All car accidents are frightening and traumatic, but learning that the driver responsible for the accident lacks insurance may leave you overwhelmed and uncertain of your options. What do you do after a car accident with an uninsured driver in Washington? Of course, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in Everett, but here’s why:
Under Washington’s licensing law, drivers must carry at least the minimum required auto insurance. Although uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage isn’t mandatory, all insurers must offer this valuable policy. Drivers who choose to decline coverage must sign a written waiver. Keeping UIM coverage allows an injury victim to file a claim against their own uninsured motorist policy to recover compensation after an accident with an uninsured driver.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident With an Uninsured Driver
The immediate aftermath of an accident is often filled with alarm and anxiety, especially if you or a loved one is injured. However, taking specific steps to protect your physical and financial well-being is important. If you’re physically able to take action, doing the following can help:
- Use your cell phone or ask an uninjured person to use their phone to call 911 to report the accident
- While you wait, use the phone’s camera to take photos of the damaged vehicles and anything relevant to the cause of the accident, such as potholes, obstructed signs, skid marks, or a traffic light
- Add the contact information of the other driver
- Add the contact information of eyewitnesses
- Go directly to the hospital from the accident scene
At the hospital after an accident, always request a full medical evaluation as well as treatment for your emergency injuries. This helps to diagnose injuries with delayed symptoms and also documents evidence that your injuries occurred in the accident.
How To Handle an Uninsured Motorist Claim In Washington
According to the Insurance Information Institute, an alarming 15.4% of drivers are uninsured. During the days and weeks after an accident, do the following:
- Report the accident to your insurance company within the time limit specified on your policy
- Obtain a copy of the accident report with law enforcement’s observation that the other driver lacked insurance and was issued a citation
- Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully and attend every appointment
- Keep copies of all medical bills and receipts for related expenses
- Document your lost work days
If the uninsured driver caused the accident, you may still recover compensation through your uninsured motorist policy if you chose to keep your coverage.
How Does a Car Accident Lawyer Help After an Uninsured Motorist Accident?
Filing a claim against an uninsured motorist policy isn’t always as straightforward as it sounds. Insurance companies sometimes undervalue claims to protect their profits at your expense. A car accident attorney in Everett protects your best interests after an uninsured motorist accident by pursuing all avenues for compensation, including the following:
- Carefully calculating your economic and non-economic damages
- Filing a compelling claim for the maximum compensation for your damages with your uninsured motorist coverage
- Hold the at-fault driver personally liable for your damages through a lawsuit if they have significant financial resources
- Investigating all aspects of the accident to determine if any other entities are liable or partly liable for causing or contributing to the accident
Under RCW 4.22.070, all those who cause or contribute to another individual’s injury in Washington can be held liable for damages. For instance, if a hazardous road condition, such as a dangerous pothole or obstructed sign, contributed to the accident, an attorney can pursue compensation from the negligent road maintenance agency. If a defective seatbelt or airbag contributed to the severity of the injury, a claim against the at-fault party could recover additional compensation. Contact Wells Trumbull today.