Car Accident Lawyer Serving Queens

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

What deadlines apply after a car accident in Queens?

Written notice must go 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. If you were driving, you must send a written report to the New York State DMV within ten 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, a notice of claim must be filed with the New York City Comptroller within 90 days of the incident, and the lawsuit must be filed within 1 year and 90 days. An injury action against the New York City Transit Authority cannot be commenced more than one year and ninety days after the event.

Key facts

  • Supreme Court, Queens County, Civil Term lists two courthouses: the Jamaica Courthouse at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435, and the Long Island City Courthouse at 25-10 Court Square, Long Island City, NY 11101.
  • The Civil Court of the City of New York for Queens County is at 89-17 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435, and its general civil cases are those seeking money up to $50,000, exclusive of interest and costs.
  • NYC DOT reported that traffic deaths in Queens fell from 74 in 2024 to 57 in 2025.
Image for pageImage to use (Envato). Envato Elements search for Queens New York street traffic Pick a photo with no recognizable people or readable license plates.Alt text to set on the image: Traffic on a street in Queens, New York

How do you get the NYPD collision report for a Queens crash?

For the first 30 days, the report is held at the precinct where the collision occurred, and you can ask for a copy there in person or by mail. Bring a valid photo ID if you go in person; by mail, send two completed copies of the Request for Copy of Collision Record with a photocopy of your photo ID and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Reports taken after September 30, 2016 can also be requested online through the NYPD's Collision Report Retrieval Portal, where a report may take up to seven business days from the date of the incident to appear. Once 30 days have passed, the request goes to the New York State DMV on form MV-198C.

How does a claim against the City of New York work?

The Comptroller takes personal injury claims from people who believe the City caused their injury through a wrongful action or inaction. The notice of claim can be filed online through the Comptroller's website, in person, or by registered or certified mail to the Office of the New York City Comptroller, 1 Centre Street, Room 1225, New York, NY 10007. A claim number is assigned after filing, and you may be required to appear at a hearing to give testimony. Before filing a lawsuit, you must wait 30 days after filing the notice of claim and comply with any hearing demand.

An injury claim against the New York City Transit Authority follows Public Authorities Law § 1212 instead: the notice of claim must be served on the authority in compliance with General Municipal Law § 50-e, which sets a deadline of 90 days after the claim arises.

What insurance must taxis and livery cars carry?

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

Frequently asked questions

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

No. William Mattar, P.C. lists New York City among its intake locations. One phone number, (844) 444-4444, reaches every location.

Can the Comptroller settle a claim after you sue the City?

No. The Comptroller's Office cannot settle claims after 1 year and 90 days have passed or after a lawsuit has been filed.

Do you need a separate request for each crash report?

Yes. The NYPD's Request for Copy of Collision Record form says a separate application is required for each record.

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

  • NYS Unified Court System, Supreme Court Queens County, Civil Term: https://www.nycourts.gov/courts/11jd/supreme/civilterm/
  • NYS Unified Court System, Queens County Supreme Civil Court (accessibility page): https://ww2.nycourts.gov/ACCESSIBILITY/counties/ADAbycounty-queens-supreme-civil-jamaica.shtml
  • NYS Unified Court System, Civil Court of the City of New York (Queens): https://nycourts.gov/courts/nyc/civil/directionsQueens.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
  • NYPD, Request for Copy of Collision Record (PD 301-165): https://www.nyc.gov/assets/nypd/downloads/pdf/request_report.pdf
  • 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.