Yes! You can use AI to fill out Form MV-104, Report of Motor Vehicle Accident

This form requires filers to look up numeric codes for weather, road conditions, traffic controls, and vehicle actions in Section B and enter them into small, numbered boxes on page 1. Many people overlook this or find it confusing, leaving the boxes blank. An incomplete report without these codes will be rejected, potentially leading to a license suspension for failure to file a complete report. To avoid this, carefully cross-reference Section B for every numbered box and ensure the correct code is entered.

The section 'How did the accident happen?' and the accident diagram are often filled out with insufficient or subjective detail. People may write a confusing story or fail to draw a clear diagram with vehicles properly numbered. This ambiguity can complicate insurance claims and liability assessments. To prevent this, provide a concise, chronological, and factual account of the events, and use the diagram space to clearly illustrate vehicle positions and movements at the time of impact.

Filers often provide incomplete insurance details, such as omitting the specific policy number or the 3-digit 'Ins. Code' required by the NYS DMV. This often happens when the insurance card is not readily available. Submitting a report without complete and accurate insurance information is a serious error that can lead to the rejection of the form and penalties for driving without proof of financial responsibility. Always have your most current insurance ID card handy when filling out the form to copy the information exactly.

An unsigned or undated report is considered invalid and will not be accepted as filed. In the stress of completing the detailed form, it is very common for the driver of Vehicle 1 (or their representative) to forget the final signature and date at the bottom of page 1. This oversight results in the DMV sending a 'Failure to Report' notice, which can lead to a driver's license suspension. Always double-check the bottom of page 1 before mailing.

The form has separate sections for the 'Driver' and the 'Registrant' (registered owner), which can be confusing if they are not the same person, or tedious if they are. People may incorrectly enter driver information in the registrant section or leave the registrant section blank if they are also the driver. This leads to an incomplete report because the DMV needs to verify information for both the operator and the legal owner of the vehicle. Ensure both sections are filled out completely and accurately, even if it means repeating information.

The form requires checking a box to estimate damage costs, with a key threshold being $1,000 for any one person's property. People often guess this amount, potentially underestimating the damage and failing to file a legally required report, which is a misdemeanor. Conversely, a significant overestimation might cause unnecessary complications. To avoid this, if the damage appears to be near the threshold, it is safest to get a preliminary estimate or to file the report to be compliant with the law.

The 'Place Where Accident Occurred' section is complex, offering multiple ways to describe the location. Users often provide vague information, like 'Main Street,' without a cross-street or landmark, or they incorrectly fill out the distance/direction fields. An imprecise location makes the report difficult for authorities to process and can cause issues if the report is needed for legal proceedings. Be as specific as possible, using full street names, route numbers, and a clear intersecting street or landmark.

The instructions state to enter an 'X' for unknown information or a dash '-' if a question does not apply. Many filers simply leave fields blank, which the DMV may interpret as an incomplete form rather than a 'not applicable' or 'unknown' answer. This can cause the report to be rejected and returned for correction, delaying the process. To ensure acceptance, go through every field and enter a dash or 'X' as instructed if you don't have the specific information.

The form repeatedly instructs to enter names and addresses 'exactly as printed on license' or 'exactly as printed on registration.' A common mistake is using a nickname, a current address that isn't on the license yet, or abbreviating names. These discrepancies cause data mismatches in the DMV's system, leading to processing delays or rejection of the form. Always have your driver's license and vehicle registration in front of you and transcribe the information precisely as it appears.

The form's layout is optimized for a two-vehicle accident, but people struggle when a pedestrian, bicyclist, or a third vehicle is involved. They may fail to check the correct box ('PEDESTRIAN', 'BICYCLIST') or try to cram information for a third vehicle into the margins instead of using a separate MV-104 form as instructed. This creates a confusing and inaccurate record. For any non-standard accident, it is critical to read Section A on page 2 for instructions on how to correctly report all involved parties.