Get a police report for a car accident from the Washington State Patrol (WSP), a county sheriff’s office, or a local police department. You can request your report online, through the mail, or in person. The report can serve as valuable evidence if you proceed with a car accident insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
Trust our Bellevue car accident lawyer to help you get a police report after an auto crash. If warranted, your lawyer can serve as your legal representative and advocate as you deal with the aftermath of your auto accident. They can use your police report and other evidence to prove that someone should be held liable for your accident and all associated losses.
How to Get a Police Report for a Car Accident in Washington State
Obtain a police report for your car accident in Washington online via the Washington Requests for Electronic Collision Reports (WRECR) website. You can search for your report for free on this site. There is a fee of $10.60 if you purchase a copy of your report through the website.
Receive a car accident police report through the mail by filling out a Request for Copy of Collision Report Form and sending it to WSP. Or, if you want to request a copy of your report in person, visit the county sheriff’s office in the county where you live or your local police department.
Have a car accident attorney who has a track record of success in cases similar to yours help you get your auto crash police report. Together, you and your lawyer can review your police report. Then, you can decide whether to take legal action against anyone responsible for your auto accident.
Why Should You Get a Police Report for Your Car Accident?
Getting a collision report after your car accident now can make a difference if you decide to seek compensatory damages as part of an auto insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Below are reasons to request a police report following your auto accident.
Your Police Report Establishes Liability
Contacting the police is one of the things you must do following a car accident. Once you notify the police about your accident, you can receive a report that provides an objective view of what happened. This report can show who is at fault for your accident and make it clear that someone else is to blame for it.
Your Police Report Includes Details About Your Car Accident Injuries and Property Damage
Ultimately, you can submit a claim for a car accident without a police report. Yet, if you do, it can be difficult to receive fair compensation for the costs of treating injuries you suffered in your accident and property damage from the incident.
Since your police report includes information about your injuries and property damage, it can help you prove that your claim is valid.
Your Police Report Shows That You Are in Compliance With the Law
In Washington, you must report collision damage to the police if a car crash results in property damage exceeding $1,000, injuries, or fatalities. You must do so within four days of a car accident if a police officer does not come to the scene. If you do not file a report, you could face penalties and encounter problems if you try to hold a liable party accountable for your accident.
When in doubt about whether to request a police report for your car collision, meet with an auto accident lawyer who has helped past clients achieve outstanding case results. Your lawyer will explain why it is in your best interests to inform the police about your accident and get a report right away.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Police Report for an Auto Accident?
It typically takes two to four weeks to receive a copy of your auto accident police report. The severity of your accident, the time and resources required to investigate the incident, the police department’s workload, and other factors will dictate how much time is required to complete your report.
An auto accident attorney will use your police report in conjunction with crash scene photos, witness statements, and other evidence to build your case against a responsible party. If your lawyer has a wide range of evidence, the party liable for your car crash or their insurer may struggle to dispute your claim.
Your lawyer can negotiate an auto crash settlement with a liable party’s insurance company. They can cite your police report and other evidence as they try to get you compensation that matches your expectations. Of course, if no insurance settlement is reached, your attorney can take your case to trial and share your police report and other proof with a judge or jury.
The Bottom Line on How to Get a Car Accident Police Report
Dial 911 at the scene of a car accident to report the incident to the police. If you do not, you can still report your accident to the police within days of when it happened. After you tell the police about your accident, you can access a collision report weeks later. This report can help you prove that you are in no way liable for your accident.
Premier Law Group offers comprehensive legal services and support to auto accident victims and their families. Our team has more than 55 years of combined experience. Following an auto accident, we can help you get your car crash police report and assist you with other aspects of your auto collision case. For more information, request a FREE case review.
Jason at premier law group is truly an outstanding individual. Our particular case was not something that their firm usually sees but they were more than willing to help us and give us all of the information they had available. I can't recommend them enough.