What Happens if the Police Don’t Come to the Accident Scene?

You’ve been in a car accident. You do exactly what you’re supposed to do: you get to a safe location and call 911. But the dispatcher on the other end of the line tells you something you didn’t expect: “Because there are no serious injuries and the vehicles are drivable, we will not be dispatching an officer to your location. You will need to exchange information and file a report yourselves.”

This can be a confusing and unnerving experience. Without a police officer present, there’s no official report, no impartial party to document the scene, and no authority figure to manage an uncooperative driver. It can make the entire accident feel unofficial and leave you worried about how you will prove your case to the insurance company.

While the absence of a police officer at the scene does present challenges, it does not mean you are without options. It simply means that the responsibility of being the primary evidence-gatherer falls squarely on your shoulders. Knowing your legal duties and the steps to take in this situation is crucial.

Useful Information for You: In a Nutshell

• Don’t Panic, It’s Common: In many jurisdictions, including areas around Tacoma, police will not respond to minor, non-injury accidents, especially if they occur on private property.
• Your Evidence Gathering is Now CRITICAL: Without an officer to document the scene, the photos, videos, and witness information you collect are the most important pieces of evidence you will have.
• You Are Legally Required to File Your Own Report: In Washington State, if an officer does not investigate and the accident involves an injury or property damage over $1,000, you must file your own Vehicle Collision Report with the state within 24 hours.
• Be Extra Diligent with Information Exchange: Calmly and carefully collect the other driver’s name, contact info, and insurance details. Take photos of their documents.
• Notify Your Insurer Immediately: Let your insurance company know what happened and that the police did not respond to the scene.

Why Wouldn’t the Police Respond?

Police departments and state patrol detachments must prioritize their resources. They focus their attention on accidents that involve:

• Serious injuries or fatalities.
• Suspected criminal activity (like a DUI).
• Hazards that are blocking a major roadway.

For minor fender benders in a parking lot or on a quiet residential street with no reported injuries, they may follow a policy of not dispatching an officer.

Your New Job: Lead Investigator

If an officer is not coming, you must now create the official record of the accident yourself. Your smartphone is your most important tool.

1. Be a Meticulous Photographer: Go into overdrive with your camera. Take more photos than you think you need. Document everything: the damage to both cars from all angles, the position of the cars, the entire surrounding scene, and any relevant traffic signs.
2. Get Witness Information: Witnesses are now doubly important. A neutral third party’s account can break a “he said, she said” tie. Get their full name and phone number and ask them to write down or record a brief statement of what they saw.
3. Exchange Information Carefully: Methodically collect the other driver’s license, insurance, and contact information. Take pictures of their documents to ensure accuracy.
4. Draw a Diagram: As soon as you can, sketch a diagram of the accident scene, showing the street layout and the positions and directions of the vehicles.

Your Legal Duty: Filing a Vehicle Collision Report

This is a step you cannot skip. Washington State law (RCW 46.52.030) requires that if a law enforcement officer does not investigate an accident, the driver of any vehicle involved must file their own report with the Washington State Patrol within 24 hours if the crash resulted in any injury or in property damage of $1,000 or more to any single person’s property.

• How to file: You can do this online through the Washington State Patrol’s website. You will fill out the “State of Washington Vehicle Collision Report” with all the information you gathered.
• Why it’s important: This creates the official state record of your accident. Your insurance company will need this report number. It is the official proof that the accident occurred and provides your formal account of what happened.

While the lack of an on-scene police report can make a claim more challenging, it does not make it impossible. By taking on the role of investigator and fulfilling your legal duty to self-report, you can build a strong foundation for your claim.

If you’ve been in an accident in the Tacoma area where the police did not respond and you are now in a dispute with the other driver or the insurance company, professional help is essential. Search the Car Accident Lawyer Directory Tacoma to find and compare trusted local attorneys who know how to build a case even without an on-scene police report.

References

• Washington State Patrol (WSP) – File a Collision Report:The official WSP page with information and links to the online portal for citizens to file their own Vehicle Collision Report, as required by law when an officer does not investigate.https://www.wsp.wa.gov/driver/file-a-collision-report/
• Revised Code of Washington (RCW 46.52.030) – Accident reports:The official state law that establishes the legal duty for a driver to file their own report within 24 hours if certain damage/injury thresholds are met and no officer is present.https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.52.030