No driver wants to get into an auto collision. But if you drive long enough, it may one day happen to you. If you drive in the state of Washington, here are some facts you need to know when a collision occurs.

 

What to Do After an Accident

If you get involved in an auto collision, the Washington State Patrol  recommends the following:

• Don’t leave the scene. Fleeing a collision, regardless of who caused it, could leave you open to criminal action.

• Stay calm. Gather your wits and assess the situation. Try to move your vehicle off the road to prevent another accident. Call 911 in the event of serious injury.

• Turn off the engine. If your engine is still running, turn it off to avoid the risk of fire. Do not smoke cigarettes, as gasoline may have spilled during the collision.

• Try to alert approaching traffic. Don’t put yourself at risk by standing in the road to warn oncoming traffic. Instead, place flares around the vehicle(s) and wait for help by the side of the road.

• Exchange information. This should include the name, address, phone number, license number, and insurance information for everyone involved in the collision.

• Gather evidence. Get the names and numbers of witnesses, and use your cell phone to take photos of the damage to all vehicles. This can often help to settle insurance claims disputes.

• Do not attempt to move an injured person. Wait for emergency medical help to arrive. The only exception is removing someone from a burning vehicle or other dangerous situation.

Reporting the Accident If the collision causes $1,000 or more in damage or injures anyone involved, you must fill out a motor vehicle collision report and mail it to the Washington State Patrol, Collision Records Section, PO Box 42628, Olympia, WA 98504-2628. The only exception is when a police officer is present on the scene and indicates that he or she will submit the report for you. The state of Washington adds the following information to the driving record of all drivers involved in collisions that resulted in bodily injury or at least $1,000 in damage to any vehicle or personal property:

• The accident report number
• Date of the collision
• Number of vehicles involved
• Whether the vehicles were moving or stationary
• Whether the collision resulted in any injury or fatality

Keep in mind that this information only indicates the person was involved in a collision, not who caused it. Reporting Uncompensated Damages If an uninsured driver fails to pay collision damages owed to you, you can report it by completing a state of Washington Motor Vehicle Collision Claim for Damages. The collision must have caused $1,000 or more in property damages or resulted in an injury. Your claim must include copies of repair estimates  and receipts to support your request for damages. If the uninsured driver does not pay, the DMV may suspend their driver’s license. At Fix Auto, we hope you never get in a collision. If you do, please follow the guidelines listed above, and when the time is right, bring your damaged vehicle into one of our convenient Washington locations  for prompt, professional repair work.   Drive safely!