Step 1: Check for injuries and get to safety

Your health and safety come first. Check yourself and anyone else involved for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 right away and request medical help.

After a head-on crash, do not move anyone with neck or back pain unless the vehicle is unsafe — wait for the ambulance and let responders handle it.

• If it is safe to do so, move vehicles out of active traffic lanes to the shoulder or a nearby lot.
• Turn on your hazard lights and set out flares or reflective triangles if you have them.
• Stay at the scene. Leaving the scene of an accident involving injury or property damage is against New York law.

Even if you feel fine, adrenaline can mask pain, and some injuries from a collision may not be obvious in the first minutes or hours.

Step 2: Call the police and get a report

In New York, you are required to report a motor vehicle accident to the police when there is an injury, a death, or property damage. Calling the police creates an official police accident report, which is an important document for your No-Fault claim and for your insurer.

If the other driver appears impaired, say so to the responding officer and keep your account factual — the observation belongs in the police report, not in a roadside argument.

• Wait for the officer, and ask how to obtain a copy of the report or the report number.
• Give a factual account of what happened. Stick to what you observed and avoid guessing or admitting fault.
• If police do not respond to a collision that caused property damage of more than $1,000 to any one person, New York requires drivers to file form MV-104 with the DMV within 10 days.

Step 3: Exchange information and document the scene

Collect the details you will need for your claim while everyone is still present:

In a multi-vehicle pileup collect this from every driver you can reach, not just the car directly in front of or behind you, because which policy pays may not be obvious at the scene.

• Names, phone numbers, addresses, and driver’s license numbers of every driver.
• Insurance company names and policy numbers for each vehicle.
• License plate numbers, and the year, make, and model of each vehicle.
• Names and phone numbers of any witnesses.

Use your phone to photograph vehicle damage, the position of the cars, the road and weather conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. This documentation can support both your medical claim and the record insurers and attorneys review.

Step 4: See a doctor promptly — the 30-day rule

New York’s No-Fault law includes an important deadline: you generally must submit your written No-Fault application (form NF-2) to the insurer within 30 days of the accident. Seeking care promptly supports your claim, and waiting too long to file can affect your eligibility for benefits even when your injuries are real.

Seeing a doctor early also helps in two ways: it starts a medical record that connects your injuries to the crash, and it lets your care team evaluate for problems like whiplash, a herniated disc, sciatica, or nerve involvement that may not cause symptoms immediately. Injury Recovery MD often has same-day and next-day appointments available across Long Island so you can be evaluated without unnecessary delay.

Our offices are multi-specialty — coordinating orthopedics, physical therapy, chiropractic, and pain management in one plan — and we bill New York No-Fault directly. For eligible patients, No-Fault typically covers medically necessary care up to your policy limits, so most patients have little or no out-of-pocket cost. Call (631) 560-8357 and we can help confirm what your coverage includes.

Step 5: File your No-Fault application (form NF-2)

To access No-Fault benefits, you must submit an Application for Motor Vehicle No-Fault Benefits — form NF-2 to the insurer of the vehicle you were in (or, as a pedestrian, the vehicle that struck you). This generally must reach the insurance company within 30 days of the accident.

• Contact the insurance carrier to report the accident and request the NF-2 form.
• Complete it accurately with the accident date, description, and your information, and keep a copy for your records.
• The insurer assigns a claim number that your medical providers use for billing.

Once your claim is open, Injury Recovery MD can bill your No-Fault coverage directly and provide the documentation your insurer requires. Questions about legal deadlines, your rights, or fault are best directed to an attorney — we are a medical provider, not a law firm.

Step 6: Keep documenting your injuries and recovery

Consistent records help your care team and support your claim over time. As you recover:

• Attend your scheduled appointments and follow your treatment plan.
• Keep a simple log of your symptoms, pain levels, and how the injury affects daily activities and work.
• Save copies of medical paperwork, receipts, and any correspondence with insurers.
• Tell your care team about new or worsening symptoms so they can adjust your plan and order tests such as imaging or EMG nerve testing when appropriate.

Whether your injury involves your neck or back, our team maintains thorough records that attorneys and insurers commonly rely on. See our Long Island locations or meet the medical team, then call (631) 560-8357.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to see a doctor after a car accident in New York?

Under New York’s No-Fault law, you generally must submit your No-Fault application (form NF-2) to the insurer within 30 days of the accident. Seeking care promptly also helps document that your injuries are related to the crash and supports your claim. Injury Recovery MD often has same-day and next-day appointments available across Long Island.

What is the NF-2 form and who do I send it to?

The NF-2 is the Application for Motor Vehicle No-Fault Benefits. You submit it to the insurer of the vehicle you were riding in (or, if you were a pedestrian, the vehicle that struck you), and it generally must reach the carrier within 30 days of the accident. The insurer assigns a claim number your medical providers use for billing.

Will I have to pay for treatment after a car accident?

When your care is covered under New York No-Fault, Injury Recovery MD bills your No-Fault insurance directly. No-Fault generally covers medically necessary treatment for eligible patients up to your policy limits, so most patients have little or no out-of-pocket cost. Coverage depends on your eligibility and policy terms, which we can help confirm when you call and open a claim number with your insurer.

Do I need a police report after a minor accident?

New York requires reporting an accident that involves injury, death, or property damage. If police do not respond to a collision that caused more than $1,000 in property damage to any one person, drivers must file form MV-104 with the DMV within 10 days. A report is valuable documentation for your No-Fault claim.

Should I talk to a lawyer after my accident?

Injury Recovery MD is a medical provider, not a law firm, so we cannot give legal advice. For questions about fault, legal deadlines, or your rights, it is best to consult an attorney. We focus on your medical evaluation, treatment, and the documentation your insurer and any attorney may need.