Uninsured Motorists in Washington State
Washington state has the 5th highest rate of uninsured drivers in the country, with estimates indicating that 21.7 percent of drivers are uninsured, according to a study conducted by the Insurance Research Council. This means over 1 in 5 drivers on Washington roadways choose to drive illegally without auto insurance. The legal term for drivers without insurance is uninsured motorists.
Underinsured Motorists
Underinsured motorist coverage applies when someone who causes an accident has insurance but carries limits insufficient to cover the full extent of damages. In Washington state, the minimum insurance limits are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, which may not always cover all damages. The law refers to these drivers as underinsured motorists. Whether or not a driver is underinsured depends on the facts of the case and the amount of the damages caused.
Importance of Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Getting in a car accident is stressful enough, especially when the person who hits you is either uninsured or underinsured. That’s why it is crucial to ensure you and your family are protected by carrying uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This coverage is the only way to ensure you have sufficient protection since you cannot control the actions of other drivers on the road.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can also be beneficial in cases of hit-and-run accidents or collisions caused by a phantom vehicle that cannot be identified.
Challenges of Recovering Compensation
Securing compensation directly from someone without insurance can be challenging. They may not have sufficient assets, and pursuing legal action to obtain a judgment can be time-consuming and costly, often without any guarantee of recovery. Therefore, having uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is highly advantageous.
Verifying Your Coverage
Many people think they have “full coverage,” but this can be misleading. Check with your insurance company or review your policy declarations page to ensure you are properly covered. Also, verify if your policy includes Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which provides no-fault insurance for your medical bills and lost wages, regardless of who caused the accident.
Consulting an Attorney
If you are dealing with an uninsured/underinsured motorist claim, it is important to consult an attorney. Washington state has specific laws for handling first-party insurance claims, which involve working with your own insurance company. Ensuring that your claims are properly managed is crucial, as your insurance company might not always act in your best interest. Having an attorney who is well versed in insurance bad faith is critical – Call Spencer Injury Law at (425) 300-1955 for a free consultation to discuss your situation further.
