How Can You Protect Yourself in a Car Accident When the Other Driver Has No Insurance in Washington?

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Have you been in a car accident where the other driver has no insurance? If so, here is everything you need to know about what this means and how you can better protect yourself from this type of situation.

Getting into a car accident in Vancouver, Washington is already an overwhelming and stressful situation as this can be very inconvenient and expensive, especially if you are injured. Getting into a car accident where the other driver has no insurance adds even more complications as this means they can’t cover your damages.

If you are the victim of a car accident and the other party has no insurance, you need to hire a car accident attorney in Washington. At Henderson Taylor Law Firm, our team of car accident lawyers has handled hundreds of car accident cases in Vancouver, Washington and can help you get the compensation you deserve.

Keep reading to find out what happens if you are in a car accident and the other driver has no insurance.

What Happens in a Car Accident When the Other Driver Has No Insurance?

You may be wondering what happens if you get hit by an uninsured driver in the state of Washington, where having insurance coverage is required. Unfortunately, just because drivers are legally obligated to have insurance coverage, there is no guarantee that every driver on the road will have this coverage. Having uninsured drivers on the road can result in complications for you if an at-fault driver isn’t insured and cannot pay for your damages.

Many Washington residents may not be aware that Washington is particularly bad when it comes to uninsured drivers. In fact, data shows that 16.1% of Washington drivers are uninsured. This puts insured drivers at significant risk since you may be left with the bill for the damages as a result of the accident.

Insurance coverage is legally required so that the victim of a car accident will not be financially responsible for their damages. Insurance is designed to cover things such as:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Property damage
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Legal expenses

If someone gets into a car accident without insurance, they won’t have the insurance coverage to help cover the damages of the victim of the accident.

How to Sue Someone For Hitting Your Car Without Insurance

Many drivers may decide to take the step of suing the at-fault driver if they are uninsured. You can sue someone who hit your car without insurance as a way of trying to receive compensation to help you cover your damages. This is when you pursue the at-fault driver specifically, holding them financially responsible.

For the best chances of success, you need to hire a car accident attorney to represent your case and help you file your lawsuit. An additional step you should take is to report the uninsured driver to the WA State Department of Licensing.

Protecting Yourself From Uninsured Drivers in Vancouver, Washington

The only real way to protect yourself from a car accident when the other driver has no insurance is to have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This is a type of coverage that is combined in Vancouver, Washington, providing you with specific coverage for instances involving uninsured or underinsured drivers. This type of coverage is not required as you can opt out of it when you get your insurance policy.

As tempting as it can be to skip getting UM/UIM coverage, it is in your best interest to have this as a part of your policy. Depending on how much coverage you choose, this ensures that you won’t be paying for injuries or property damage out-of-pocket if you are hit by an uninsured driver. It also provides protection from underinsured motorists since some drivers may have only the bare minimum coverage.

Another option drivers in Vancouver, Washington, could take advantage of is personal injury protection. PIP coverage will help pay for your medical expenses and wage loss as a result of motor vehicle injuries. This is a type of coverage that will apply no matter who is at fault or if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured.

You can get PIP coverage that pays anywhere between $10,000 to $35,000 in medical bills or more. It is considered to be one of the more superior types of medical insurance as it applies to some situations that basic UM/UIM coverage doesn’t cover. However, you need to keep in mind that this coverage only applies to medical expenses and won’t cover property damage.

What to Do If You’re Struck by an Uninsured Driver

In a car accident where the other driver is not insured, there are specific steps you need to take directly after the accident to protect yourself, such as:

  • Call 911: Once you get to a safe location, contact 911 to report the accident and ask for medical care. The 911 operator can send over law enforcement as well as an ambulance.
  • Exchange information: You need to take the necessary steps to exchange information with the other driver as you would in any type of accident. Keep communication to the bare minimum and avoid discussing the accident with them.
  • Document evidence: if you are not seriously injured, it is a good idea to document evidence at the site of the collision. Get the contact information of witnesses, take photos, etc.
  • Contact your insurance company: The majority of insurance companies require drivers to report any type of collision within a certain timeframe, so you should do this as soon as possible.
  • Hire an attorney: As soon as you can, you need to hire a car accident attorney to represent you as you are navigating the aftereffects of being in an accident with an uninsured driver. They can also help you navigate communication with insurance companies.

Hire an Experienced Car Accident Attorney at Henderson Taylor Law Firm

Like other states in the US, Washington requires drivers to carry a certain amount of insurance coverage to protect themselves and other drivers on the road. However, this does not necessarily mean that every driver has that insurance coverage, which can lead to complications if they cause an accident.

At Henderson Taylor Law Firm, our car accident attorneys are committed to defending the downtrodden and protecting the rights of car accident victims in Washington. For expert legal representation from one of our attorneys, contact us today at 360-737-1478 or fill out our form online.

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