You are able to collect damages in proportion to your fault in the accident, The statue of limitation in Washington state is 3 years. Did the owner of the car you were driving have insurance on the vehicle? If you have marks on your driving record for accidents, unpaid tickets, etc., it can make insurance premiums more expensive. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) I have no auto insurance. If you are insured for property damage. All Rights Reserved. The not-at-fault driver has the right to seek compensation if they live in a no-fault state. You might even have a lower deductible under these circumstances. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. Not to mention convenient! Keep your original quote and a copy of the letter," they advise. Whether youve sustained physical injuries, loss of earnings, damage to your vehicle, or emotional suffering, you deserve to be compensated. Your auto liability coverage would be used to help pay for the other driver's car repairs. When it comes to the compensation you receive for an accident, both economic and non-economic damages are taken into account. Washington is an at-fault or tort state. The first settlement offer from insurance companies is almost always lower than they are willing to pay. If you have been injured in an accident, even if it was your fault, call the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) on 1300 656 919 immediately for help with making a claim, as strict time limits apply. Call for a free consultation 509.866.4166. Even if no one has been hurt, you may also want to call the police if the cars are really damaged so you can get a police report. Members save $872/year. If you're uninsured and involved in an accident, things escalate quickly. Driving uninsured is a terrible idea, as most states in America require to have some sort of auto insurance to be safe while driving. Answer a few questions and you're even eligible for a free case evaluation. Washington State law requires all drivers to have auto insurance to protect others from accidents and injuries. It offers another layer of protection to you and your family if you sustain serious injuries or die in an auto accident. This is usually determined by a jury and it is at their discretion to decide what to multiply the economic damages by. But sometimes life happens, and if you find yourself in a car accident while uninsured in Washington, there are a few things you need to know! You are obligated to stop and exchange insurance details and contact information so you can make a claim later. If you do either of these, remember to request your driving history 60 days after to ensure the changes requested have been made. If you are in a car accident with another driver, and that driver is found to be 80% at fault, then their insurance company would be forced to pay 80% of the damages. If they find their insurance policyholder to be at fault, they will make a settlement offer. This means there are more legal hurdles to jump over, and a longer waiting period before fault is decided and a driver can be reimbursed. In some states, known as "no-fault" states, medical bills are covered by each driver's individual personal injury protection (PIP) coverage instead of the at-fault driver's insurance. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, No matter the specifics of your situation, you might want to start by reaching out to a. in your area. If you cause a car accident, your car insurance rates will go up by $72 per month for full coverage, on average. Avvo Rating: 8.3. If you go in-person, youll also need to take a completed copy of the Driving Record Request Form with you to give to the clerk. You and your car are fine, but the other driver has sustained $20,000 in damages. The information provided on this Website does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. There are five roads in Washington that are classed as the most dangerous. . In the US, a staggering 77% of people have been in a car accident, so it makes sense to be prepared and know what to do if youre ever unfortunate enough to get into an accident, however minor it may be. This guide will explain what happens when a car accident occurs and a driver involved in the crash is not insured. Updated July 28, 2022. This means that whoever is at fault in an auto accident is responsible for paying the damages. If you are caught driving without insurance and your state requires it, you could face serious legal penalties. This will be one of the first documents insurance companies request if you put in a claim for personal injury. This means any injured party is able to recover damages from any party at fault. I had a car accident. Although in most American states, everyone must have liability insurance to be allowed to drive, there are two states in which drivers can choose not to hire an insurance company. Usually, the more severe the accident, the higher the number. Contact us online or call (509) 866-4166 and well ensure that you get a fair settlement. You could also try to pursue a claim against the motorist who caused the crash and recover from that drivers personal assets if you are involved in a collision with an uninsured motorist. On the other hand, a severe accident that results in significant injury or fatalities may result in hundreds of thousands in damages and injury. The fine for driving without insurance in Louisiana is between $500 to $1,000, regardless of whether it's your first, second, or third offense. In Washington, youre only required to carry, $50,000 of bodily injury liability per accident, . However, if you do not have coverage, you can still be personally liable for covering losses you caused even though your state doesnt require you to buy a policy. Take a form of photo ID and either cash or a check for $13 made payable to the Department of Licensing. On the other hand, non-economic damages include: Although these damages are highly subjective, they are calculated by multiplying the economic damages by 1, 2, 3, or 4, depending on the severity of the accident. There are consequences for driving without insurance, but those pale in comparison to the penalties that can result if you leave the scene of an accident (including criminal hit and run charges), especially if anyone is hurt in the crash. You dont want to make an already bad situation worse! Weve already mentioned. For example, imagine you are in a car accident and are found to be jointly responsible with the other driver. Our injury attorneys and staff are here to help so that you can focus on healing. Who decides fault in a car accident in Washington? The state of Washington's mandatory auto insurance law requires anyone driving a motor vehicle in the state to do one of the following: 1. To do this, send the driver or their insurance company a letter of demand asking for the cost of repairs, towing and storage. Also take photos or video of any stop signs, lights, obstacles that obscure the view of the road, etc. It is illegal to drive a vehicle in Washington State without insurance. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. 3806 Tieton Drive Yakima, WA 98902 Get Directions. Make notes and talk to witnesses, take copious amounts of pictures, and gather as much evidence as you can. SR-22 requirements. Although the uninsured driver may face penalties, they still need to prove they're not at fault for the accident. If the uninsured driver was at fault, youll have to take the lawsuit route to recover any of your damages, and that can be tedious, time-consuming, and possibly expensive., However, you can avoid this unsavory scenario by having, . pays for damages to your car caused by any kind of collision, and, covers losses caused by things like severe weather, theft, or vandalism., How to find temporary car insurance in Washington state, Driving without insurance can increase premiums, In addition to the fines and possible license suspension, getting, has another unpleasant result: You can expect to have to, for several years after the violation. Call for a free consultation at 727-937-1400 or visit us on the Web at www.serviceandjustice.com. Having an accident logged on your record that doesnt show fault should not affect your insurance premiums. How are personal injury settlements paid out? Not having insurance doesn't just have legal penalties; it can also leave you in a precarious financial position if you are in an accident as the at-fault party. In fact, 45 fatalities were due to alcohol-related accidents. Posted on Jul 9, 2013. Typically, you have the following options to recover your lost wages in a car accident case: Make a request to your insurance company, if your policy includes that coverage. If the other driver is at fault for the accident, the fact that you're uninsured could limit your ability to get compensation for your car accident injuries and related losses. Document the accident and all agreements made: Take pictures of both vehicles and the scene where the accident occurred. Both parties should exchange contact information. Licensed for 23 years. Jerry automatically shops for your insurance before every renewal. For example, if youre rear-ended by another driver, it will still appear on your license record but it will be logged as involvement, not fault. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Do you know how to reset the Bluetooth in a Mini Cooper? Wha t can I do? You should try and take photos or video before any vehicles are moved and from as many angles as possible. When this happens, you could face difficulties getting the compensation you deserve from the driver responsible for harming you. . Youre entitled to be compensated for emotional anguish related to the accident. When you are not-at-fault. This is why PIP (and underinsured motorist) insurance is a very smart choice. That is why a personal injury attorney is important. 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