No matter where you live or how good of a driver you are, there is always a risk when you get behind the wheel. In the state of Washington, stolen vehicles continue to be a problem, which could result in your vehicle being hit by a stolen car.
If a stolen car crashed into your car in Vancouver, Washington, you need to hire an auto accident attorney as soon as possible. At Henderson Taylor Law Firm, our team of auto accident lawyers has handled hundreds of car accident cases and can help you navigate this process and get the coverage you need.
Keep reading to find out who pays for the damage if you’re hit by a stolen car.
If You’re Hit by a Stolen Car, Who Pays For Damages?
If your car was hit by a stolen vehicle, the at-fault driver most likely won’t have insurance to help cover your damages. Because of this, you will usually have to rely on your own policy, which also may not provide the type of coverage you need. The good news, at least, is that your insurance premium will not go up since you won’t be considered at fault for this type of accident in Vancouver, Washington.
One of the first steps you need to take if you are hit by a stolen car is to hire an auto accident attorney in Washington. An attorney can help you navigate this process, file a claim, and communicate with insurance carriers when looking for the right coverage.
Here is a breakdown of how you can find coverage for certain types of damages after being hit by a stolen vehicle.
Property Damage
If you have collision coverage this means that any car damage will be paid for by your insurance company. Unfortunately, you will have to pay a deductible but this will usually only be a couple hundred dollars instead of the potentially higher costs of extensive vehicle repairs. However, if you do not have collision insurance, you will most likely have to pay for any repairs out-of-pocket.
Medical Bills
If your car was hit by a stolen vehicle, you may have medical expenses depending on the extent of the accident. You will most likely have at least a few medical bills since you will want to get checked out to ensure you don’t have a concussion or internal injury.
For any kind of medical bills, PIP insurance can usually provide the coverage you need. Keep in mind that coverage is generally around $10,000 to $35,000, depending on the coverage you purchased. If you exceed the PIP coverage or you do not have PIP insurance, your health insurance will usually help you pay for your bills.
You can also look into the Washington Crime Victims Program, which helps victims of violent crimes who may not be able to pay for medical expenses. If you are the victim of a DUI driver or your vehicle was hit by a stolen car, you most likely qualify for coverage from this program. Depending on the program’s yearly budget, it may be able to pay for all of your medical bills.
Pain and Suffering
Ideally, you should have purchased a significant amount of uninsured motorist insurance or UM insurance for your auto insurance policy. This type of insurance coverage is specifically designed for situations where you are struck by an at-fault driver or an uninsured driver. UM insurance takes responsibility for the accident, providing the coverage that you need for any damages.
UM insurance is the best option if you want damages for pain and suffering if a stolen car crashes into your car. It can also help you pay for things like medical bills and lost wages; just keep in mind that there are a few more limitations to this than if you use PIP or health insurance.
What to Do if a Stolen Car Hits Your Car
If a stolen car crashes into your car, there are several things you need to do to protect yourself directly after the accident. Here is a step-by-step process of what to do when a stolen car hits you to preserve evidence and stay safe:
- Call 911: Directly after a car accident, you need to get to a safe location, if possible, where you won’t be in the roadway. Once you do that, call 911 to report the accident and have an ambulance and police officer sent to the scene.
- Check for injuries: Once you are in a safe location, check yourself and any passengers for injuries. You may notice superficial injuries such as flesh wounds, but be aware that some injuries are invisible, so you need to seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
- Gather evidence: To build a more substantial car accident claim, it is a good idea to collect evidence directly after the accident if you are uninjured. You can get the contact information of any witnesses who saw the accident and take photos of physical injuries and property damage.
- Report the accident: Your insurance company most likely requires you to report any vehicle accidents within a certain timeframe. You should report the accident to them but avoid discussing the accident or potential compensation over the phone until you have legal representation.
- Hire an attorney: As soon as possible after the accident, you also want to take the necessary step of hiring an auto accident attorney. They can help you navigate the complexities of a car accident involving a stolen vehicle, ensuring you get the coverage you deserve from your insurance policies.
Hire an Experienced Car Accident Attorney at Henderson Taylor Law Firm
It can be devastating if your vehicle is struck by a stolen car, and the at-fault party can’t be held responsible for your damages. If this is the case, there are different paths you can take to get the coverage you need for things like property damage, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
At Henderson Taylor Law Firm, our auto accident attorneys are committed to defending the downtrodden and helping car accident victims get the coverage they need to recover. For expert legal representation from one of our Vancouver, WA, attorneys, contact us today at 360-737-1478 or fill out our online form.
