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Nominate a deserving Seattle teacher for the Davis Law Group Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers School Supplies Program Learn More
Any time a car accident occurs, whether someone is injured, property is damaged, or both, you may find yourself dealing with insurance providers as you try to cover costs for car repairs, medical bills, and lost wages. Even in cases of parking lot accidents where someone backs into you at a slow speed, for example, damage could ensue. If it wasn’t your fault, you shouldn’t have to pay. However, you may wonder if it’s worth calling the police after a minor fender bender. Before you decide, you need to answer a critical question: Can I file a claim without a police report?
The simple answer is yes, but before you opt to file an insurance claim without a police report, you need to understand why it’s better to have one. First and foremost, a police report can help to establish which driver is at fault for an accident. Insurance providers use this information to determine who pays for what. Can you submit a claim after an accident without a police report? You certainly can, but without one, it might just be your word against the other driver, in which case the at-fault party’s insurer could deny your claim. A police report that shows you’re not at fault can be an important piece of evidence for negotiating a settlement.
Before you try to figure out how to file a claim without a police report, you need to know when reporting is required by law. In Washington State, any collision that results in bodily injury or property damage of $1,000 or more must be reported to the Washington State Patrol. If the police respond to the scene of the accident, they will take statements and file a collision report. If the police are not called to the scene, any drivers involved are required to submit a report within four days. You may submit your report online. If you suffer only minor damage, you might not feel the need to call the police to the scene, and when it comes to the question, “Can you file a claim without a police report?” you may decide to move ahead without one. However, there are circumstances when a report is required, and you must follow the law.
Plenty of drivers want to know: Can you file an accident claim without a police report? Now that you understand when to call the police and file a report, the next question is how to get your hands on the report for insurance or legal purposes. Washington State makes it easy with an online request form. You simply fill in the collision report number, if you have it, or enter your first and last name and the collision date to search for your report. Searches are free, but you will have to pay a small fee to purchase the report.
Insurance providers can be notoriously difficult when it comes to paying out on claims. The more evidence you have to support your claim, the better chance you have to negotiate for a fair settlement offer. Can you file a car accident claim without a police report? Yes, but whether you’re involved in a minor rear-end crash or a major head-on collision, recovering the compensation you deserve is easier when you have a police report showing that the other party is at fault.
If you’ve been injured in Seattle, WA, and need legal assistance, contact Davis Law Group Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers. Contact our legal team and schedule a free consultation with a Car Accident lawyer today. We proudly serve King County in Washington and it’s surrounding areas. Visit our law office at:
Davis Law Group Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers
2101 4th Ave 1030 Seattle, WA 98121
Hours: Open 24/7
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