Collision reporting

Who files the collision report?

  • If a law enforcement officer investigates the collision
    You don’t need to complete a collision report. The investigating officer will file one.
  • If no law enforcement officer investigates the collision
    Each driver involved in the collision must submit a report within 4 days of the collision. You can get collision report forms from your local police department, county sheriff’s office, or Washington State Patrol detachment.

How to get a copy of a collision report

If you were involved in a collision and would like a copy of the collision report you or a law enforcement officer completed, you may request a copy from the Washington State Patrol.

Collision information included on a driving record

We add the following information to the driving record of all drivers involved in collisions where there was bodily injury or at least $700 in property damage to any one person’s property:

  • The collision date.
  • The number of vehicles involved.
  • Whether the vehicles were moving or not.
  • Whether the collision resulted in any injury or fatality.
  • Accident report number.

This information only indicates the person was involved in a collision, not who caused it.

How to report uncompensated damages from a collision with an uninsured driver

If an uninsured driver fails to pay collision damages, you may report it to us by completing a Motor Vehicle Collision Claim for Damages within 180 days of the collision

  • To qualify, the collision must have resulted in at least $700 in property damages or an injury.
  • If the uninsured driver fails to pay, we could suspend their driver license.

Related laws

 

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