Driving without insurance in Washington is not advisable. injury to any person. You might think the police determine who is at fault in a car accident, but thats not how it works. A minor accident with minimal damage may result in $1000 in damages or less. This compensation comes from two main sources. If youve missed time from work, then youre entitled to be compensated for the time youve missed. Her dream car is a 1965 Aston Martin DB5. Furthermore, you can sue or be sued over a car accident without a police report. Washington requires drivers to possess certain levels of auto insurance and you may face severe penalties if you drive your car. The police can also ask for information about any vehicle . Car Insurance Requirements in Washington. Your attorney will argue your case and explain any legal jargon that insurance companies may use to try and confuse you into taking a low-ball settlement. Car insurance rate increase. Volkswagen Passat 3.6L 4Motion Luxury Insurance Cost. If the other driver (or their insurance company) is trying to put the blame for the crash on you, there's a lot at stake for you financially, especially if the other driver was seriously injured. You are not obligated to take this first settlement and can escalate the case to court if you feel you havent been offered a fair settlement. The at-fault driver is still responsible for the damage they cause in an accident, even if it's more than their car insurance coverage limits. In Washington, youre only required to carry, $50,000 of bodily injury liability per accident, . Washington operates under a tort system for processing auto accident complaints. Only under very limited circumstances can the injured person step outside of the no-fault system and file a lawsuit. Disclaimer: The personal injury lawyers at Kapuza Lighty serve those who have been injured due to others negligence. Call for a free consultation 509.866.4166. Like uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, PIP must be declined in writing., How important is it to have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in Washington? Learn more about Contingency fees here. And once you get your license back, youll be required to provide, additional proof of financial responsibility, from an approved insurance company, or you can get a, . I had a car accident. What about the person whose hospital bills add up to $50,000? |. You and your car are fine, but the other driver has sustained $20,000 in damages. Well go into the details of car insurance you should carry later in the guide. The not-at-fault driver has the right to seek compensation if they live in a no-fault state. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. This would pay out in the event that you are injured, regardless of whose fault the accident was. Any Washington license or instruction permit you currently have is no longer valid. In New York, for example, if your vehicle is uninsured and is involved in an accident: Get more details on penalties for driving without insurance (from DrivingLaws.org). Weve already mentioned. You must have physical proof of your insurance when driving. Take a form of photo ID and either cash or a check for $13 made payable to the Department of Licensing. (510) 529-2381. This guide will explain what happens when a car accident occurs and a driver involved in the crash is not insured. Keep a copy of the letter. If you're caught driving without insurance, you may face: Tickets and fees for failing to provide proof of insurance. What to do if youre in a car accident without insurance in Washington and not at fault, Penalties for driving without insurance in Washington, How to find cheap car insurance in Washington, The consequences associated with being in a car accident when you dont have car insurance are pretty harsh in Washington state. This may happen if the mandatory time the infraction remains on your record has passed but it has not been removed. Being involved in a car accident is a stressful and often traumatizing time. That rate hike is the largest in California, where an accident more than doubles insurance rates. But if for some reason they dont, you have four days to notify the Washington DMV., If the accident was your fault, then things are going to get pretty hairy. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. Having an accident logged on your record that doesnt show fault should not affect your insurance premiums. Also take photos or video of any stop signs, lights, obstacles that obscure the view of the road, etc. you'll need to pay the DMV a $750 civil penalty to restore your driver license. Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. How to stay safe during the holidays and avoid common injuries, Types of Evidence in a Personal Injury Claim, oprima aqui para obtener informacion en espanol, $25,000 per person for injuries in an accident, $50,000 per person if more than one person is injured, Loss of earnings (if someone cant work due to injuries), Cause of accident (whether reckless driving or alcohol was involved), Pain and suffering caused (for example, if lifelong injuries have been sustained that cause mental and emotional suffering), Tort insurance is generally cheaper than car insurance in no-fault states. you are not at fault for the accident; the damage is less than $15,000; the other driver has made a claim on their insurance; What happens if neither party in a car accident has insurance? If you were involved in a car accident without insurance, and the police find out you were driving without insurance, you could be fined. We'd love to hear from you, please enter your comments. Trying to fight this claim without a car accident lawyer may be an uphill battle, which is why it is crucial to find a trustworthy law firm with experienced, Whether the accident happens in a no-fault state or not, no one likes getting into a car accident. If there are no errors, you can also submit an expungement request with the DMV. If you cause a car accident, your car insurance rates will go up by $72 per month for full coverage, on average. Most auto accidents in Washington State are dealt with by insurance settlement negotiations, rather than a formal court case. In order to do this, they're going to need a lawyer and substantial evidence to back their case. You can also get a liability bond if you opt out of the state minimum requirements. Licensed for 23 years. Posted on Jul 9, 2013. Here are the top ones you should avoid. Tort insurance for Washington State drivers: When you are injured, the last thing you want to worry about are insurance claims, medical bills, and property damage. Did the owner of the car you were driving have insurance on the vehicle? With the help of a professional lawyer, youll get the best settlement possible without dealing with any of the headaches. These rules can prevent you from making a claim for non-economic damages (medical costs, pain and suffering, etc.) Here are more steps to take: Get more tips on what to do after a car accident. If you get into a car accident, whether the other person has insurance or not, it's always a good idea to call the police. This is usually determined by a jury and it is at their discretion to decide what to multiply the economic damages by. Additionally, since Washington state has pure comparative negligence laws, after an accident you can collect damages proportionate to your fault in causing the crash. Because Washington is a pure comparative negligence state, youll be, of the other drivers damages, and that driver can file a lawsuit against you to recover these damages if you are without insurance., drivers license will be suspended for three years, if you are found to be uninsured after an accident.. In those states, if you cause a car accident and another person is injured, they can sue you for all damages resulting from the car accident. 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. In most states, drivers are required to purchase liability insurance. Kapuza Lighty PLLC of Yakima, Washington has handled cases like this throughout Eastern Washington, including Grant County, Benton County, Kittitas County. 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. Washington State law requires all drivers to have auto insurance to protect others from accidents and injuries. If thats only $25,000, then thats all youre going to get from the insurance company. Get Your Free Consultation From a Lawyer Near You. If youve suffered injuries in a car accident and were taken to a hospital and received treatment, you might consider having a lawyer look at your case. Take pictures of the accident scene, the position of the vehicles, and anything else that might help tell the story of how the accident happened. According to a 2019 study by the Insurance Information Institute (III), slightly, more than 21% of Washington drivers were uninsured, This means 1 out of every 5 drivers you see on the road in Washington is uninsured. Essentially, it is the opposite of an at-fault claim where you are liable for any damage. Our injury lawyers can often help victims find the right path to compensation whether you have insurance or not. Good luck - and get your license. But one thing is for sureits not going to be cheap, no matter what route you go., If you did have insurance at the time but just didnt have the proof on you, then youll be okay as long as you show that you were insured at the time, . Repeat offenders who are caught multiple times driving without insurance can face harsher penalties. In these fatal crashes, it was estimated that 6.7% of drivers had a license that had been suspended or revoked, 1.1% had a license that had either expired or been cancelled or subsequently denied, and 5.0% were simply never licensed to begin with. Therefore, they may blame the other driver, even if their clients were at fault. If you have anything listed on your driving record, its best to keep a record of when it is due to expire so you can check it is removed. 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. If an accident occurs at an intersection because a driver has run a red light, it's likely they'll be found to be at fault. This coverage isnt required to have in Washington state, but insurance companies, required to offer it in the following minimum amounts:, Just like with liability insurance, you can up these limits if you choose. Its always best to consult a lawyer before accepting any settlement offer to ensure youre getting the best deal possible. "Attach a copy of the quote. Who Pays the Bills? If you are in a car accident with no insurance but are not at fault, you may be able to recover compensation from the other drivers insurance. When you've been the victim of a motor vehicle crash, give Craig Swapp & Associates a call. This varies by state and situation. This will be one of the first documents insurance companies request if you put in a claim for personal injury. If you are not at fault, the other . The driver should ask witnesses for their contact information. SR-22 requirements. For instance, one driver could be 30% responsible for the accident, meanwhile the other driver is 70% responsible. In a no-fault state, all drivers are required to carry PIP coverage (in . Well ensure you get the best settlement possible. Although keep in mind here that the "No Pay, No Play" laws we discussed above will likely apply to both drivers, meaning both may face difficulty getting compensation for the full spectrum of their losses resulting from the accident. In this case, your insurer can recover the total cost of the claim from the person whose fault it was. However, your ability to do this will depend on your states rules. Make a request to the other driver's insurance company, if they are at fault. Who decides fault in a car accident in Washington? Potential jail time. Every client is entitled to a free consultation, so give us a call at 1-800-404-9000 or contact . For that, you need a skilled personal injury attorney. Its an excellent idea to carry PIP, but its not required by law. Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the authors opinions and recommendations alone. In addition, the Department of Motor Vehicles in most states will also impose penalties that include the suspension or revocation of your driver's license, usually for a period from a few months to one year. To $ 50,000 of bodily injury liability per accident, meanwhile the other driver has right! Mandatory time the infraction remains on your states rules accident more than doubles insurance rates on... 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