How Do I Get a Copy of My Car Accident Report in Spokane?

Following a major car accident, you should get a copy of the police report. The report will serve as a valuable form of documentation and evidence during the insurance claims process. You may be wondering: What do I need to do to get a copy of a car crash report in Spokane?

The good news is it is a relatively straightforward process. Generally, you submit a request directly online through the appropriate agency. Here, our Washington car accident lawyers explain the key things you need to know about getting a copy of a police report in Spokane.

How to Obtain a Collision Report in Spokane

To get a collision report after a motor vehicle crash, you need to know which law enforcement agency responded to the accident. The police department will (generally) be responsible for writing and maintaining the accident report. Most likely, your police report can be obtained through one of the following channels:

Spokane City Police Department (SPD): You can request a traffic collision report from the Spokane Police Department using the city’s Public Records Request Center. You can also submit a request in person at 1100 W. Mallon Avenue during standard business hours.

Spokane Valley Police/Spokane County Sheriff’s: If your crash report was taken by the Spokane Valley Police or the Spokane County Sheriff’s office, you should use the county’s record request portal to get a copy of the report.

Washington State Patrol (WSP): You can request a car accident report from the Washington State Patrol using the Washington State Patrol Requests for Electronic Collision Records (WRECR) system. It is generally easiest to get the report from the WSP directly online.

What Information Can You Find on a Car Accident Report?

Collisions reports matter—particularly if fault for the crash is in dispute. The report should contain a wide variety of different information that can help investigators determine how and why the accident occurred. Among other things, a Spokane car accident report is likely to include the following:

• The time/date of the wreck;
• The precise location of the crash;
• General road and weather conditions;
• Personal identifying information and contact details for the parties;
• Contact information for some eyewitnesses;
• Statements by drivers, passengers, and other witnesses;
• An assessment of the vehicle damage;
• Information about injuries; and
• The general evaluation of the officer, including any tickets/citation issued

The responding police officer can—but does not have to—make a preliminary assessment of fault. Though, the officer does not get to make the final decision. A police report is merely one piece of evidence. In some cases, there are mistakes on report. If there is unfavorable information on your collision report and you believe it is in error, an experienced Spokane car accident attorney can help you take action to address the problem.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Car Accident Lawyer in Spokane, WA

At‌ ‌Albrecht‌ ‌Law‌ ‌PLLC, our Spokane traffic collision attorneys are skilled, trustworthy advocates for injured victims and their families. If you need help obtaining a police report, we can help. Contact us now for a no cost, no obligation consultation. With a legal office in Spokane, our firm serves communities throughout all of Eastern Washington.