Call police — no driver form
- When
- Injury, death, or a vehicle so damaged it has to be towed — MPD writes a Traffic Crash Report (PD-10).
- Report to
- Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)
- Form
- Motor Vehicle Crash Report for Property Damage Only (for minor crashes)
Official source: MPD — Request an Accident Report (PD-10)
For minor crashes that don't need a full police report, MPD officers give drivers the District's Property Damage Only form.
What to do after a car accident in Washington, D.C.
- Stop, check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Move to safety if you can.
- Call police if the crash meets Washington, D.C.'s rule above — as soon as you can.
- Exchange names, contact, license, plate and insurance details with every driver involved. Use our accident information worksheet.
- Photograph every vehicle, the plates, the damage and the scene, and get witnesses' names and numbers.
- Keep the police report number — your insurer will ask for it.
- Notify your insurance company promptly, as your policy requires, and start a claim communication log.
How Washington, D.C. compares with bordering states
Rules change at the state line. What applies is usually the state where the crash happened.
| State | Rule | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Washington, D.C. | Call police — no driver form | — |
| Maryland | You file only if police didn't | Within 15 days |
| Virginia | Call police — no driver form | — |
If your car was totaled or damaged
Reporting the crash is only the first step. If your insurer says the car is a total loss, check Washington, D.C.'s total-loss threshold and run the offer through the Total-Loss Offer Audit. If it was repaired, you may have a diminished-value claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to report a car accident in Washington, D.C.?
You must notify police — there's no separate driver form. In Washington, D.C. that applies to: injury, death, or a vehicle so damaged it has to be towed — MPD writes a Traffic Crash Report (PD-10).
What form do I use to report a crash in Washington, D.C.?
Motor Vehicle Crash Report for Property Damage Only (for minor crashes), filed with Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Download it from the official source: MPD — Request an Accident Report (PD-10).
Does reporting the crash to the state start my insurance claim?
No. A police or state crash report and an insurance claim are separate. Notify your own insurer promptly as your policy requires, and file a claim with the at-fault driver's insurer if someone else caused the crash.