Police & ForensicsResponding to a crash and filing the report
At a crash the officer protects the scene, cares for the injured, interviews drivers and witnesses and files the state crash report. This guide follows a published police general order and the New York DMV manual for form MV-104P.
Free to startArrive and protect the scene
Go to the scene without delay and position the patrol car with emergency lights to protect it. Identify and care for the injured, request fire and EMS as needed, check for fire and hazardous materials, and control traffic so no second collision happens.
Interview and document
Interview every driver, get the identification and statements of witnesses, and check licenses, registrations and insurance. In New York the six-page MV-104P is filed when someone dies or is hurt or damage is over 1,000 dollars, with the damage codes and a diagram of the crash.
Serious and fatal crashes
Certified accident investigators, reconstruction officers and forensic scan teams come in; the suspect is interviewed only after alcohol or drug testing, and the early notice goes to the DMV within 24 hours. Practice the whole response free with Blocky.
Official sources
The crash report
The P-33 submission instructions explain every box of form MV-104P; the DMV notice P-12026 retired the paper MV-104A and MV-104AN after May 31, 2026.
A real crash procedure
General Order 3.4.10 sets out what the officer does at a crash, from protecting the scene to the fatal crash investigation.
The national crash data standard
The MMUCC Guideline, 6th Edition is the voluntary guideline, in place since 1998, with the minimum standardized data that describes a crash.
Making Synapses is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by NHTSA, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, the Albany Police Department or any law enforcement agency. Agency and form names are named only to describe the content.