Collision reporting

  • If a law enforcement officer investigates the collision, you don’t need to complete a collision report. The investigating officer will file the collision report. However, you always have the option of filing a report.
  • 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.

What collision information goes on a driving record

We add the following collision 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 legally parked or moving.
  • Whether the vehicles were occupied at the time of the collision.
  • Whether the collision resulted in any injury or fatality.

The collision information on the driving record only indicates the person was involved in a collision, not that they were “at fault” or caused the collision.

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.

How to get collision information from your driving record

If you have questions about the collision information on your driving record, send us an email or letter with the following information:

  • Your full name and date of birth.
  • Collision date.
  • Mailing address, phone number, or email address where you want us to respond.
  • Your questions.

Please send your email to intaccinq@dol.wa.gov, or mail your letter to:

Accident Processing Unit
Department of Licensing
PO Box 9030
Olympia, WA 98507-9030

How to request another driver’s insurance information

If you have been in a collision and were injured or received a minimum of $700 in property damage, you may request any information we have on record showing the other driver or vehicle owner’s proof of insurance.

The fee for this information is $10. Please send us a written request with the following information:

  • Name of the driver and/or vehicle owner
  • Driver or vehicle owner’s date of birth and driver license number (if known)
  • Date of collision
  • Collision report number

Mail your request with a check or money order for the fee to:

Accident Processing Unit
Department of Licensing
PO Box 9048
Olympia, WA 98507-9048

How to report uncompensated damages from a collision

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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