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Part 3 · Safety, penalties and the law in Washington

Crashes, insurance and registration in Washington

Even careful drivers can be involved in a crash. Washington law tells you exactly what you must do at the scene, when to file a report and what insurance you must carry.

Knowing the steps in advance helps you stay calm, protect people and avoid a serious offense.

By the end of this topic you can

  • You can list your legal duties at the scene of a crash.
  • You can explain when you must file a collision report and how quickly.
  • You can state Washington's minimum liability insurance limits.
  • You can show proof of insurance when asked.
  • You can say how long a new resident has to register a vehicle.

What you need to know and understand

  • If you are in a crash, you must stop at or as near the scene as possible.
  • Exchange your name, address, insurance company, policy number and vehicle license number, and show your driver license.
  • Give reasonable help to anyone injured, including arranging transport for medical care.
  • In a property-damage-only crash, move the vehicles off the main lanes to a safe place nearby if you can.
  • Leaving the scene without doing these things is a crime, ranging from a gross misdemeanor to a felony.
  • If no officer files a report, you must file one within four days when anyone is hurt or killed, or damage is over the State Patrol's minimum.
  • Minimum liability insurance is $25,000 for one person's injury, $50,000 per crash for two or more people, and $10,000 for property damage.

At the scene: step by step

  1. Stop as close to the scene as you safely can. Turn on your hazard lights.
  2. Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt or traffic is blocked.
  3. Give reasonable help to anyone injured. Helping is not an admission of fault.
  4. If only vehicles or property are damaged and the cars can move, get them off the main lanes to a safe spot such as a shoulder, frontage road or side street.
  5. Exchange names, addresses, insurance details, policy numbers and plate numbers, and show your license.
  6. If you hit something and no one is there to receive your details, report it to the nearest police office.

Reports and insurance

If a law enforcement officer does not investigate, you must file a collision report within four days whenever anyone is injured or killed, or the damage is above the minimum set by the Washington State Patrol. Check the current amount with the State Patrol.

Every vehicle that must be registered needs liability insurance or another approved form of financial responsibility. The minimum is 25/50/10: $25,000 for one person's injury or death, $50,000 for two or more people, and $10,000 for property damage. Many drivers buy more. You must show proof when an officer asks, and you may show it on a phone.

Registering a vehicle

Washington residents must title and register vehicles they drive on public roads. New residents have 30 days from becoming residents. Our guide to moving to Washington explains how residency is decided, and the Washington drive test guide explains why your test car must be insured and registered.

Common mistakes

  • Driving away after a minor bump without leaving details. That can be a hit-and-run offense.
  • Leaving cars blocking a freeway after a minor crash. Move them to a safe spot if they can be driven.
  • Arguing about fault at the scene. Exchange information and let insurers and police decide.
  • Letting insurance lapse. Driving without it is an infraction, and a crash could be very costly.
Practice tip: Keep a crash card in the glove box with your insurer's phone number and a checklist of the details to collect, and go through it once with your supervisor.

Test yourself: Crashes, insurance and registration in Washington

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

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Go deeper

Sources: Washington Driver Guide (Washington State Department of Licensing); RCW 46.52.020 Duty in case of injury to or death of a person or damage to an attended vehicle or other property (Washington State Legislature, app.leg.wa.gov); RCW 46.52.030 Accident reports (Washington State Legislature, app.leg.wa.gov); RCW 46.29.090 Motor vehicle liability policy (Washington State Legislature, app.leg.wa.gov); RCW 46.30.020 Liability insurance or other financial responsibility required (Washington State Legislature, app.leg.wa.gov); RCW 46.16A.140 Resident defined, vehicle registration required (Washington State Legislature, app.leg.wa.gov). Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with the Washington licensing agency.

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