If you are found liable after a trial and you are ordered to pay the other driver's damages, a judgment will be entered against you (more on this below). 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. Exchange all required information with the other driver, and get as much documentation of the accident as possible. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. Our team at WEIERLAW are experts in auto accident cases. If you did not cause the accident, never say anything which could be construed as admitting fault. Sometimes the fine costs more than a policy! If possible, find affordable insurance to . It's against the law to drive without insurance (or without proof of "financial responsibility" for an accident), but the fact that you're uninsured isn't going to come into play when it comes to figuring out who was at fault for the accident. In every state except New Hampshire and Virginia, you must have at least some liability insurance coverage. But as weve seen, insurance firms often low-ball claimants and you may get less than you deserve. An experienced attorney can consider the specific circumstances of your situation and explain your options. Everyone needs a trustworthy lawyer who can help them get through difficult times, and this is the perfect opportunity to find one. Usually, the more severe the accident, the higher the number. They should also document as much as they can through pictures and video. Here to keep you safe and fully informed is, that you can depend on. Remaining quiet is the way to go, as the other party may be recording what's being said. While some car accidents result only in property damage, others result in severe injuries or death. For example, if a driver is found 99% responsible for a case worth $100,000 in damages . Washington classifies as a Fault/Tort State. 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. Its an excellent idea to carry PIP, but its not required by law. Jerry automatically shops for your insurance before every renewal. 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. , though, helped me find affordable insurance. Contact us online or call (509) 866-4166 and well ensure that you get a fair settlement. Still, drivers must be aware of the consequences that their actions can have, and these are going to depend on the severity of the accident and the state laws. CONTACT US TODAY FOR HELP WITH AN AUTO ACCIDENT IN WASHINGTON STATE. If you live in one and have no insurance, you may not be allowed to sue, the circumstances when you can make a claim may be limited or you may be limited in the amount of damages you can collect. Car insurance rate increase. A phantom vehicle is one that causes injury or damage without making physical contact. Also say why you think they are responsible for the damage. Remember, these are just minimum requirements. In some states, however, there are No Pay/No Play rules. Although these roads do not account for all accidents in Washington State, its good to be aware of the worst areas to take extra care when driving: Washington is a comparative negligence state. Although 32,106 resulted in no injuries, 325 were fatal and 973 resulted in serious injuries. Although the uninsured driver may face penalties, they still need to prove they're not at fault for the accident. If the other driver did not stop to give you their details, you can report the accident to the police. That's because the at-fault driver will find themselves on the personal financial hook for the other driver's car accident damages, and they'll also have to find a way to cover their own losses (hopefully they have health insurance to take car of any medical bills for car accident injuries). SR-22 requirements. Even though there are severe consequences for being in an accident while uninsured, youll be much worse off if you leave the scene. Are you sure you want to rest your choices? If you've been in a car accident while driving without insurance, you might be in for a fight on a number of potential fronts. Some of these penalties are: When the at-fault party is the one without auto insurance coverage, they automatically have the entire financial responsibility for the damages caused by the accident and any other legal fees. Posted on Jul 9, 2013. If you are caught driving without insurance and your state requires it, you could face serious legal penalties. When no-fault insurance was first implemented, several states thought it would streamline the process of dealing with automobile accidents. Texas is one of 38 states plus the District of Columbia have a fault . Drivers in fault states like Alabama have more options to receive compensation for their injuries after an accident. Policy Limits, Litigation, and Personal Injury Lawsuits, Dont Haggle with Insurance Companies On Your Own, Every driver in Washington is required to carry liability insurance, PIP or Personal Injury Protection insurance. How are personal injury settlements paid out? No-fault insurance is also known as personal injury protection insurance, or PIP, and it's designed to pay for medical expenses and lost wages resulting from your car accident injuries, regardless of who caused the accident. In other words, Alabama is not a no-fault state. After a car accident, all drivers involved in the accident must stop and exchange their details. The reasoning behind "No Pay, No Play" laws is that if you don't have the required auto insurance that could provide full compensation to another person, then you shouldn't be able to claim the full benefits of someone else's insurance if you've been the victim of a car accident. Depending on the severity of the collision, your license can be suspended for up to three years and youll need to pay a $75 reinstatement fee. You may also be faced with hiring a lawyer at your expense, unless you want to try to defend the case yourself. Who decides fault in a car accident in Washington? Police and insurance companies will gather all available evidence to decide who is at fault. If you refuse to pay or simply can't pay the other driver, you might find yourself being sued. We are devoted to handling any disputes that might arise from your case to ensure you are receiving the best possible settlement. But if it does happen, heres what you need to know. you'll need to pay the DMV a $750 civil penalty to restore your driver license. You might be using an unsupported or outdated browser. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners. The answer here depends on whether you live in a no-fault car insurance state, or a state that follows traditional fault (or "tort") principles when it comes to car insurance. Attach a copy of the quote you . If youve suffered extensive pain, then youre entitled to be compensated for that as well. Well go into the details of car insurance you should carry later in the guide. Its against the law to leave the scene of an accident you are part of if there has been an injury or damage to someones vehicle. To get the best possible experience please use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge to view this website. 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. injury to any person. updated Sep 13, 2022 Driving without insurance in Washington State can result in serious penalties, depending on the circumstance. If you do have insurance but the other driver doesnt, then what? Arrest. Make sure you and anyone else involved is uninjured, and call 9-1-1 and/or give first aid as needed. Washington insurance companies are also required to offer, This covers a variety of things like medical bills, lost wages, and the cost of things like child care and household upkeep that you may be unable to do if injured. Can You Receive Compensation for Lost Self-Employed Income after a Car Accident? This makes uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage an exceedingly smart choice to make., If you are caught driving without car insurance in Washington, then you are subject to a fine of around, . If you believe the other driver was at fault, Legal Aid recommends you write a letter of demand, asking them to pay for your car and other costs. So instead of making a claim against the driver, the injured person will make a claim against their own insurance policy who will pay regardless of fault. Then send the completed form and a check for $13 payable to the Department of Licensing to: It will take around two to three weeks for them to send your driving record back to you. You can use the tools on this page to connect with a nearby lawyer. There are five roads in Washington that are classed as the most dangerous. The damage to your car is less than $15,000 (or you're okay with $15,000 as a . CALL US:(314) 293-3777 | SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION . If the other driver was at fault but has no insurance, your uninsured . Like uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, PIP must be declined in writing., How important is it to have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in Washington? Get Your Free Consultation From a Top Lawyer. Therefore, the other driver's insurance company must pay for all the damages they caused, and the not-at-fault driver can even file a lawsuit and take them to court. Copyright 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba Nolo Self-help services may not be permitted in all states. Vehicle impoundment. If the driver lives in a state that demands car insurance to be able to drive, they're going to be facing terrible consequences if they get caught driving, even if they don't get in an accident. 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. File a lawsuit against the other driver. This is one of the reasons that its vital to keep your current, The penalties for using fake proof of insurance, Minimum required car insurance in Washington, So how much insurance do you need to avoid all this unpleasantness? In contrast, an accident in Rhode Island only increases rates by 26%. Whether you cause a car accident or not, if you're caught driving without insurance or other proof of financial responsibility, you could face a wide range of consequences. So yes, you can still file a car insurance claim to get compensation with no police report. the person in possession of the vehicle. In this case, your insurer can recover the total cost of the claim from the person whose fault it was. Today, only 12 of those states remain, with many considering going back to a tort system. If youd prefer a physical copy of your record sent by mail, complete the Driving Record Request Form. If you are in a car accident and you do not have insurance coverage, the outcome of this situation will vary depending on many factors including the rules where you live as well as who was at fault for the collision. Do you need to report a car accident in Washington?, no injury or death and less than $1,000 worth of property damage, , you dont need to report it, but you do still need to stay at the scene or risk a hit-and-run charge., If the accident caused more than $1,000 of damage and someone was injured or killed, you are, . The majority of states use a tort system, but 12 states and Puerto Rico have a true no-fault insurance system in place that restricts the right to sue. What is a 2007 GMC Envoys life expectancy? Moreover, some of the most common penalties are the following: The revocation of their license for up to a year, A civil penalty fee of $750 for license restoration. Its not compulsory in Washington State, but can offer added peace of mind should the worst happen. Washington is not a no-fault insurance state. 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 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. Something went wrong. You are not required to obtain liability insurance in New Hampshire or Virginia. Given the cost of healthcare in the U.S., most experts recommend upping those limits to $100,000/$300,000/$100,000, respectively., Another thing to keep in mind is that liability insurance only protects other drivers. Do I Need a Lawyer if an Insurance Company Denies My Claim? States that do not follow a "no-fault" insurance systemthis means the vast majority of statesare called "tort" states. the state's traffic court will fine you up to $1,500, and. Heres how the law breaks it down:, : misdemeanor; punishable by up to 90 days in jail and up $1,000 in fines, : gross misdemeanor; punishable by up to one year in jail and $5,000 in fines, : class C felony; punishable by up to 5 years in jail and $10,000 in fines, : class B felony; punishable by up to 10 years in jail and $20,000 in fines. . If you drive your car without the required insurance, you could receive a fine of $550 or more. Including lost wages, emotional distress, and medical bills that exceed your coverage. While this strategy will save you money in the short term, keep in mind that liability coverage can't be used to cover your own car accident injuries or damage to your own vehicle. Some states impose fines that can reach up to thousands of dollars, and the local DMV is most likely to suspend their driver's license for a few months. 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. Non-commercial auto accidents remain on your license for five years. 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.. 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. But if you can swing it, it can save you a lot of headaches, hassles, and expenses if youre in an accident caused by an uninsured driver., coverage. the vehicle's registered owner. This should remove traffic violations related to any accidents. During this suspension: You may not apply for a Washington driver license. 2. For example, first . Even if you dont think this is necessary, still go to the doctor to get an assessment. the identity of anyone who can give the police the above information. A non-fault claim is made when you are not to blame for an accident. If the car accident is severe or blocks a road, you should call the police immediately. Insurance companies dont want to insure drivers they deem as a risk, so its wise to get your driving record cleared if possible. In those states, if you did not have valid automobile insurance in place at the time of the accident, you're limited in the types of compensation you can receive for your injuries, and in a few states (like New Jersey) you can't recover anything at all against the at-fault driver. Hospital bills for car accident injuries can cost over $100,000 in serious incidents, so you may choose to get more extensive insurance to cover you should the worst happen. This guide will explain what happens when a car accident occurs and a driver involved in the crash is not insured. For the vast majority of cases, this system works fairly seamlessly, but when an accident occurs in which one driver suffers extensive injuries or even dies, then insurance companies become much more difficult to deal with. We'll go over what you need to know, what youll need to do, and how to lower the costs of your, even if youve had a ticket or two., Its a crime to drive without car insurance in Washington. You may be entitled to significantly more than they are offering, which is why its best to have an attorney review the settlement and give you their expert advice. Message. Weve already mentioned. No case is too small or too big for us. There are several key mistakes many divers make after being involved in an auto accident. 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