One of the questions that often comes up once the dust settles after a car accident in Tacoma or anywhere else in Washington State is how long the crash will follow you. Between your official driving record and what your insurance company tracks behind the scenes, the answer is not always as straightforward as you might expect.
Learning about how accident records work in Washington can help you plan for what comes next, whether that means managing your insurance costs or simply knowing when the mark will no longer count against you. Continue reading for the information you need to know.
How Long Does the Washington DOL Keep an Accident on Your Record?
The Washington Department of Licensing maintains a detailed record of your driving history, including any reported collisions. For most drivers, a car accident will remain on your DOL record for five years from the date of the crash. This applies to any accident that generates a collision report, regardless of whether or not a claim was filed with an insurance company.
There are situations where the timeline extends beyond five years that are worth mentioning as well. These include:
- Accidents involving commercial vehicles stay on the driver’s record for ten years
- Crashes connected to a DUI conviction remain on the record permanently
- Accidents tied to reckless driving or other serious violations can carry longer retention periods
Once the applicable time period has passed, the accident should drop off your record automatically. If it does not, you can contact the DOL to request a correction.
How Does an Accident Affect Your Insurance Rates?
Your DOL record and your insurance history are two separate things. Once a crash falls off your state driving record, your insurance company may still have it on file. Insurers typically track claims through their own internal records as well as through the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange, commonly known as CLUE, which retains accident data for up to seven years.
How the accident affects your premiums depends largely on fault:
- If you were at fault, your rates may increase for around three to five years following the crash
- If you were not at fault, the accident generally should not lead to a rate increase, though it may still appear in your claims history
- Serious violations tied to the accident, such as a DUI, can impact your rates for much longer
Some insurers offer accident forgiveness programs that waive the first at-fault accident after a certain number of claim-free years. Shopping around for quotes after an accident can also help, as different carriers weigh your history differently.
Can I Get an Accident Removed From My Record Early?
In most cases, no. Washington does not allow drivers to erase a collision report from their DOL record before the five-year window has run its course. If the record contains an error, such as an accident being incorrectly attributed to you, you can dispute it with the DOL and submit proof to have it corrected.
Beyond that, the most effective way to reduce the impact of an accident on your record is to maintain a clean driving history going forward. Avoiding additional violations and completing a defensive driving course may help lower your insurance costs in the meantime.
Contact Sears Injury Law for Legal Help After a Car Accident in Washington
While your driving record will eventually clear itself, the injuries and financial losses from a serious accident may not resolve on their own. If someone else’s negligence caused your crash in Washington State, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.
Contact Seattle Injury Law today for a free consultation at (253) 286-7444. Our Tacoma personal injury attorneys have recovered over $400 million for our clients and can help you understand your legal options moving forward.
