How To Make a Police Report After a Car Accident

Whenever you get into a car accident, it is best practice to file a police report. Police reports are valuable evidence for future insurance claims and lawsuits. The information contained in the report can support your case and help you recover full damages.  If you don’t file a police report, you could risk your right to compensation after a car accident. Furthermore, you could open yourself up to liability risk if there is a question about who caused the crash.  

When Do You Have To Report An Accident In Seattle?

You may not be legally obligated to report minor car accidents to the police. However, it is always recommended as a precaution.  You are legally required to report a non-minor accident if:  

• Someone got hurt, died, or needs medical assistance, or 
• There are over $1,000 in damages 

When someone gets hurt, you need to call 911 so that emergency services respond to the accident. You must do this even if you didn’t cause the crash and even if the injuries seem minor. Often, minor injuries can become severe if they aren’t treated immediately. If there is over $1,000 in damage but no one is hurt, you have four days to file a report online if the police aren’t called to the scene.  Most people file a police report when the police are called after an accident. When police respond to a car crash, they automatically write a report. However, if the police aren’t called to an accident, there are other ways to file a report.

Filing a Police Report In Person 

You can always file a police report in person. To do so, you will go to a Seattle Police Department precinct and tell them you wish to report a car crash. The officer will take down your information and the details of the report. 

Filing a Police Report Online 

Another way is to file a police report online. You can make a report through the Washington State Patrol website.  The website will ask for information such as:

• The date and time of the accident
• The location of the crash
• If police responded
• The weather conditions 
• Type of cars involved in the crash
• Description of what happened
• Witness information
• Your information 

Once you submit the report, an officer can investigate the crash. This may take several weeks in certain cases. Then, you can request a copy of the report for insurance purposes for a small fee. If you hire a car accident lawyer, they can request the report on your behalf.

What Goes Into a Police Report

A lot of information goes into a police report. There are usually many additional details besides what you tell the police. The police will investigate the crash and include information that they deem relevant. This includes who may be liable.  Most police reports include:

• All involved drivers’ statements
• Witness statements
• Police observations
• Crash diagram
• Photographs 
• Geographic location
• Date and time
• Relevant weather conditions 

Some police reports are short and straightforward, especially if what happened is clear and there is minor damage. For example, if a driver hits a lawfully parked car, it’s fairly obvious that the driver is at fault. However, police reports may be much longer in other circumstances. For example in serious accidents that cause catastrophic injuries or death. This is because the police officer may be preparing for a lawsuit and potential criminal charges. They know that the report will be scrutinized and used in court. It is important that they precisely document the crash and all relevant details.

Police Reports Are a Crucial Part of Car Accident Claims

After an accident, a police report can be used in many different ways.  An insurance company could use the police report as evidence while investigating who is at fault for a crash. A prosecutor may rely on the police report to prove that a defendant is guilty of a crime like a hit-and-run or DUI crash, or a defense attorney may use it to defend their client. Furthermore, a judge may review the police report as evidence in a personal injury lawsuit.  If you have any questions about the police report after a crash, contact a Seattle car accident attorney for advice.

Contact an Experienced Seattle Car Accident Attorney For Help With Your Claim

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 (206) 727 4000 Hours: Open 24/7