Car accident laws refer to an area of law that is a mix of traffic law and personal injury law. These laws involve the determination of fault in a traffic collision. Washington inhabitants need to stay informed on the accident laws in the state so they know how to protect their rights after an accident.
What Should You Do After A Car Accident?
If you are involved in or witness an auto accident in Seattle where medical or police assistance is needed, call 911. If the accident is minor and you don’t need the police to respond, you should exchange insurance information with others involved in the accident. In Washington, all drivers who are involved in an accident are required to stop at the scene without obstructing traffic and provide their name, address, and vehicle registration number to any driver or passenger of any other vehicle involved in the accident. Drivers also must provide this information to any police officer who responds to the accident. If there is over $1,000 worth of damages, you are required by law to report the collision to the Washington State Patrol. You can report your accident online via the Collision Report with Washington State Patrol
If a law enforcement officer investigates the collision, the investigating officer will file a collision report. If no enforcement officer investigates the collision, then each driver involved in the collision must submit a report within 4 days of the collision. You can Submit a report online or get collision report forms from your local police department, county sheriff’s office, or Washington State Patrol district office.
If you need a copy of your collision report for your insurance, you can request a copy of any collision report through Washington State Patrol’s website.
How Does Car Insurance Work In Washington?
Washington is an at-fault state. A driver who causes a car accident is responsible for compensating the other party or parties for their losses. A state’s status as an “at-fault state” has a greater impact on the responsibilities of insurance companies.
Payment is typically made through these insurance companies, with each state mandating a minimum coverage amount through a financial responsibility law
Every driver in the state of Washington must carry minimum insurance coverage for the following amounts.
- $25,000 in coverage for injuries or death of one person in an accident caused by the policyholder
- $50,000 for the total injuries or death to all people involved in an accident caused by the policyholder
- $10,000 in coverage for property damage in an accident caused by the policyholder
It is important to keep in mind that these requirements are just the bare minimum, and depending on the extent of damage to property or injuries sustained by a person in an accident, the minimum coverage might not cover the whole recovery amount.
In fault states, like Washington, you must go through the other party’s liability insurance coverage.
If the policy is not enough to cover your expenses, you can sue the person directly.
The insurance company will usually rely on the police report and any other evidence, such as witness statements or other documentation, to determine the policyholder’s percentage of fault.
The insurance company will then proceed with negotiating a pay-out on the claim.
Washington Is A Pure Comparative Negligence State
Comparative negligence simply means that when there is an accident, multiple parties can share fault. When such negligence is alleged, there is apportionment of fault between the parties involved in the accident.
Washington’s Pure Comparative Negligence Statute will not prevent you from recovering damages after a car accident even if you are responsible for the accident, but it will reduce the amount of compensation you win from the case.
Under pure comparative negligence rules, courts treat levels of negligence in terms of percentages. For instance, if you are held 40% at fault and you are awarded $200,000 in damages, you will eventually receive $120,000 after your percentage of fault in the accident is deducted from the damages awarded to you.
The “pure” aspect of the law in Washington means that there is no threshold of fault that a plaintiff has to be under to bring a claim. For example, a plaintiff can be ninyty-nine percent at fault for an accident and still recover one percent of his or her damages.
What If I Was Involved In An Accident With An Uninsured Driver In Seattle?
Washington’s financial responsibility law requires uninsured drivers and vehicle owners to be responsible for collision damages if there is a reasonable possibility that a court will make a judgment against them.
If an uninsured driver fails to pay collision damages, you may report it to the Washington State Department Of Licensing by completing a Motor Vehicle Claim for Damages within 180 days of the collision. The collision must have resulted in at least $1,000 in property.
Pacific West Injury Law – Personal Injury Lawyers In Seattle With Command Over Washington Car Accident Laws
If you are involved in a car accident in Seattle, you should get in touch with a lawyer right away. An experienced Seattle car accident lawyer will know what your injuries and mental distress are worth. At Pacific West Injury Law, our car accident lawyers in Seattle can establish which laws and factors are relevant to your case and provide a thorough understanding of those laws and how the local court system will interpret them. Car insurance companies in Seattle will try to deny your claim or pay you less than your claim is worth.
An auto accident lawyer at our Seattle personal injury law firm has the experience to know when offers are too low and can negotiate for a better amount.
If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident in Seattle, don’t try to take on the car insurance companies on your own. The team of legal professionals at Pacific West Injury Law can ensure you receive all the compensation you deserve.
Contact a car accident lawyer at our firm for a free case evaluation right away.
We have the experience, skills, and resources to get the job done.