After a car accident in Washington, stop safely, check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt, exchange your name, address, insurer, policy number and plate number with the other driver, and show your driver’s license. If no officer writes a report and someone was injured or property damage looks like $1,000 or more, Washington requires a written collision report within four days.
Do I have to stop if it’s just a fender-bender?
Yes. Washington law requires drivers in a crash involving another attended vehicle or property to stop. If the crash caused only vehicle or property damage, the law tells you to move the vehicle off the main lanes as soon as possible, to a shoulder, exit ramp, frontage road or side street, and then complete the information exchange there. Moving your car does not change who is at fault. (RCW 46.52.020)
What information do I have to exchange?
Under RCW 46.52.020(3), each driver must give their:
- Name and address
- Insurance company and policy number
- Vehicle license plate number
- Driver’s license (you must show it)
You must also give reasonable help to anyone injured, including arranging transport for medical care when it’s needed or requested. Helping someone is not an admission of fault under that statute. Failing to stop and meet these duties after an injury crash is a felony in Washington.
If nobody at the scene is able to receive your information and no officer is there, the law requires you to report the crash to the nearest police authority. If you hit an unattended parked car, Washington law requires you to find the owner or leave a note with your name and address giving the driver’s and owner’s name and address, in a conspicuous place on that vehicle (RCW 46.52.010). The four-day report rules below can still apply.
Do I need to file a collision report?
Often, yes. Under RCW 46.52.030, if no law enforcement officer is filing a report, a driver must file a written report within four days when a crash causes injury, death, or apparent damage to any one person’s property at or above the Washington State Patrol threshold. That threshold is $1,000, set in WAC 446-85-010. Inside city limits the report goes to city police; outside city limits it goes to the county sheriff or the State Patrol.
When should I call my insurance company?
Contact your insurer or your agent as soon as you reasonably can. Most auto policies require prompt notice of an accident, and the exact rules depend on your policy terms. Before you call, have ready:
- Photos of the vehicles, the scene, road conditions and any visible injuries
- The other driver’s information from the exchange above
- Names and phone numbers of witnesses
- The report number, if an officer responded
Whether a loss is covered, and for how much, depends on your policy and the facts of the claim. Your claim number and claim line are on your carrier’s ID card or app. Our contact your carrier page lists claim contacts too.
Who pays for the damage after a crash?
It depends on who caused it. James Cannon, our agency owner, puts it this way: “If it’s not your fault, get the other party’s insurance information so you can file a claim against them. If it’s your fault, your insurance pays for the damage you caused. If another driver hits you, their insurance should pay for the damage to you and your property.” That’s one more reason to get the other driver’s insurance company and policy number at the scene. How a claim is handled, and what’s paid, depends on the policies involved and the facts of the crash.
What if my car breaks down on Stevens or Blewett Pass?
Check your towing coverage before winter. James explains that many policies’ roadside coverage caps towing at about 15 miles, “because it’s meant to get you off the road and safe,” and it often only tows to the nearest qualified repair shop. On the passes, the nearest shop may not be the one you want. “That’s why a roadside membership, like Good Sam Roadside, is great for longer tows.” A roadside membership is a separate service, not insurance. Your own towing limits depend on your policy, so ask us to check them.
Should I review my coverage after a crash?
A crash is a good time to check whether your liability limits, collision deductible, rental and towing coverage still fit how you drive. Read our Washington auto insurance page and our winter driving in Wenatchee post.
Talk it through with a local independent agent
Blue Horizon Insurance is an independent agency at 12 S Wenatchee Ave in Wenatchee. We are not an insurance company. We shop many insurance companies for you and explain the trade-offs in plain English. We have also been Ramsey Trusted / Dave Ramsey endorsed for 10+ years.
- Call us: 509-293-7500
- Text us (text only, not for calls): 509-300-3515
- Request a quote online:
