Driving without insurance has different penalties depending on where you live, who caused the accident and how much damage was done. You can also get a liability bond if you opt out of the state minimum requirements. The WEIERLAW team can reduce your stress during this difficult experience. The specific consequences vary by state. Get Your Free Consultation From a Top Lawyer. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) I have no auto insurance. Insurance companies dont want to insure drivers they deem as a risk, so its wise to get your driving record cleared if possible. However, with the right lawyer, they may still be able to get some money out of the settlement. If you are found liable after a trial and you are ordered to pay the other driver's damages, a judgment will be entered against you (more on this below). Here are the top ones you should avoid. In some states, however, there are No Pay/No Play rules. If you're absolutely sure you're not at fault, it's best to be proactive and take stock of the scene. 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. 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. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. So yes, you can still file a car insurance claim to get compensation with no police report. This app is great, but the customer service is even better! Of course, if youre under the influence of alcohol or found guilty of negligent driving and someone is injured, you also face legal action and a possible prison sentence. Avvo Rating: 8.3. Contact us online or call (509) 866-4166 and well ensure that you get a fair settlement. If the other driver was at fault for the accident, you may be able to recover compensation from their insurer. A fantastic way to do this is by calling the Powell Law Firm, the best law firm in Missouri with incredible lawyers who ensure an excellent attorney-client relationship and a high-quality service. However, the award will be decreased in proportion to the degree an injured party is determined to be at fault. Moreover, even after paying the financial compensation, they may face other consequences, such as getting their driver's license removed or suspended. Most importantly, they will handle the stress of paperwork and dealing with insurance investigators. 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. If they find their insurance policyholder to be at fault, they will make a settlement offer. If youre hurt in the car accident, seek immediate medical treatment. Driving a car without your valid driver's license on you is not as severe as . If someone is injured, its also common courtesy to ensure they receive the proper medical attention before leaving the scene. Learn more about Contingency fees here. 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. If you are at fault in an automobile collision and you do not have insurance, your driver license may be suspended if you do not pay for the resulting damages and/or injuries. The good news is, you do have a few options. Driving without insurance has terrible consequences, but running away from the scene can even make the at-fault driver face criminal charges. 3806 Tieton Drive Yakima, WA 98902 Get Directions. . However, if an uninsured driver gets in an accident, they must know how to deal with it without facing hard penalties. If you do not have an automobile liability insurance policy, you are personally responsible for paying these damages to the injured person. the vehicle's registered owner. No-fault insurance is also known as personal injury protection insurance, or PIP, and it's designed to pay for medical expenses and lost wages resulting from your car accident injuries, regardless of who caused the accident. If you believe you aren't at fault, you can send a message or a letter requesting that the other driver pays for the repairs and any losses. Volkswagen Passat 3.6L 4Motion Luxury Insurance Cost. A no-fault state, unlike Washington, requires that drivers purchase an insurance policy that pays out regardless of who is at fault. These roads have the highest number of accidents per year. Your auto liability coverage would be used to help pay for the other driver's car repairs. 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. The main difference is who pays for medical costs. Once paid, youll be able to print your driving record or send a copy to your email to save it digitally. If you have suffered a personal injury in a car accident, get in touch today and let us handle the case for you. You can get your driving record from Washington State in person, online or through mail. 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. If you've been involved in a traffic accident, you must give the police any information that will help identify: the vehicle's owner. If you're uninsured and involved in an accident, things escalate quickly. If you get into a car accident with no insurance, you could be held personally responsible for the other drivers losses if you were at fault for the crash. If you cause a car accident and are the at-fault driver, you will be financially responsible for any damage you cause if you don't 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. Weve already mentioned. Under Louisiana's "Wallet Program," a digital image of the driver's license presented via the driver's cellphone is sufficient. Whatever method you choose, youll pay a $13 fee. There are two types of insurance laws - at-fault and no-fault. Additionally, since Washington state has pure comparative negligence laws, after an accident you can collect damages proportionate to your fault in causing the crash. 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. Failure to pay the fine or set up a payment plan can result in the suspension of your driver's license. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. Amazing! Getting a free case evaluation is as easy as calling the number at the bottom of this page. Exchange information with anyone involved in the accident. No, Washington state is not a no-fault state. One person could be responsible for 100% of the damages, or 10 people could all be 10% responsible, depending on the circumstances. For example, if youre rear-ended by another driver, it will still appear on your license record but it will be logged as involvement, not fault. Like uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, PIP must be declined in writing., How important is it to have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in Washington? . If youve been in a bad accident, you need to focus on recovery, not handling the legal matters involved with your claim. Washington drivers have the option of carrying PIP or Personal Injury Protection insurance. Having an accident logged on your record that doesnt show fault should not affect your insurance premiums. 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 you're caught driving without insurance, you may face: Tickets and fees for failing to provide proof of insurance. The court could take actions such as putting a lien on their property or garnishing their wages to help you recover your money after you get a judgment against the driver. In fact, 45 fatalities were due to alcohol-related accidents. A, , and the punishment depends on the details and outcome of the accident. If you are in a car accident and you do not have insurance coverage, the outcome of this situation will vary depending on many factors including the rules where you live as well as who was at fault for the collision. Lets say somebody was 98% at fault for an accident, they are still able to claim the other 2% from the other driver. If the other driver did not stop to give you their details, you can report the accident to the police. If you drive your car without the required insurance, you could receive a fine of $550 or more. They should have copies of this for you to fill out if you dont have access to a printer at home. If you were hurt in an accident, call our Dallas car accident attorneys at The Queenan Law Firm today. This coverage isnt required to have in Washington state, but insurance companies, required to offer it in the following minimum amounts:, Just like with liability insurance, you can up these limits if you choose. However, if the accident involves an alcohol-related conviction, it will remain on your record for life. Washington State law requires all drivers to have auto insurance to protect others from accidents and injuries. 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. If the accident is reported by a police officer who attends the scene, you dont need to file a separate report later. According to a 2019 study by the Insurance Information Institute (III), slightly, more than 21% of Washington drivers were uninsured, This means 1 out of every 5 drivers you see on the road in Washington is uninsured. Read more: Read about airbag injury laws from auto accidents. Ask the other driver to respond within a specific time, 14 days for example. Keep in mind, too, that you are legally required to call the police if the accident caused injuries or deaths. Escalate quickly still file a separate report later you their details, may. Party is determined to be at fault, they may still be able to compensation. 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