What to do after a crash

Key points

1. You must stop after any crash, no matter how small the damage.

   Source: Chapter 12

   “If you are in a crash, you must stop. The level of damage does not matter. You must stop.”
   New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 12

2. Leaving the scene of a property damage crash is a traffic violation; leaving one with injury or death is a crime.

   Source: Chapter 12

   “It is a traffic violation to leave the scene of an incident, like a traffic crash that involves property damage. It is a criminal violation to leave the scene of an incident that involves a fatality or personal injury.”
   New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 12

3. Even with only property damage, exchange your name, address, license number, registration and insurance information.

   Source: Chapter 12

   “Even if the crash involves only property damage, you must exchange information with other drivers involved. Give your name, address, driver license number, vehicle registration, and insurance information.”
   New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 12

4. If a parked car or other property is damaged, or a domestic animal is hurt, try to find the owner or notify the police.

   Source: Chapter 12

   “If a parked vehicle or property different from a vehicle is damaged or if a domestic animal is injured, you must try to find the owner or notify the police.”
   New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 12

5. If anyone is injured or killed, the police must be notified immediately.

   Source: Chapter 12

   “If any person is injured or killed, the police must be notified immediately”
   New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 12

6. Do not move an injured person unless fire or another life threatening danger makes it necessary.

   Source: Chapter 12

   “Do not move an injured person unless it becomes necessary because of fire or another life threatening danger.”
   New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 12

7. Stay away from downed wires; if they touch or lie near a vehicle, the people inside should stay there until help arrives.

   Source: Chapter 12

   “If there are wires down, do not go near them. If wires touch the vehicle or lay near it, warn the occupants to remain inside until help arrives.”
   New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 12

8. Report to the DMV any crash with injury or death, or with $1000 or more in damage to any one person's property.

   Source: Chapter 12

   “If you are in a traffic crash that involves a fatality or personal injury, you must report it to the DMV. You must also report any traffic incident or crash that involves $1000 or more in damage to the property of any one person.”
   New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 12

9. File the DMV report within 10 days, even if you told your insurer; failing to report is a misdemeanor.

   Source: Chapter 12

   “You must file a report with DMV within 10 days of the event. The failure to report a crash is a criminal offense (misdemeanor)”
   New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 12

10. If the driver is injured and cannot complete the report, a passenger or the vehicle owner may do it.

    Source: Chapter 12

    “If the driver is injured and unable to complete the report, a passenger or the vehicle owner may do so.”
    New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 12

Numbers to know

3 questions from the New York practice test

1. 1. After a New York crash involving only property damage, what must the drivers do at the scene?

   1. Leave immediately if both vehicles can still be driven
   2. Stop and exchange identifying, registration, and insurance information
   3. Wait for a tow truck before stopping or speaking with the other driver
   4. Exchange names only and report the rest after repairs
   Show answer

   Stop and exchange identifying, registration, and insurance information. New York requires drivers involved in a crash to stop, even when no one appears injured and the damage is limited to vehicles. They must exchange names, addresses, driver license numbers, vehicle registration details, and insurance information. The leave-immediately option abandons the legal duty created by the collision, while names alone omit required records. If conditions permit, move the vehicles out of traffic after stopping, protect the scene, and then share the complete information safely.

2. 2. When must a New York crash be reported to the DMV because of property damage?

   1. Only when three vehicles are involved
   2. Only when the vehicle cannot be driven away
   3. When damage to any one person's property is $1,000 or more
   4. When repair estimates exceed $10,000 for all vehicles combined
   Show answer

   When damage to any one person's property is $1,000 or more. New York requires a DMV report for a traffic incident or crash involving $1,000 or more in damage to the property of any one person. The threshold is not limited to multivehicle crashes and does not depend on whether the car can still move. Adding damage across several owners is also not the stated test. The practical cue is to evaluate each person's property damage, then remember the separate 10-day filing deadline described by the manual.

3. 3. After a New York crash, what should occupants do if downed wires touch the vehicle or lie nearby?

   1. Exit on the side closest to the wires
   2. Move the wires away before leaving
   3. Remain inside and wait for help
   4. Push the vehicle clear of the wires
   Show answer

   Remain inside and wait for help. Downed electrical wires create a danger that can extend beyond the visible cable. If wires touch the vehicle or are lying near it, occupants should stay inside and warn one another not to approach until responders arrive. Exiting can expose a person to energized metal or ground current. The choice to move the wires is especially unsafe because a driver cannot know whether the line is live. Treat the vehicle as a shelter, call for assistance, and wait for trained personnel.

Source: the New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 12: If You Are in a Traffic Crash. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.