How Car Accident Compensation Works in Washington State

Washington is a “fault” state for car accidents, which means the at-fault driver is responsible for paying your expenses.

To recover compensation after a car accident, you have three options. You can file a car accident claim with your own insurance company, if you have appropriate types of coverage on your policy. You can file a “third-party” claim through the other driver’s insurance. You can also file a lawsuit against the other driver.

Every state has its own car insurance requirements. Washington law sets the following requirements for all vehicles registered in the state:

• Bodily Injury Liability. Covers $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
• Property Damage Liability. Covers $10,000 per accident.

In addition, there are several types of optional insurance available in Washington state, including:

• Uninsured Motorist (UM) Insurance. This type of insurance covers you if you are hit by a driver who doesn’t have insurance, or doesn’t have enough to cover the full cost of the accident. This is not required in Washington state, but the insurance company is required to offer it to you.
• Collision. Covers damages that result from vehicle crashes, including both crashes between multiple vehicles and hitting a fixed object.
• Comprehensive. Covers damages that result from non-collision incidents like theft and vandalism.
• Medical payments. Covers medical expenses for you and passengers in your vehicle, regardless of fault.

You may file a car accident lawsuit in Washington state to seek compensation for your injuries. If you want to file you must meet the statute of limitations, or deadline, set under state law. For car accident injury claims, vehicle damage claims, and wrongful death claims, you have three years to take legal action.

Car accident injury and vehicle/property damage claims have a deadline of three years from the date of the accident. For wrongful death, the deadline of three years begins on the date of death.

Three years may seem like a long time, but your lawsuit will be stronger if you talk to an attorney sooner. You need to investigate and collect evidence in support of your case before it’s lost or forgotten. That’s why it's important you speak with an attorney to minimize the chances of your case weakening.

Every car accident case is unique, but the factors to calculate value are consistent. The severity of your injuries, how they’ve affected your life, and the available amount of insurance are all considered when estimating the worth of your claim.

You can be compensated for two types of damages, economic and non-economic. Economic damages result in a measurable financial loss. Some common examples include:

• Medical expenses. This includes doctor visits, medications, ambulance fees, surgery, and non-surgical treatments.
• Loss income. Lost wages due to an inability to work.
• Property damage. Physical damage to your vehicle or other personal property.

Non-economic damages are more subjectively determined. Some common examples include:

• Pain and suffering – Both physical and emotional discomfort and distress.
• Emotional anguish – Mental suffering.
• Loss of consortium – Being deprived of a personal or intimate relationship.

If you are wondering what the value of your case may be, speak with an experienced car accident attorney. They will consider the factors listed above and come up with an estimated amount.

When you’re hit by another driver who does not have insurance, your options may depend on your own insurance policy. If you have UM/UIM coverage, it will stand in for the other driver’s insurance. You can also file a claim for collision or MedPay benefits, if you have them. An attorney can investigate and potentially identify other sources of compensation, so it’s always best to get legal advice if you’re in this situation.