Car Accident Lawyer Serving Manhattan

November 3, 2026 | By William Mattar Accident Lawyers
Car Accident Lawyer Serving Manhattan

What should you do after a car accident in Manhattan?

Get medical care first. Then send written notice to the no-fault insurer as soon as reasonably practicable; the outside limit is 30 days after the accident, unless you submit written proof giving a clear and reasonable justification for missing it. If you were driving and the crash killed or injured anyone, or caused more than $1,000 in damage to any one person's property, file a written report with the New York State DMV on form MV-104 within 10 days. For the first 30 days after the police report is filed, the precinct where the collision occurred can provide a copy on request.

Key facts

  • New York County is also known as Manhattan.
  • The principal facility of New York County Supreme Court, Civil Term is the New York County Courthouse at 60 Centre Street; some Justices' chambers and courtrooms are at 80 Centre Street, 111 Centre Street and 71 Thomas Street.
  • The Civil Court of the City of New York for New York County is at 111 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013; the Civil Court's general civil cases cover claims for money up to $50,000, not counting interest and costs.
  • NYC DOT's January 2, 2026 release counted 39 Manhattan traffic deaths in 2025, down 11 percent from 44 in 2024.
Image for pageImage to use (Envato). Envato Elements search for Manhattan street traffic Pick a photo with no recognizable people or readable license plates.Alt text to set on the image: Traffic on a Manhattan street

How does an injury claim against the City of New York work?

Anyone who believes the City caused an injury through a wrongful action or inaction can file a personal injury claim with the New York City Comptroller, and the notice of claim has a 90-day deadline that runs from the date of the incident. The Comptroller's Office is at 1 Centre Street, Room 1225, New York, New York 10007; notices can be filed there in person, mailed there by registered or certified mail, or filed online through the Comptroller's website. After filing, a claim number is assigned and sent to the claimant. Thirty days must pass after filing, and any demand to appear at a hearing and give testimony must be complied with, before a lawsuit can be filed; the suit itself is due within 1 year and 90 days of the incident.

What changes when the New York City Transit Authority is involved?

Actions against the New York City Transit Authority are subject to Public Authorities Law § 1212. Except in a wrongful death action, no tort action can be brought against the authority unless a notice of claim was first served on it in line with General Municipal Law § 50-e, whose deadline is ninety days after the claim arises. The action itself must be commenced no later than one year and ninety days after the event on which the claim is based.

Which insurance minimums apply to Manhattan taxis and for-hire cars?

Under TLC rules, as summarized in the Taxi and Limousine Commission's chart updated March 3, 2026, a medallion taxi seating 1 to 7 passengers must carry at least $100,000 per person, $300,000 per occurrence and $10,000 property damage, and the same three minimums apply to livery vehicles and black cars seating 1 to 7.

How else can you get the NYPD collision report?

For reports taken after September 30, 2016, the NYPD offers its online Collision Report Retrieval Portal, but a report may not be available there until up to seven business days after the incident. To request by mail, fill out two copies of the Request for Copy of Collision Record and send them to the precinct of occurrence, enclosing a photocopy of valid picture ID plus a self-addressed stamped envelope. Once the 30-day precinct period ends, requests go to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles on form MV-198C.

Frequently asked questions

How do you reach William Mattar, P.C. from Manhattan?

By phone at (844) 444-4444, the number used for every location.

What happens if the MV-104 is not filed on time?

The DMV form states that failing to file within 10 days is a misdemeanor and that the license and/or registration may be suspended until a report is filed.

Does the Civil Court have a part for smaller claims?

Yes. The Civil Court's Small Claims Part hears cases seeking money up to $10,000.

About William Mattar, P.C.

William Mattar, P.C., founded by William K. Mattar in Williamsville, NY, in 1990, focuses on injuries from motor vehicle accidents. The initial case consultation is free, with no obligation.

Sources

  • NY.gov, New York County: https://www.ny.gov/counties/new-york
  • NYS Unified Court System, New York County Supreme Court, Civil Term, Facilities & Directions: https://www.nycourts.gov/courts/new-york-county-supreme-court-civil-term/facilities-directions
  • NYS Unified Court System, Civil Court of the City of New York, locations: https://nycourts.gov/courtsnyccivil/locations_civil.shtml and https://nycourts.gov/courtsnyccivil/addresses.shtml
  • 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
  • NYS Unified Court System, Civil Court of the City of New York: https://nycourts.gov/courts/nyc/civil/
  • New York City Civil Court Act § 201: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/CCA/201
  • 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 with the New York City Comptroller (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 November 2026.