This article addresses the process for locating and obtaining a copy of a Police Traffic Collision Report (PTCR) after a motor vehicle collision. If you have been injured in a car accident, you may also want to consider consulting with an experienced car accident lawyer in your area to protect your legal rights and interests.
One of the most important things to do immediately after being injured in a car accident in Seattle or elsewhere in Washington state - aside from getting the proper medical treatment, of course - is obtaining a copy of the Police Traffic Collision Report (PTCR). The PTCR is an official record of the collision and is often an important piece of evidence in any legal proceeding that may be related to the collision.
The police officers who respond to your car accident will generate a PTCR about the collision by recording the identity and other information about all parties and vehicles involved, provide rough illustrations of the scene and vehicle damage, identify possible contributing factors, and document the injuries suffered by various parties.
The responding officer will also typically provide a written statement about his or her investigation and, based on applicable laws, may even assign fault to one or more parties involved. The officer may also cite one or more parties for a traffic violation, which can also indicate fault for the collision.
If you are injured in a collision caused by another driver and wish to pursue a personal injury claim in order to be compensated for your medical bills and other damages, obtaining a copy of the PTCR is one of a few vital steps to the successful resolution of your claim.
5 Steps To Obtaining Your PTCR:
Step 1: Visit The Washington State Patrol's WRECR Online Portal
Step 2: Enter your first name, last name, and the approximate date of the accident, or search by the collision report number.
Step 3: Click the "Shopping Cart" icon next to the collision report number for the report you wish to download, then click "Continue."
Step 4: In the "Your Involvement" column, click the "Not Set" button and select the appropriate involvement type. Click "Continue."
Step 5: Fill in the necessary fields to complete your order. Note that you must pay $10.50 to order an individual police report.
Getting A Copy Of Your Washington State Vehicle Accident Report
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is the official custodian of all collision reports within the State of Washington. Regardless of which police agency responded to your collision, if you were involved in a car accident in anywhere in Washington state then your PTCR should be processed and made available by the Washington State Patrol. Click Here To Access The WRECR Online Portal, where you can search for collision reports by your name and date of incident.
It can take several days or even weeks for a PTCR to be made available on the WRECR website, especially in situations where serious injury and/or death is involved. If you have any trouble obtaining a PTCR for your collision or are unsure how to proceed with your personal injury claim, we may be able to help. Hiring an attorney can significantly improve the value and chances of a successful outcome for your case in certain circumstances.
Free Car Accident Legal Consultation
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, it might be in your best interests to consult with the personal injury attorneys at Davis Law Group about your potential case. Our legal team will review your case absolutely free and help you determine if you might benefit from hiring a lawyer to handle your case.
Davis Law Group offers free legal consultations to accident victims who are facing significant medical bills and injuries resulting from a car accident. If we believe we can improve the value or increase the chances of a successful resolution to your case, we'll schedule you for a free in-person consultation. There is no obligation to hire us. Call our office at (206) 727-4000 or use the convenient contact form on this page to request a free case analysis from our legal team.
