Seattle Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Accident Lawyers
A surprising number of people do not have the amount of auto insurance mandated by law. Drivers who fail to get adequate coverage run the risk of being involved in a crash and not being able to seek financial compensation for their losses. Additionally, victims of drivers who do not have coverage may be left wondering how they will get the compensation they need. Victims of injury car accidents who have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in Washington have a greater chance of getting fair compensation for their losses regardless of whether or not the other driver had insurance.
Washington State Car Insurance Requirements
Under the Revised Code of Washington 46.16, all Washington motorists must have insurance of at least:
- $25,000 of bodily injury or death of one person in any one accident.
- $50,000 of bodily injury or death of any two persons in any one accident.
- $10,000 of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is not required by law but insurance companies are required to offer it as an option. In fact, all Washington insurance providers are required to provide this type of coverage unless the client has put in writing that they do not want uninsured motorist coverage. If you do not remember refusing such coverage, chances are you are covered. Even so, it may be in your best interest to review your policy to make sure that you are protected. This type of insurance protection is vital because so many drivers on Washington roadways do not have insurance or don't have sufficient insurance to cover all damages caused.
Accidents Involving Uninsured Motorists
Washington has a history of having a large number of uninsured motorists. A 2007 report by the Insurance Research Council listed Washington as having the 10th highest uninsured motorist rate in the country. The national average that year for uninsured drivers was 13.8 percent. The state of Washington had the rate of 16 percent. As tough economic times make Washington residents decide what they can live without, more and more people are putting auto insurance at the bottom of the list. This will have a serious impact on car accident victims who will be left shouldering the burden of medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages incurred in the aftermath of a crash they did not cause.
Washington Hit-And-Run Accidents
Drivers who do not have insurance may feel tempted to leave the scene of a crash for fear of being held financially responsible. All Washington drivers would be well-advised to remember that it is a serious offense to leave an accident when someone has been injured without first calling the authorities and exchanging information. Victims of Seattle hit-and-run accidents may be able to seek financial compensation for the crash whether or not the at-fault driver is found by the authorities. Uninsured motorist coverage should also cover injuries and damages caused by hit-and-run car accidents.
The experienced Seattle car accident lawyers at Hardwick & Pendergast help their clients understand their legal rights and options. We fight to get our clients the compensation they need and rightfully deserve following a Washington car accident with a motorist who does not have sufficient insurance coverage. To discuss whether or not you are able to seek financial compensation for the injuries you have suffered in a car crash, please call our law offices today.
