How To Get a Car Accident Report After a Car Crash in Spokane, Washington

After a car accident, life can feel upside down. Many car accident victims face car accident injuries, mounting medical bills, property damage, and endless calls with an insurance company. On top of this, you may not know how to request the car accident report that documents the accident scene. Without it, you may struggle to prove a valid claim, or pursue a fair settlement to compensate you for your losses.

Below, we will walk through what a car accident report is, how to access it in Washington state, and how it fits into your broader rights under personal injury law.

Why Collision Reports Matter in Washington State

In Washington state, drivers involved in a car accident with serious injuries, a fatality, or property damage above a set threshold must file a written report unless an officer already has.

This requirement comes from RCW 46.52.030.

Your report matters because:

• It establishes the facts of your car accident case.
• It records details of serious accidents, fatal crashes, or single vehicle accidents.
• It often determines how an insurance company treats personal injury claims.
• It may affect whether you can seek compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, or non economic damages.

For families pursuing a wrongful death claim after a fatal accident, the collision report can be essential evidence.

Who Can See the Report and When

• Car accident victims, drivers, passengers, and a family member of someone involved can request full copies.
• A Spokane car accident attorney or Washington injury attorney representing you has access.
• Courts, insurers, and other car accident lawyers also regularly review these records.
• Others may see only a redacted copy under public records laws.

Knowing your rights is important, especially when the other party’s fault is in dispute.

How to Request the Report in Spokane, Washington

There are three main ways to request your car accident report in Spokane or anywhere in eastern Washington:

Method	Steps	Timing	Cost
Online (Washington Requests for Electronic Collision Records – WRECR)	Search by name, report number, or crash date at wrecr.wsp.wa.gov.	Usually 2–4 weeks after crash	$10.50
By Mail	Send a form and payment to the WSP Collision Records Section in Olympia.	Several weeks with mail time	$10.50
In Person	Visit the WSP office in Tumwater; use a kiosk to access available police reports.	Same day if report uploaded	$10.50

A Spokane car accident lawyer can help if your report is delayed or contains errors.

What to Check Once You Have the Report

When reviewing, pay attention to:

• Accident scene details, including diagrams and weather.
• Listed visible injuries, medical treatment, or need for physical therapy.
• Whether traffic laws were cited.
• Officer notes on contributory negligence.
• Documentation of property damage and severe injuries.
• Information about all drivers and vehicles, including if it was an auto accident involving multiple parties.

An experienced Spokane car accident attorney may even bring in accident reconstruction experts to clarify disputes or support the evidence presented.

Common Challenges Spokane Accident Victims Face

• The report isn’t available online yet.
• Errors in names, insurance, or vehicle details.
• Redacted data making it harder to use for personal injury cases.
• Conflicts with the insurance company over fault.
• The emotional toll of serious injuries, life changing injuries, or spinal cord injuries that may lead to permanent disability.

This is where legal representation matters. A Washington injury attorney from our Spokane law firm can clarify the process, pursue a personal injury lawsuit if needed, and work to pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress.

How Albrecht Law Firm Supports Spokane Car Accident Victims

At Albrecht Law Firm, our legal team assists accident victims across Spokane Valley and greater Washington state with:

• Building strong personal injury claims backed by police reports and medical documentation.
• Pursuing wrongful death cases when a wrongful death leaves families devastated.
• Handling auto accident claims and car accident claims with experienced legal representation.
• Fighting for fair compensation and, when appropriate, the maximum compensation under the law for serious injuries and medical treatment.
• Working on a contingency fee basis, so you owe nothing unless we win compensation for you.

Whether you’ve suffered injuries in a car crash or lost a loved one due to another’s negligence or else’s negligence, our proven track record in personal injury law demonstrates that we know how to fight for a fair settlement.

Albrecht Law is Here to Handle Your Spokane Car Accident Claim For You

You don’t have to face the aftermath of a car accident in Spokane alone. If you need to secure a car accident report or if you are searching for “car accident injury lawyers near me,” the experienced Spokane personal injury lawyer team at Albrecht Law Firm is here to help you understand your car accident report, evaluate your personal injury cases, and pursue financial compensation.

At Albrecht Law, we’ll take over the stressful conversations and fight to pursue the compensation you need to recover. Because to us, our clients are more than just cases.

Call us today at (509) 495-1246(509) 495-1246 or complete our online form to schedule your free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win.

Copyright © 2025. Albrecht Law PLLC. All rights reserved.

The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.

Albrecht Law PLLC
5105 E 3rd Ave, Suite 101
Spokane Valley, WA 99212
(509) 495-1246(509) 495-1246
https://albrechtlawfirm.com/