for the delay; and, if you were driving, report the crash to the New York State DMV in writing on form MV-104 within 10 days if anyone was killed or injured or any one person's property damage is over $1,000. For an injury claim against the City of New York, the notice of claim must be filed with the New York City Comptroller within 90 days of the incident.

Key facts

  • Brooklyn has the same boundaries as Kings County.
  • Kings County Supreme Court, Civil Term is at 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201.
  • The Civil Court of the City of New York, Kings County, is at 141 Livingston Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201, and handles general civil cases seeking money up to $50,000, exclusive of interest and costs.
  • NYC DOT reported that traffic deaths in Brooklyn fell from 69 in 2024 to 63 in 2025.
Image for pageImage to use (Envato). Envato Elements search for Brooklyn street traffic Pick a photo with no recognizable people or readable license plates.Alt text to set on the image: Traffic on a Brooklyn street

How do you get an NYPD crash report in Brooklyn?

During the first 30 days after the report is filed, you can request a copy at the precinct where the collision happened, either in person with a valid photo ID or by mail. By mail, send two completed copies of the Request for Copy of Collision Record to the precinct, with a photocopy of your photo ID and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The NYPD's Collision Report Retrieval Portal gives online access to collision reports taken after September 30, 2016; a report can take up to seven business days from the date of the incident to appear there. After 30 days, collision reports are forwarded to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, and requests go to the DMV on form MV-198C.

What if a City vehicle or a New York City Transit Authority vehicle was involved?

The New York City Comptroller accepts personal injury claims from people who believe the City caused their injury through a wrongful action or inaction. A notice of claim can be filed online on the Comptroller's website, in person, or by registered or certified mail to 1 Centre Street, Room 1225, New York, NY 10007. You may be required to attend a hearing to give testimony about the claim, and you must wait 30 days after filing and comply with any hearing demand before filing a lawsuit. The lawsuit must be filed within 1 year and 90 days of the date of the incident.

For an injury claim against the New York City Transit Authority, Public Authorities Law § 1212 requires a notice of claim served on the authority in compliance with General Municipal Law § 50-e, which sets a deadline of 90 days after the claim arises, and the action cannot be commenced more than one year and ninety days after the event.

What insurance must taxis and livery cars carry?

Under the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission's chart of minimum insurance (updated March 3, 2026), medallion taxis and livery vehicles and black cars seating 1 to 7 passengers must carry at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence for bodily injury, plus $10,000 for property damage.

Frequently asked questions

Does William Mattar, P.C. have an office in Brooklyn?

No. William Mattar, P.C. lists New York City among its intake locations. The firm uses one phone number for every location: (844) 444-4444.

Can you email a notice of claim to the City?

No. The Comptroller's Office says notices of claim cannot be filed by email.

What happens if you file the MV-104 late?

The DMV's MV-104 form says failure to report within 10 days is a misdemeanor, and your license and/or registration may be suspended until a report is filed.

About William Mattar, P.C.

William Mattar, P.C. was founded in 1990 by William K. Mattar in Williamsville, NY, and focuses on motor vehicle accident cases. The initial case consultation is free.

Sources

  • NY.gov, Kings County: https://www.ny.gov/counties/kings
  • NYS Unified Court System, Kings County Supreme Court, Civil Term: https://ww2.nycourts.gov/courts/2jd/kings/civil/index.shtml
  • NYS Unified Court System, Civil Court of the City of New York (Kings): https://nycourts.gov/courts/nyc/civil/directionsKings.shtml and https://nycourts.gov/courts/nyc/civil/
  • New York City Civil Court Act § 201: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/CCA/201
  • NYC DOT, "Traffic Deaths Reach All-time Low" (January 2, 2026): https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/pr2026/traffic-deaths-reach-all-time-low.shtml
  • NYPD, Motor Vehicle Collision Reports: https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/services/vehicles-property/reports.page
  • NYC 311, Vehicle Accident Report: https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-03073
  • New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 605: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/VAT/605
  • NYS DMV, Form MV-104: https://dmv.ny.gov/forms/mv104.pdf
  • NYC Comptroller, Personal Injury Claims: https://comptroller.nyc.gov/services/for-the-public/claims/personal-injury/
  • NYC Comptroller, Filing a Claim (January 2026): https://comptroller.nyc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Filing-a-Claim-with-the-New-York-City-Comptroller-2026.pdf
  • New York General Municipal Law § 50-e: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GMU/50-E
  • New York Public Authorities Law § 1212: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PBA/1212
  • 11 NYCRR 65-1.1 (Regulation 68, NYS Department of Financial Services): https://www.dfs.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2024/08/reg68_11_nycrr_65_full_txt.pdf
  • NYC TLC, Vehicle Insurance Requirements (updated March 3, 2026): https://www.nyc.gov/assets/tlc/downloads/pdf/veh_insurance_req.pdf

Attorney Advertising. This page provides general information about New York law and is not legal advice for any specific situation. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Last updated October 2026.