Key Identifiers on a Police Report in Washington State: 

• REPORT NUMBER - a pre-printed number assigned by the State of Washington and appears in the upper right corner of all pages.
• DATE - is a mandatory field. 
• TIME - is entered in a 24-hour military time format. (For example 1645 is 4:45 pm), If time is unknown for daytime the officer will enter 13:00 and nighttime  00:01. If no information regarding time is available at all it will remain blank.

A. LOCATION INFORMATION 

The officer will select the category of roadway such as:

• Interstate
• State route
• County road
• City street
• Private way or other.

B. COLLISION INCIDENT TYPES 

One or more of the bellow may be marked by the officer: 

1. Fire Resulted.
2. Stolen Vehicle.
3. Hit & Run Involved.

C. TRIBAL RESERVATIONS

If the collision occurred within a tribal reservation’s boundaries the officer will fill this information on the police report. 

WASHINGTON STATE TRIBES

Federally Recognized Tribes

1. Chehalis Confederated Tribes
2. Colville Confederated Tribes
3. Cowlitz Tribe
4. Hoh Tribe
5. Jamestown S’Kllalam Tribe
6. Kalispel Tribe
7. Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe
8. Lummi Nation
9. Makah Tribe
10. Muckleshoot Tribe
11. Nisqually Tribe
12. Nooksack Tribe
13. Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe
14. Puyallup Tribe
15. Quileute Tribe
16. Quinault Nation
17. Samish Nation
18. Sauk-Suiattle Tribe
19. Shoalwater Bay Tribe
20. Skokomish Tribe
21. Snoqualmie Tribe
22. Spokane Tribe
23. Squaxin Island Tribe
24. Stillaguamish Tribe
25. Suquamish Tribe
26. Swinomish Tribe
27. Tulalip Tribe
28. Upper Skagit Tribe
29. Yakama Nation

Non-Federally Recognized Tribes

1. Chinook Tribe
2. Duwamish Tribe
3. Kikiallus Indian Nation
4. Marietta Band of Nooksack Tribe
5. Snohomish Tribe
6. Snoqualmoo Tribe
7. Steilacoom Tribe

D. COUNTY NUMBER

Will show on the police report as a two-digit county number in which the collision occurred. Here is a list of county numbers in Washington State: 

County Name	County Number
Adams County in Washington State	01
Asotin County in Washington State	02
Benton County in Washington State	03
Chelan County in Washington State	04
Clallam County in Washington State	05
Clark County in Washington State	06
Columbia County in Washington State	07
Cowlitz County in Washington State	08
Douglas County in Washington State	09
Ferry County in Washington State	10
Franklin County in Washington State	11
Garfield County in Washington State	12
Grant County in Washington State	13
Grays Harbor County in Washington State	14
Island County in Washington State	15
Jefferson County in Washington State	16
King County in Washington State	17
Kitsap County in Washington State	18
Kittitas County in Washington State	19
Klickitat County in Washington State	20
Lewis County in Washington State	21
Lincoln County in Washington State	22
Mason County in Washington State	23
Okanogan County in Washington State	24
Pacific County in Washington State	25
Pend Oreille County in Washington State	26
Pierce County in Washington State	27
San Juan County in Washington State	28

H. INTERSECTION

• If the collision occurred within 20 feet of/or in an intersection, only the primary traffic way and cross-street will be filled out by the officer. 
• If the collision occurred at a non-intersection location, the distance in miles or feet, and the direction (north, south, east, west), to the nearest cross street will be provided in the police report.  
• If available, the officer will provide the block number or milepost.

J. PRIMARY TRAFFIC WAY

The officer will indicate the highway, road, or street on which the collision occurred on which is the primary traffic way. 

K. BLOCK NUMBER OR MILE POST

The officer will indicate if the collision occurred on a street with a block number or on an interstate with a mile post. An approximate mile post can be used by the officer as well.

L. DISTANCE AND DIRECTION

The officer will document the direction and distance to the nearest cross street or reference point to the collision site. The officer may check more than one direction such as north and west for northwest.

M. CROSS STREET

The officer will enter the name of the cross street or reference point.

UNIT INFORMATION

• Damage Threshold - The officer will check yes, if the total damage to any one vehicle involved in the collision is estimated to exceed a cost of $700 or more
• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), Endorsements, and Restrictions will be recorded by the officer. 
• Driver’s License and State - The officer will have this information recorded or will indicate if the operator does not possess a driver’s license [No Valid Operator’s License NVOL] or its expired at the time of the collision.
•  On Duty - The officer will check this box if the driver was an on-duty such as:  law enforcement officer or fire fighter at the time of the collision. 

Airbags

The officer will write the numeric airbag code that best describes the vehicle’s airbag system. The airbag codes are as follows:

• (1) Not Airbag Equipped
• (2) Not Deployed
• (3) Deployed – Front
• (4) Deployed – Side
• (5) Deployed – Other
• (6) Deployed – Combination
• (9) Deployed – Unknown

Restraint Systems

The officer will write the numeric restraint system code that best describes the restraint system. The restraint codes are as follows:

• (1) No Restraints Used
• (2) Lap Belt Used
• (3) Shoulder Belt Used
• (4) Lap and Shoulder Belt Used
• (5) Child Infant Seat Used (rear facing)
• (6) Child Convertible Seat Used (forward facing)
• (7) Child Built-In Seat Used
• (8) Child Booster Seat Used
• (9) Unknown

Ejection

The officer will enter the numeric ejection code that best describes the position of the operator in relation to the vehicle. The numeric ejection codes are as follows:

• (1) Not Ejected
• (2) Totally Ejected
• (3) Partially Ejected
• (9) Unknown

Helmet Use

The officer will enter this info only if the unit is a motorcyclist, pedalcyclist, skater, or skateboarder with the following codes: 

• (1) Helmet Used
• (2) Helmet Not Used
• (9) Unknown

INJURY CODING

INJURY CLASS

The officer will enter the numeric code for the category that best describes the injury. The injury class codes are as follows:

• (1) No Injury 
• (2) Dead at Scene 
• (3) Dead on Arrival 
• (4) Died at Hospital
• (5) Suspected Serious Injury
• (6) Suspected Minor Injury 
• (7) Possible Injury

NATURE OF INJURY

If the officer fills out the nature of the injury codes 2 through 7 the details of which part of the human body has the injury and type of injury should be present in the police report as well. 

OTHER GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

CITATION NUMBER 

If a notice of infraction (citation) is issued the officer will enter the specific violation or Revised Code of Washington (RCW). Refer to http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/ for a list of most updated State of Washington RCW’s.

LEFT SIDE CODING

Box 1 – Roadway Surface Condition

• (1) Dry
• (2) Wet
• (3) Snow/Slush
• (4) Ice
• (5) Sand/Mud/Dirt
• (6) Oil
• (7) Standing Water
• (8) Other. If this code is used details will be entered in the narrative.
• (9) Unknown

Box 2 – Weather

• (1) Clear/Partly Cloudy
• (2) Overcast
• (3) Raining
• (4) Snowing 
• (5) Fog/Smog/Smoke
• (6) Sleet/Hail/Freezing Rain
• (7) Severe Cross Wind
• (8) Blowing Sand/Dirt/Snow
• (9) Other. If this code is used details will be entered in the narrative.
• (0) Unknown

Box 3 – Light Conditions

• (1) Day Light
• (2) Dawn
• (3) Dusk
• (4) Dark – Street Lights On
• (5) Dark – Street Lights Off
• (6) Dark – No Street Lights
• (7) Other. If this code is used details will be entered in the narrative.
• (9) Unknown

Box 4 – Work Zone Location

• (4) Within Work Zone
• (5) In External Traffic Backup Caused from Work Zone

Box 4A – Work Zone Type

• (1) Construction
• (2) Maintenance
• (3) Utility
• (9) Work Zone Type Unknown

Box 5 – Location Character

• (1) Parking Lot
• (2) Bridge/Overpass
• (3) Underpass/Tunnel
• (4) Rest Area/Turnout
• (5) Shopping Mall/Plaza
• (6) Park & Ride Lot
•  (7) Ferry Dock
• (8) School Zone
• (9) Playground Zone
• (0) Rail Road Crossing
• (A) Other. If this code is selected details must be included in the narrative.

Box 6 – Roadway Character

• (1) Straight & Level
• (2) Straight & Grade
• (3) Straight at Hillcrest
• (4) Straight in Sag
• (5) Curve & Level
• (6) Curve & Grade
• (7) Curve at Hill Crest
• (8) Curve in Sag
• (9) Unknown

Box 7 (Unit 1) & Box 8 (Unit 2)

refers to hazardous materials at the collision scene, if applicable

• (1) Hazmat Transported – Not Released
• (2) Hazmat Transported – Released

Box 9 (Unit 1) & Box 10 (Unit 2) Traffic Control

• (1) Signals
• (2) Stop Sign
• (3) Yield Sign
• (4) Flashing Red
• (5) Flashing Amber
• (6) Rail Road Signal
• (7) Officer/Flagger
• (8) Other. If this code is used the officer will describe details in the narrative.
• (9) No Traffic Control
• (0) Unknown

Box 11 (Unit 1) & Box 12 (Unit 2) Posted Speed

The officer will input the posted speed limit in miles per hour the roadway each unit was traveling at the time of the collision.

Box 13 (Unit 1) & Box 14 (Unit 2) Type of Roadway 

• (1) One Way
• (2) Two Way – Undivided
• (3) Two Way – Divided, with Barrier
• (4) Two Way – Divided, No Barrier
• (5) Reversible Road
• (6) Interchange Ramp
• (7) Alley
• (8) Center – Two Way Left Turn Lane
• (9) Driveway
• (0) Unknown
• (A) Other. If this code is entered, the officer will enter details in the narrative.

Box 15 (Unit 1) & Box 16 (Unit 2) Roadway Surface Type

• (1) Concrete
• (2) Blacktop 
• (3) Brick or Wood Block
• (4) Gravel
• (5) Dirt
• (6) Other. If this code is entered, the officer will enter details in the narrative.

Box 17 (Unit 1) & Box 18 (Unit 2) Commercial Vehicle Classification

• (1) Trailer w/GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more.
• (2) Vehicle w/GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more; or any school bus.
• (3) Vehicle of 26,000 pounds or less designed to carry 16 passengers or more.
• (4) Commercial vehicle transporting 16 passengers or less.

Box 19 (Unit 1) & Box 20 (Unit 2) Pedestrian or Pedal-cyclist

pedestrian or pedal-cyclist was using at the time of the collision.

• (1) Sidewalk
• (2) Walkway
• (3) Shoulder
• (4) Marked “X” Walk
• (5) Unmarked “X” Walk
• (6) Other. If this code is entered, the officer will describe details in the narrative. 
• (7) Designated Bike Route
• (8) Roadway

Box 21 (Unit 1) & Box 22 (Unit 2) Pedestrian or Pedalcyclist Clothing Visibility

• (1) Dark
• (2) Light
• (3) Mixed
• (4) Reflective
• (5) Other reflective apparel such as shoes and patches. 
  

Box 23 (Unit 1) & Box 24 (Unit 2)  Pedestrian Action

• (1) Crossing at Intersection with Signal
• (2) Crossing at Intersection Against Signal
• (3) Crossing at Intersection – No Signal
• (4) Crossing at Intersection – Diagonally
• (5) From Behind Parked Vehicle
• (6) Crossing – Non Intersection – No Crosswalk
• (7) Crossing – Non Intersection – In Crosswalk
• (8) Walking in Roadway with Traffic
• (9) Walking in Roadway Opposite of Traffic
• (10) Walking on Roadway Shoulder with Traffic
• (11) Walking on Roadway Shoulder Opposite of Traffic
• (12) Standing or Working in Roadway
• (13) Pushing or Working on Vehicle
• (14) Playing in Roadway
• (15) Lying in Roadway
• (16) Not in Roadway
• (17) All Other Actions will be described in the narrative.
• (18) Fell or Pushed into Path of Vehicle 
• (19) At Intersection Not Using Cross Walk 

Box 25 (Unit 1) & Box 26 (Unit 2) Pedal-cyclist Action

• (43) Crossing Diagonally
• (44) Riding with Traffic
• (45) Riding Against Traffic
• (46) Fell or Pushed into Path of Vehicle
• (47) Cyclist Turned into Path of Vehicle – Same Direction
• (48) Cyclist Turned into Path of Vehicle – Opposite Direction
• (49) All Other Actions will be described in the narrative.
• (50) Crossing or Entering Traffic-way

RIGHT SIDE CODING

Box 27 (Unit 1) & Box 28 (Unit 2) Contributing Circumstances

• (1) Under Influence of Alcohol. If this code is used boxes 35-38 will be filled out.
• (2) Under the Influence of Drugs. If this code is used, boxes 39-40 will be filled out.
• (3) Exceeding Stated Speed Limit
• (4) Exceeding Reasonable Safe Speed
• (5) Did Not Grant Right a Way to Vehicle
• (6) Improper Passing
• (7) Following Too Closely
• (8) Over Center Line
• (9) Failing to Signal
• (10) Improper Turn
• (11) Disregard Stop and Go Signal
• (12) Disregard Stop Sign/Flashing Red
• (13) Disregard Yield Sign/ Flashing Yellow
• (14) Apparently Asleep
• (15) Improper Parking Location
• (16) Operating Defective Equipment
• (17) Other. If this code is used, the officer will describe details in the narrative. (18) None
• (19) Improper Signal
• (20) Improper U-Turn
• (21) Light Violation (No Lights/ Fail to Dim)
• (22) Did Not Grant Right of Way to Pedestrian or Pedal-cyclist
• (23) Inattention
• (24) Improper Backing
• (30) Disregard Flagger/Officer
• (31) Apparently Ill
• (32) Apparently Fatigued
• (33) Had Taken Medication
• (34) On Wrong Side of Road
• (35) Hitchhiking
• (36) Failure to Use Crosswalk
• (40) Driver Operating Handheld Telecommunications Device
• (41) Driver Operating Hands-free Wireless Telecommunication Device
• (42) Driver Operating Other Electronic Devices
• (43) Driver Adjusting an Audio or Entertainment System
• (44) Driver Smoking
• (45) Driver Eating or Drinking
• (46) Driver Reading or Writing
• (47) Driver Grooming
• (48) Driver Interacting with Passengers, Animals, or Objects Inside Vehicle
• (49) Other Driver Distractions Inside Vehicles
• (50) Driver Distractions Outside Vehicle
• (51) Unknown Driver Distraction
• (52) Driver Not Distracted

Box 29 (Unit 1) & Box 30 (Unit 2) Vehicle Actions

• (1) Going Straight Ahead
• (2) Overtaking and Passing
• (3) Making Right Turn
• (4) Making Left Turn
• (5) Making U-Turn
• (6) Slowing
• (7) Stopped for Traffic
• (8) Stopped at Signal or Stop Sign
• (9) Stopped in Roadway
• (10) Starting in Traffic Lane
• (11) Starting From Parked Position
• (12) Merging (Entering Traffic)
• (13) Legally Parked, Occupied
• (14) Legally Parked, Unoccupied
• (15) Backing
• (16) Going Wrong Way on Divided Highway 
• (17) Going Wrong Way on Ramp
• (18) Going Wrong Way on One-Way Street or Road
• (19) Other. Details described in the narrative by the Officer. 
• (20) Changing Lanes
• (21) Illegally Parked, Occupied
• (22) Illegally Parked, Unoccupied

Box 31 (Unit 1) & Box 32 (Unit 2) Vehicle Condition

No more than three codes may be used for each vehicle.

• (1) Defective Brakes
• (2) Defective Headlights
• (3) Defective Rear Lights
• (4) Tires Worn or Smooth
• (5) Tires Punctured or Blown
• (6) Lost a Wheel
• (7) Defective Steering Mechanism
• (8) Power Failure
• (9) Headlights Glaring
• (10) Other Lights/ Reflectors Insufficient
• (11) Other Defects (will be described in the narrative).
• (12) No Defects
• (13) Motorcycle – Lights Off
• (14) Equipped with Studded Tires
• (15) Motorcycle Windshield Installed
• (16) Truck/Trailer Safety Inspection

Box 33 (Unit 1) & Box 34 (Unit 2) Direction of Movement:

• (1) North
• (2) Northeast
• (3) East
• (4) Southeast
• (5) South
• (6) Southwest
• (7) West
• (8) Northwest
• (9) Vehicle Stopped
• (0) Vehicle Backing

Box 35 (Unit 1) & Box 36 (Unit 2) Sobriety

• (1) Had Been Drinking – Ability Impaired
• (2) Had Been Drinking – Ability Not Impaired
• (3) Had Been Drinking – Sobriety Unknown
• (4) Had Not Been Drinking
• (9) Unknown

Box 37 (Unit 1) & Box 38 (Unit 2) Alcohol Test Only

• (97) Test Given – Results Pending
• (98) Test Given – No Results
• (99) Test Refused

Box 39 (Unit 1) & Box 40 (Unit 2) Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Assessment

• (1) CNS – Depressants
• (2) CNS – Stimulants
• (3) Hallucinogens
• (4) PCP
• (5) Narcotic Analgesics
• (6) Inhalants
• (7) Cannabis
• (8) Drug Combinations
• (9) Drug Impaired, Type Not Determined
• (0) Not Drug Impaired

Box 41 (Unit 1) & Box 42 (Unit 2) Vehicle Override / Underide 

• (1) No Overide or Underride.
• (2) Striking Vehicle Overrides other Vehicle
• (3) Striking Vehicle Underrides other Vehicle
• (4) Override or Underride Unknown.

OFFICER INFORMATION

• The officer information will be located at the bottom of the Police Traffic Collision Report (PTCR) form. 
• The officer is certifying under penalty of perjury, that the information recorded on the PTCR is true and correct and will have the following information:
• Officer's signature. 
• Unit or district.
• Date and place. 
• Approving authority signature and date
• Badge number.
• Time of officer dispatch and arrival at the accident scene. 

DIAGRAM

The following must be included and identified by the officer on the diagram:

• 1. A north arrow in the circle at the upper right. 
• 2. Roadway layout.
• 3. Vehicles.
• 4. Pedestrians.
• 5. Objects on or off roadway.
• 6. Traffic controls.
• 7. Skid marks and debris.
• 8. Unusual or temporary conditions (ice patch, stones, gravel, construction, etc.).
• 9. Measurements and reference points.
• 10. Probable point(s) of impact and positions of vehicles, pedestrians etc.
• 11. Probable vehicle and pedestrian paths, before and after the collision. Broken lines indicate the probable paths followed before the collision or point of impact. Solid lines will indicate paths followed after the collision or point of impact.

Vehicle Configuration

Cargo Body

In Washington State involved parties, representatives, or their legal counsel can request Police Report copies. Importance of Police Reports in Personal Injury Cases:

• Building a case
• Determining fault and liability
• Preparing for litigation. 
• Insurance PIP claims
• Insurance personal injury claims
• Insurance UIM claims
• Insurance property damage claims etc...

Reading and interpreting police reports is a critical skill for claimants and their personal injury attorneys working in Washington State. By understanding the specific identifiers, injury classifications, and the context provided by these reports, attorneys and their claimants can build stronger cases and advocate more effectively for their clients. From incident numbers to detailed narratives, each element serves as a piece of the puzzle that can define the outcome of personal injury claims. With clear comprehension of police report specifics, legal professionals can empower themselves to navigate the complexities of personal injury law and seek justice for those they represent.