Washington drivers have a financial responsibility to fulfill. They meet these requirements by purchasing liability insurance, becoming self-insured, or acquiring a bond or certificate for $60,000. If they fail to comply with laws dictating this responsibility, they could face litigation after an accident.
What to Do After an Accident
An accident victim has a few options to collect compensation. Since Washington is a fault state, they could file a claim through the accountable driver’s policy. This could require a third-party to facilitate the claim. Next, they could file a claim through their own auto insurance policy. Lastly, they could file a formal claim through the court. They have a three-year window to file a lawsuit or make any attempt to collect damages.
The Most Appropriate Outcome
An auto accident attorney in Centralia, WA will help the victim assess potential outcomes. Initially, the attorney evaluates the evidence available to determine if a lawsuit is feasible. The first step is to assess the findings of the accident report.
Compensating Permanent Injuries
Accident victims that sustain permanent injuries could acquire larger settlements. When calculating these opportunities, the court must evaluate their earning potential for the rest of their lives. This is the case when the injury stops them from returning to work. These damages are calculated according to the potential life span of the victim. All existing medical conditions are considered when these values are calculated.
Permanent injuries such as loss of limb, disfigurements, or severe scarring could produce mental or emotion anguish for the victim. In these instances, tort rulings are utilized. The court could award non-economic damages beyond the value of the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. The lowest liability coverage amount for one accident victim in Washington is $25,000.
Drivers who are found at fault for accident injuries face several probabilities. If they aren’t compliant with insurance laws, they could incur a fine of $450. The severity of the victim’s injuries could increase the non-economic and economic damages assigned. Accident victims who are ready to enforce applicable laws against these drivers should contact an auto accident attorney in Centralia, WA at Putnam Lieb Potvin Attorneys right now.
