After a car accident in a no-fault state, you must use the personal injury protection coverage of your own auto insurance policy to pay for medical bills and other losses out of pocket, regardless of who caused the accident. The insurance appraiser tells you that he received the police report and learned that the other driver doesn't have car insurance. Read on to learn the details of Washington's auto insurance rules, how coverage is likely to affect a car accident case, and the types of penalties you can expect if you drive uninsured in the state of Washington. In addition to car insurance, there are also other routes you can take to properly ensure that you are covered in the event of an accident.
These are two different ways in which this standard rear-end accident could be a big problem for you if you only have the minimum Washington state car insurance policy. Make sure you're protected because Washington State's minimum auto insurance policy alone isn't enough. This means that the person who was at fault for causing the car accident is also responsible for any resulting damage (from a practical point of view, the at-fault driver's insurance company will absorb these losses, up to the limits of the policy). Regardless of the reasons, if you are found guilty of the accident, it will be your insurance that will have to pay for the other driver's injuries and damages.
Legally, before you can drive your car anywhere in the state of Washington, you must purchase car insurance. Like personal injury insurance, property damage insurance covers third parties in the event of an accident that you cause. While uninsured motorist (UM) coverage isn't mandatory in Washington, it can protect you and your passengers if the at-fault driver doesn't have insurance or if you're the victim of a hit and run. Specifically, bodily injury insurance covers medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of mobility, etc.
The other driver could claim that you changed lanes right in front of him and braked suddenly, causing him to crash into your car from behind. In Washington, as in every state, car insurance is sure to play an important role in any claim filed after a traffic accident.