The fact of the matter is, the accident still happened, regardless of whether or not there's a police report. Driving without insurance has different penalties depending on where you live, who caused the accident and how much damage was done. A car accident, also referred to as a "traffic collision," or a "motor vehicle accident," occurs when a motor vehicle strikes or collides another vehicle, a stationary object, a pedestrian, or an animal. You dont want to make an already bad situation worse! In states like California, you can't recover "non-economic" damages like compensation for pain and suffering, but you can still get reimbursed for your medical bills. Most auto accidents in Washington State are dealt with by insurance settlement negotiations, rather than a formal court case. Insurance companies will not offer you compensation for any of these damages. This could cost up to tens of thousands of dollars, which is much more than simply hiring an insurance company. License suspension. Make notes and talk to witnesses, take copious amounts of pictures, and gather as much evidence as you can. 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. 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. Arrest. Also, it's important to know that no-fault insurance is not mandatory in every state. You could also face legal consequences such as a license suspension. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses who may have seen what happened. The main difference is who pays for medical costs. An experienced attorney can consider the specific circumstances of your situation and explain your options. Go to License eXpress, which is the DOL website. The insurance policy must have limits of at least: $25,000 of bodily injury or death of 1 person in any 1 accident. the state's DMV will revoke your driver license and vehicle registration for at least one year, and, the state's traffic court will fine you up to $1,500, and. In other words, you will have to pay them out of your own pocket. Driving while uninsured can have consequences, including: Fines. Only in limited circumstances is this possiblespecifically, where injuries are deemed "serious" or "significant" under the state's threshold definition, or when medical expenses exceed a certain amount, such as $20,000. Car accidents can be terrifying experiences. While some car accidents result only in property damage, others result in severe injuries or death. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may also be used to help pay for damage and injury caused by a hit-and-run accident or a phantom vehicle. Plus, dealing with an insurance company can be stressful, especially if youre recovering from injuries. Driving uninsured is a terrible idea, as most states in America require to have some sort of auto insurance to be safe while driving. Keep your original quote and a copy of the letter," they advise. It is no defense to these lawsuits to tell the court, "I can't pay that amount." 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, . However, the award will be decreased in proportion to the degree an injured party is determined to be at fault. States that do not follow a "no-fault" insurance systemthis means the vast majority of statesare called "tort" states. Whether or not a car accident is your fault, you should: Call 911 if anybody involved in the accident has been injured. In many states, that means buying only liability coverage (which applies to injuries and vehicle damage incurred by other people in an accident caused by you). SR-22 requirements. License suspension. If the at-fault driver doesn't have auto liability insurance, they must pay for all the damages and injuries they caused. Exchange all required information with the other driver, and get as much documentation of the accident as possible. and the other driver is insured, you can file a claim with their insurance company for any medical bills or vehicle damage that you have, even though youre uninsured. Our team at WEIERLAW are experts in auto accident cases. 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. Amber Reed is an insurance writer based in Portland, Oregon. ). You might even have a lower deductible under these circumstances. Sincerely, Arthur D. Leritz This could include medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and physical and mental pain and suffering. Non-commercial auto accidents remain on your license for five years. You might be using an unsupported or outdated browser. If youve suffered extensive pain, then youre entitled to be compensated for that as well. 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. Washington: $550-$1,000 $1,381 West Virginia: $200-$5,000 $1,494 Wisconsin: $510 $1,177 . The police report is useful to have, but you dont want to rely on it as the sole source of information about the accident. 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. The not-at-fault driver has the right to seek compensation if they live in a no-fault state. Keep a copy of the letter. For example, first . Some states have what's called a "no pay, no play" law, limiting the compensation you can receive after a not-at . These rules can prevent you from making a claim for non-economic damages (medical costs, pain and suffering, etc.) According to the Washington State Patrol, anyone (driver, bicyclist, pedestrian, or property owner) involved in a car accident in the state of Washington must complete a Motor Vehicle Collision Report if the crash resulted in: damage of $1,000 or more to any one vehicle or other unit of property, and/or. Drivers are able to sue the at-fault party for almost any type of loss after the accident. Therefore, they may blame the other driver, even if their clients were at fault. If the other driver has insurance and you believe they were responsible for the damage caused to your car, you can make a complaint through Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). These states are New Hampshire and Virginia, but they still have to pay a $500 fee to the Department of Motor Vehicles in Virginia. 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). To make any CTP claim you'll need the . Your state's laws and your insurance company heavily influence . No-fault car insurance states. 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. Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. Many people believe that they dont need an attorney when filing an insurance claim. That rate hike is the largest in California, where an accident more than doubles insurance rates. Whether you were at fault for the accident or were not and are now seeking damages, this guide will take you through the process of dealing with an auto accident in Washington State. Learn more about Contingency fees here. Whether the cause was distracted driving, disregard for traffic laws or other factors, over 30,000 of these collisions resulted in injuries to one or more individuals. They can sue you for $20,000, but because you are jointly responsible, they will only be granted $10,000. 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. Ill admit, Im young with 2 accidents. If you drive a vehicle that is required to be registered in Washington State, you must have one of the following: Motor vehicle insurance. Both parties should exchange contact information. 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. What if youre hit by an uninsured driver in Washington? 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. You could file a third party claim with their insurer to collect damages for all losses you incurred. the state's traffic court will fine you up to $1,500, and. . Who Pays the Bills? California: Three years from the date of the accident 1. Here are the top ones you should avoid. Usually, the more severe the accident, the higher the number. More than a dozen states follow some version of what's known as a "no-fault" car insurance system. You are not required to obtain liability insurance in New Hampshire or Virginia. You may have a claim for personal injuries if you were hurt, but the owner of the car you were driving will be the one that will deal directly with the at-fault insurance company for the property damage to the car. Do you know how to reset the Bluetooth in a Mini Cooper? When you've been the victim of a motor vehicle crash, give Craig Swapp & Associates a call. That means when an accident occurs, fault is assigned to one or both drivers. Although 32,106 resulted in no injuries, 325 were fatal and 973 resulted in serious injuries. However, they must be aware of their state's statute of limitation, as the claim must be filed within this time range, or they may miss the opportunity to get compensation. you'll need to pay the DMV a $750 civil penalty to restore your driver license. If an uninsured driver gets in an accident, they mustn't make the huge mistake of running away. They should have copies of this for you to fill out if you dont have access to a printer at home. Scenario #3: You are uninsured, and the other driver is also uninsured. If you're driving without valid car insurance and you're involved in a car accident, here's what to know at the outset: The most important thing to do is stop and stay at the accident scene until you've taken proper action. If you're absolutely sure you're not at fault, it's best to be proactive and take stock of the scene. 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. Tragically, the fatal crashes covered by the AAA report resulted in the deaths of 21,049 people. In fact, 45 fatalities were due to alcohol-related accidents. 1. 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? Although the uninsured driver may face penalties, they still need to prove they're not at fault for the accident. Make sure you and anyone else involved is uninjured, and call 9-1-1 and/or give first aid as needed. Please contact our attorneys by filling out the form below. A full explanation of the accident is conducted before assigning fault. Remaining quiet is the way to go, as the other party may be recording what's being said. In other words, Alabama is not a no-fault state. On the other hand, if you think the accident was the other driver's fault, you could be in for an uphill battle in trying to pursue an injury claim as an uninsured driver. Otherwise, they may face legal repercussions, and in that case, they may have to also pay for legal fees and representation in court. We are devoted to handling any disputes that might arise from your case to ensure you are receiving the best possible settlement. During this suspension: You may not apply for a Washington driver license. I have a Mini Cooper as a rental car for the next week, and theres a whole bunch of stuff in the Bluetooth menu from previous users. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners. When you are not-at-fault. Your auto liability coverage would be used to help pay for the other driver's car repairs. To do this, send the driver or their insurance company a letter of demand asking for the cost of repairs, towing and storage. 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. Here to keep you safe and fully informed is, that you can depend on. 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. 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. If you did not cause the accident, never say anything which could be construed as admitting fault. If the car accident is severe or blocks a road, you should call the police immediately. 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, . As weve previously said, Washington is a comparative negligence state. 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. 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). Driving a car without your valid driver's license on you is not as severe as . This is a less formal process that begins by submitting a claim with the insurance provider of the person at fault showing the evidence of damage caused. Posted on Jul 9, 2013. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. 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