Washington · Reporting a crash · Updated Oct 2026

Reporting a car accident in Washington: police, state report and crash report copies

When to call the police or file your own report, and how to get the crash report.

Short answer

Call police if anyone is hurt; the Insurance Commissioner advises not to leave the scene without calling police, even if the crash seems minor. The driver's written report goes to city police inside a city or town, or to the county sheriff or State Patrol outside cities (not to the DOL directly); it is forwarded to the State Patrol, which shares it with the Department of Licensing.

Damage that requires a report
$1,000
Your own report is due within
4 days
Law
RCW 46.52.030(1)-(2)

When to call the police in Washington

Always stop and help anyone who is hurt. Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime in every state.

When to call the police
Call police if anyone is hurt; the Insurance Commissioner advises not to leave the scene without calling police, even if the crash seems minor. If no officer makes a report, you must send your own written report within 4 days when anyone is hurt or killed or any one person's property damage looks like $1,000 or more: to city police inside a city or town, or to the county sheriff or State Patrol outside cities.
Damage amount
$1,000
Law
RCW 46.52.030(1)-(2); WAC 446-85-010
Official text
Read the official text

Your own report to the state in Washington

Your own report
The driver's written report goes to city police inside a city or town, or to the county sheriff or State Patrol outside cities (not to the DOL directly); it is forwarded to the State Patrol, which shares it with the Department of Licensing. You can file it online through the State Patrol's Online Motor Vehicle Collision Reporting (OMVCR) system, linked from https://wrecr.wsp.wa.gov/. If an officer investigated, you do not need to file one.
Deadline for your report
4 days

How to get a copy of the crash report in Washington

  • Request a copy of a collision report from the Washington State Patrol through its Requests for Electronic Collision Records (WRECR) system: https://wrecr.wsp.wa.gov/ (DOL also sends people to WSP for copies).

Our data shows no confirmed online way to order crash reports in Washington, so you can ask the agency by mail with our free request letter.

More facts for Washington

  • For a phantom vehicle claim (a car that caused your crash without touching you), the crash must be reported to police within 72 hours (RCW 48.22.030; Insurance Commissioner).

Step by step after a crash in Washington

  1. Stop, help anyone who is hurt and call 911 if needed. Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime.
  2. Call the police when Washington law requires it. Call police if anyone is hurt; the Insurance Commissioner advises not to leave the scene without calling police, even if the crash seems minor.
  3. File your own report if the rule applies to you. The driver's written report goes to city police inside a city or town, or to the county sheriff or State Patrol outside cities (not to the DOL directly); it is forwarded to the State Patrol, which shares it with the Department of Licensing.
  4. Exchange names, licenses, plates and insurance details, and take photos.
  5. Get a copy of the crash report. Request a copy of a collision report from the Washington State Patrol through its Requests for Electronic Collision Records (WRECR) system: https://wrecr.wsp.wa.gov/ (DOL also sends people to WSP for copies).
  6. Tell your insurer and keep the report or case number.

Free help in Washington

Questions about reporting a crash in Washington

When do you have to call the police after a car accident in Washington?

Call police if anyone is hurt; the Insurance Commissioner advises not to leave the scene without calling police, even if the crash seems minor. If no officer makes a report, you must send your own written report within 4 days when anyone is hurt or killed or any one person's property damage looks like $1,000 or more: to city police inside a city or town, or to the county sheriff or State Patrol outside cities.

How much damage has to be reported in Washington?

If no officer makes a report, you must send your own written report within 4 days when anyone is hurt or killed or any one person's property damage looks like $1,000 or more: to city police inside a city or town, or to the county sheriff or State Patrol outside cities.

Do I have to file my own accident report in Washington?

The driver's written report goes to city police inside a city or town, or to the county sheriff or State Patrol outside cities (not to the DOL directly); it is forwarded to the State Patrol, which shares it with the Department of Licensing. You can file it online through the State Patrol's Online Motor Vehicle Collision Reporting (OMVCR) system, linked from https://wrecr.wsp.wa.gov/. If an officer investigated, you do not need to file one.

How do I get a copy of a crash report in Washington?

Request a copy of a collision report from the Washington State Patrol through its Requests for Electronic Collision Records (WRECR) system: https://wrecr.wsp.wa.gov/ (DOL also sends people to WSP for copies).

What is the deadline for an accident report in Washington?

If no officer makes a report, you must send your own written report within 4 days when anyone is hurt or killed or any one person's property damage looks like $1,000 or more: to city police inside a city or town, or to the county sheriff or State Patrol outside cities.

More for Washington drivers

Nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.