Do I Need to File a Police Report for a Minor Car Accident?

Do you need to file a report after a minor car accident? In Washington, you are required to file an accident report if the accident caused an injury or costly property damage. If a police officer did not complete a formal Traffic Collision Report, you have four days to submit a Motor Vehicle Collision Report.

Whether you filed a police report after a minor accident or failed to do so, you may benefit from professional advice. Contact our car accident lawyer in Seattle for help.

Why Minor Car Accident Injuries Can Have Serious Consequences

You bumped your head and were momentarily unconscious, or the impact caused your neck to move sharply forward and backward. You sustained a few bruises and thought you’d be fine. Any of these examples may mean that you have injuries that, while not immediately life-threatening, could have longer-term repercussions.

The severity of car accident injuries isn’t always apparent right away. After walking away with what they believed to be minor injuries, people find themselves dealing with conditions such as concussions, traumatic brain injuries, or other injuries that were not immediately apparent.

The truth is that your car may not be seriously damaged, but you need to file a police report after a minor car accident because your injuries can be more serious than you thought they were. Without a police report, claiming compensation for injuries you thought weren’t important could be a tougher battle than you expected.

Property Damage May Amount to More Than You Expected

According to Experian’s assessment of the average cost of auto repair after an accident, bumper repairs or replacement can cost thousands of dollars, and even seemingly minor cosmetic damage often results in unexpectedly high repair bills.

Naturally, costs depend on the damage and the type of car. However, it may be unwise to assume that a fender-bender will give rise to damages under $1,000 until you have a repair-shop estimate. Your car may be more seriously damaged than it seems at first glance.

Because repair costs can quickly exceed expectations, you need to file a police report for a minor car accident. A police report will help document the incident, support an insurance claim, and provide an official record if disputes arise later.

What to Do After a Minor Car Accident in Washington State

Even if you think your accident is a minor one and you are uninjured, it’s best to know what you should do immediately after a car accident and follow those steps. Summon the police if there are injuries, significant property damage, or a dispute over fault. Exchange details with others involved and document the scene, property damage, and any visible injuries. Other steps include:

• Gathering contact information from any witnesses
• Notifying your insurance company as soon as possible
• Seeing a doctor even if you believe you are uninjured
• Entering a Motor Vehicle collision report within the four-day deadline
• Saving records of any communications related to the accident

If the accident seems minor, both drivers agree on the cause of the accident, and nobody was injured, you may consider leaving the scene and reporting the accident later. However, if you do so, there is a risk that your damages are more severe than initially supposed and that future disputes can arise.

When You Should Call the Police After a Minor Accident

It’s unlikely that you will know the full extent of your damages at a glance right after an accident. Although you might prefer to avoid calling the police over what seems to be a minor matter, consider doing so. This is particularly true if:

• You and the other driver dispute who was at fault
• There is potential for injuries, even if they are not yet noticeable
• Vehicle damage appears to be severe enough to require attention from a body shop
• The other driver seems to be uninsured, and you may have to fall back on your own insurance
• You notice suspicious circumstances. For example, the other driver may have been driving under the influence
• Public property, or another individual’s private property, appears to be damaged

Although a police report compiled on the scene does not constitute a final finding, it is usually considered credible and provides helpful evidence later on. If police create a report, you need not file a police report for a minor car accident. You can simply get a car crash report in Washington State by requesting it from the Washington State Patrol.

Why You Should Call the Police, Even if the Accident Seems Minor

Even if you and the other driver are both satisfied that the property damage appears minimal and you do not believe anyone has been injured, getting a police report still makes a positive difference in your case. Failing to do so means you risk:

• Fines or other legal penalties for failing to comply with Washington’s reporting requirements
• Difficulties when claiming compensation from your insurance company, potentially leaving you with a denied claim and full financial responsibility for damages
• Complications when seeking compensation from an at-fault driver, especially if you later discover injuries
• Liability risks if the other party changes their story and contests your version of what happened, claiming you are liable for their damages

An accident report creates a legal record that can help you if disputes arise, makes insurance claims easier, and may help to limit the potential for future disputes, especially if you call the police to attend the scene. They will create an evidence-based report that can help protect your right to compensation.

What to Do if Your Minor Car Accident Leads to Complications Later On

Whether you filed a police report for a minor car accident or police were present to record it at the time, disputes and complications may still arise. A car accident lawyer will help with further investigations and deal with insurance disputes on your behalf.

Contact Puget Law Group to claim a free case evaluation. We will explain your options or assist with any injury and property damage claims you’re struggling with.