You file only if police didn't
- When
- Injury, or $1,000 or more of damage to any one vehicle or property, when an officer is not completing a police report.
- Report to
- Washington State Patrol, Collision Records Section
- Deadline
- Within 4 days
- Form
- Motor Vehicle Collision Report (MVCR)
Official source: Washington State Patrol — Collision Reports
File online through WSP's OMVCR system (you get a report number immediately), by mail, or by email.
What to do after a car accident in Washington
- Stop, check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Move to safety if you can.
- Call police if the crash meets Washington's rule above — within 4 days.
- 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.
- File your own report (Motor Vehicle Collision Report (MVCR)) with Washington State Patrol, Collision Records Section — within 4 days , if police didn't investigate.
- Notify your insurance company promptly, as your policy requires, and start a claim communication log.
How Washington compares with bordering states
Rules change at the state line. What applies is usually the state where the crash happened.
| State | Rule | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | You file only if police didn't | Within 4 days |
| Idaho | Call police — no driver form | Immediately |
| Oregon | You must file your own report | Within 72 hours |
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'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?
Sometimes. In Washington you file your own report only when police don't: injury, or $1,000 or more of damage to any one vehicle or property, when an officer is not completing a police report.
What form do I use to report a crash in Washington?
Motor Vehicle Collision Report (MVCR), filed with Washington State Patrol, Collision Records Section. Download it from the official source: Washington State Patrol — Collision Reports.
How long do I have to report a car accident in Washington?
Within 4 days — to Washington State Patrol, Collision Records Section.
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.