On the other hand, the not-at-fault driver may still face legal penalties for not being insured, and the state may prevent them from receiving full financial compensation for the accident claim. Drivers in fault states like Alabama have more options to receive compensation for their injuries after an accident. In some cases, you may be involved in a car accident with another driver who does not have insurance coverage even if you have a policy in place. Are you sure you want to rest your choices? For example, dont apologize to the other driver if you were not at fault or if youre not certain who was at fault. License suspension. There are two types of insurance laws - at-fault and no-fault. Police and insurance companies will gather all available evidence to decide who is at fault. Who Pays the Bills? Car Insurance Requirements in Washington. However, this doesn't mean that there are no consequences for causing accidents. Sometimes the fine costs more than a policy! In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service. What Happens if I'm in a Car Accident with No Insurance? CONTACT US TODAY FOR HELP WITH AN AUTO ACCIDENT IN WASHINGTON STATE. Potential jail time. If multiple people share fault, the damages recovered will reflect this by being proportionately reduced. There may be a small administrative fee, but youll avoid license suspension. Failure to pay the fine or set up a payment plan can result in the suspension of your drivers license., involved in an accident, things escalate quickly. Whether or not a car accident is your fault, you should: Call 911 if anybody involved in the accident has been injured. Car impounding. Being required to file an SR-22 form (certification of insurance coverage) to legally drive in the future. If someone is injured, its also common courtesy to ensure they receive the proper medical attention before leaving the scene. Driving a car without your valid driver's license on you is not as severe as . 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. Call for a free consultation at 727-937-1400 or visit us on the Web at www.serviceandjustice.com. 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. 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. To make any CTP claim you'll need the . This guide will explain what happens when a car accident occurs and a driver involved in the crash is not insured. 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 St Louis vehicle accident attorneys who can help take care of the following aspects of the case: Whether the accident happens in a no-fault state or not, no one likes getting into a car accident. The good news is, you do have a few options. Following a car accident in Washington, state law requires that you take the following 3 steps: Stop your vehicle at the scene of the accident (or as close to the scene as possible), Provide your name, address, insurance company, insurance policy number, and vehicle license number to any person involved in the crash, and Can You Receive Compensation for Lost Self-Employed Income after a Car Accident? If you are found at fault, you'll likely be personally on the financial hook for any injuries and vehicle damage resulting from the crash (since you don't have an insurance policy in place to cover those losses). You can use the tools on this page to connect with a nearby lawyer. the person in possession of the vehicle. Washington State law requires all drivers to have auto insurance to protect others from accidents and injuries. While Washington works on a pure comparative negligence policy, where shared fault reduces the percentage of compensation a party can claim in an accident, you may still face . 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. For instance, one driver could be 30% responsible for the accident, meanwhile the other driver is 70% responsible. If you drive your car without the required insurance, you could receive a fine of $550 or more. Washington is not a no-fault insurance state. If you are insured for property damage. Call the DMV to obtain your status. You might want to get witness accounts and their details, record photos of the accident and write down factors . A licensed driver without immediate possession of the license is subject to a fine of $10 to $500 and up to six months in jail. The specifics will depend on where you live: Normally, your insurance company would pay your legal bills and cover damages the other driver sustained, up to policy limits. This means when an accident occurs, the person who was at-fault will pay for the injuries and damages caused. This would pay out in the event that you are injured, regardless of whose fault the accident was. If youre in an accident without insurance, the Department of Licensing (DOL) will suspend your license if anyone is injured or a minimum of $1000 in damages occurs. The other driver drove away without stopping. If you do have insurance but the other driver doesnt, then what? 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. You must take it to any driver licensing office or mail it to: Driver Records Department of Licensing PO Box 9030 Olympia WA 98507-9030; What if I don't have a Washington driver license? Do I Need a Lawyer if an Insurance Company Denies My Claim? They should also document as much as they can through pictures and video. Your auto liability coverage would be used to help pay for the other driver's car repairs. In most cases, uninsured drivers get in accidents with drivers who have their own insurance company, and these companies are known for trying to save as much money as possible. However, the award will be decreased in proportion to the degree an injured party is determined to be at fault. Christy Bieber is a personal finance and legal writer with more than a decade of experience. Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. If youre hurt in the car accident, seek immediate medical treatment. On an additional note, you can read about whether or not someone can sue you for a car accident if you have insurance. After an accident in which both drivers are uninsured, there's more at stake on both sides when it comes to establishing fault for the accident. costs by more than $800 a year. Washington follows the pure comparative negligence theory. The WEIERLAW team can reduce your stress during this difficult experience. No-fault insurance is intended to reduce the demands on the court system associated with car accident-related lawsuits. Avvo Rating: 8.3. Moreover, even after paying the financial compensation, they may face other consequences, such as getting their driver's license removed or suspended. $50,000 for total injuries or death to all people . This must be done within four days of the accident occurring. Also say why you think they are responsible for the damage. They should have copies of this for you to fill out if you dont have access to a printer at home. Visit our Careers page, Dealing with an Auto Accident in Washington State, Washington State Department of Transportation Crash Data Portal, steps you should take after being in an auto accident, The 6 Most Common Damages From Personal Injury Claims, Pain and suffering is classed as a non-economical cost. If youve been in an accident and suffered damages, we can help make sure you are properly compensated. Its always best to consult a lawyer before accepting any settlement offer to ensure youre getting the best deal possible. How to settle without insurance. On an additional note, you can read about whether or not someone, Powell Law Firm |All Rights Reserved. The insurance of the at-fault driver will pay to cover the other drivers damages. No one ever wants to be in a car accident, and most people do their best to keep their insurance up to date. Youre entitled to be compensated for emotional anguish related to the accident. Well ensure you get the best settlement possible. Still, once the accident happens, the not-at-fault party deserves to get compensated, even if they weren't insured. You dont want to make an already bad situation worse! Get Your Free Consultation From a Lawyer Near You. If you are at fault for an accident, you may be required to provide compensation for any damages you caused. . If the car accident is severe or blocks a road, you should call the police immediately. 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. If you live or drive your vehicle in a no-fault state and have a car accident, all parties involved in the collision will cover the costs of their own repairs and damage and then recoup these costs from the other party. For a free case consultation, call us at (817) 476-1797. Washington State law requires all drivers to have auto insurance to protect others from accidents and injuries. If you have recently been involved in a car accident, do not hesitate in contacting us. The worst case scenario, of course, is that youre in an accident in which your medical expenses exceed the other drivers insurance policy limits. In Washington state, and other tort states, medical coverage will only pay out after fault has been determined. Economic damages cover the monetary costs including: In very serious auto accidents, its not uncommon for medical bills to exceed $100,000. Even if the at-fault driver of a car accident denies . This should remove traffic violations related to any accidents. Call Our Car Accident Lawyers for Help with Your Case. But if it does happen, heres what you need to know. Please try again later. This timeframe can be anywhere from 24 hours to a few days. . Make notes and talk to witnesses, take copious amounts of pictures, and gather as much evidence as you can. Before submitting a lost wages claim, you should know . 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. How to Deal with a Car Accident Without Insurance - Not-at-fault, What to Do After an Accident Without Liability Insurance, If the driver lives in a state that demands car insurance to be able to drive, they're going to be, In States that Don't Require Car Insurance, Penalties for Driving Without Auto Insurance, In most cases, uninsured drivers get in accidents with drivers who have their own insurance company, and these companies are known for trying to save as much money as possible. 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. Having them at the scene will help reduce the likelihood of people involved becoming aggressive and all those involved will be able to complete a police report. Best deal possible a few options a car without the required insurance, you:... 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