Washington motorists must report collisions if law enforcement does not do so, and collisions involving personal injury are investigated by the Washington Department of Transportation (DOT).
All collision reports in Washington are filed with the Washington DOT. If police do not investigate a collision, the drivers involved must file a collision report. You can pick up the report form at a DOT office, a law enforcement office, or a Driver Licensing Office. The information from these reports is added to the parties’ driving records, including the following information:
- Date of collision
- Number of vehicles and people involved
- Whether vehicles were moving or parked
- Whether there were any injuries or fatalities
The driving record merely indicates the motorist was involved in the accident, not who was found to be at fault.
If a collision results in personal injury, death, or more than $700 in property damage, the Washington DOT will review the information to determine whether any driver involved was uninsured and whether there is potential for a judgment against the uninsured driver. This is yet another reason it is important to have at least the minimum liability insurance required for registered vehicles the state.
Washington drivers may obtain a copy of a collision report by requesting it from the DOT using a Request for Copy of Collision Report form. Send the completed form and a $5 fee to the following address:
Washington State Department of Transportation Collision Records Request Section
P.O. Box 47382
Olympia, WA 98504-7382
If you have sustained injuries in a Washington auto accident, you are welcome to contact our firm for a free initial consultations. Our attorneys have experience dealing with WA auto accidents.
