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Washington Car Accidents Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Traffic Tickets, Criminal Law and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: Can body cam footage suppress perjured statements in WA collision?

I was involved in a collision with another vehicle, after which the responding officer issued me a ticket for following too closely. The officer's report inaccurately stated that I mentioned following the other vehicle and described a sequence of events involving braking. I have obtained body... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 4, 2025

You can move in your infraction hearing to admit the body-worn camera video as evidence and to strike any portions of the officer’s report or testimony that directly conflict with what the video shows.

At your prehearing conference or by written motion under the Rules of Municipal Court...
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2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Criminal Law, DUI / DWI and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: Find out if vehicular assault charges pending, 20 months post-accident.

In August 2023, my girlfriend was involved in a head-on collision in Washington State, where both parties were injured, and blood samples were taken but results took approximately 14 months. Initially charged with a DUI, it was later changed to vehicular assault. It’s been 20 months since the... View More

Cristine Beckwith
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Cristine Beckwith
answered on Jun 6, 2025

You will want to contact a criminal defense attorney in your area for a private consultation. Pre-charge representation can sometimes result in a better outcome. From what you have described, it is much more likely than not that charges will be filed. Best of luck in your search.

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3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Car Accidents, Insurance Defense, Civil Litigation and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: Am I liable for a lawsuit if driving for a bankrupt company?

I was driving for a company and performing my job duties when an accident occurred, resulting in both vehicles involved being totaled. The company initially said they would handle the situation, but it has since gone bankrupt. Now, I've received a lawsuit despite having personal insurance... View More

Emery Brett Ledger
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answered on May 8, 2025

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Navigating liability after a car accident while performing job duties can be complex, especially when the employer has declared bankruptcy. Here's an overview based on Washington State law:

1. Employer Liability Under Vicarious Liability...
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3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Insurance Defense and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: Hit-and-run accident after police chase: delay insurance claim?

I was involved in a hit-and-run accident resulting from a police chase. The police have apprehended the driver at fault, but I am unsure if they have insurance. I hold comprehensive, collision, and underinsured motorist coverage, but I have not been in contact with the driver's insurance or... View More

Steve Dashiak
Steve Dashiak
answered on May 7, 2025

There is no reason to delay. The determination of insurance coverage for the other driver could take a while. Also, people running from the police are more likely than average to not have any insurance. You should get your car repaired under your collision coverage. Since it wasn't your fault,... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: Who is at fault when my daughter hit a car from behind at night without it having lights on and claimed brake troubles?

My daughter was involved in a night-time car accident where she rear-ended another vehicle. She was driving within the speed limit of 35 mph. The other vehicle was stationary without its lights on, and the driver mentioned having brake problems, but these issues were not documented in the police... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 14, 2025

You're right to ask questions—rear-end accidents often seem straightforward, but there are important details in your daughter’s case that could shift how fault is viewed. Normally, the driver who rear-ends another vehicle is presumed at fault because they are expected to maintain a safe... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Criminal Law, DUI / DWI and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: Find out if prosecution decisions are pending in a Vehicle Assault DUI case from 2003 in WA.

My friend was involved in a head-on car accident in August 2003 and was charged with a DUI, which later changed to Vehicle Assault DUI at the hospital. The case went under investigation, and we were waiting for blood sample results from the state, which took over a year. Despite the case supposedly... View More

Stan Glisson
Stan Glisson
answered on Mar 24, 2025

2003? Or 2023?

I would have a lawyer handle it if I were the friend. You want them to be able to investigate and find out where the case is, but not in any kind of way that might make his situation worse. It's certainly possible that sample is still at the lab for testing, or that the...
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5 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Personal Injury and Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: My car was totaled and there are claims in excess of my policy limit of 25,000 Should I file bankruptcy?

I do not have umbrella coverage and I am about to retire.

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Feb 3, 2025

Filing for bankruptcy relief is a major step, and you need to confer with an experienced lawyer. with full facts of your financial condition to your lawyer in advance of that conference.

Do that as soon as you can, as the best lawyer help is BEFORE any more happens.

On top of your...
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2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Car Accidents and Legal Malpractice for Washington on
Q: Can I challenge or reduce an attorney’s lien due to conflict of interest and inadequate representation?

I was rear-ended while driving, and my former attorney represented both me (the driver) and a passenger. I repeatedly raised concerns about the passenger’s fraudulent claims, but my attorney ignored them and continued representing her, creating a significant conflict of interest and a breakdown... View More

Merry A Kogut
Merry A Kogut
answered on Jan 22, 2025

I'm so sorry to hear about your accident and your attorney's behavior. I share your concerns, as you laid them out.

The Washington State Bar Association is very good about helping clients resolve problems with their attorneys. They offer at least two types of help - one is...
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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: I am in Seattle. I had full responsibility for a traffic accident. What should I do?

I am an international student who only kept Chinese driver licence, driving my friend's car which had not renewed its insurance. I collided with another car at an intersection when I tried to make a turn. What penality is going to give to me and my friend?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jan 29, 2025

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. It would depend on the judgment and discretion of the traffic safety officer responding to the accident. Without knowing more details, there could be violations involving the license issue and possibly... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: I was a backseat passenger wearing a seat belt when the car I was in was involved in a collision with another vehicle.

No citations, no police. The driver of the car was driving without a valid DL. I am told he has an out of state license but he did not have it on his person. The owner was in the passenger seat and was not carrying a license either but does have one in good standing. The MVC happened this past... View More

Merry A Kogut
Merry A Kogut
answered on Dec 25, 2024

First off, if either the driver or the owner of the vehicle in which you were a passenger has automobile insurance, ask them for a copy of their insurance card, and file a claim with their insurance company. If neither has insurance, contact your OWN insurance - auto or homeowners may cover you in... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: I was a backseat passenger wearing a seat belt when the car I was in was involved in a collision with another vehicle.

No citations, no police, no insuance. The driver of the car has no valid DL nor insurance. The owner was in the passenger seat and was not carrying license. And, i dont think the car is presently insured, possibly no title and unknown about registration. This happened this past weekend. What court... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jan 17, 2025

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for four weeks. I'm sorry about your accident. The questions you raise are valid ones, and they show good analysis. The last question you pose may be the most practical one, in terms of whether there are competent... View More

Q: I was a backseat passenger wearing a seat belt when the car I was in was involved in a collision with another vehicle.

No citations, no police, no insuance. The driver of the car has no valid DL nor insurance. The owner was in the passenger seat and was not carrying license. And, i dont think the car is presently insured, possibly no title and unknown about registration. This happened this past weekend. What court... View More

Antone Alfred Weber
Antone Alfred Weber
answered on Dec 18, 2024

You need a Personal Injury lawyer, not a traffic lawyer.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Insurance Bad Faith and Insurance Defense for Washington on
Q: What type of lawyer do i need for CONTESTING an AUTO PREMIUM INCREASE & how should i most effectively go about it?

on October the 8th i ended up rear ending someone in an accident, i filed a claim with my insurance & was determined to be at fault. Now my insurance knows about the traffic infraction i received then from the police report. Which i am contesting with my traffic ticket attorney. So anyways, im... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 19, 2024

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. There are attorneys who handle insurance-related litigation. It sounds like you already have an attorney handling ticket-related aspects of the matter. In terms the insurance premium issues, it's worth... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: Car accident. I need to know if I can take this person to court.

I was in a car accident. I was hit from behind. I was in traffic, stopped in the HOV lane and was rear ended. I had my daughter in the car which is why I was able to be in the HOV lane. The person who hit me was not paying attention and slammed into the back of me. He did not have insurance, it was... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 14, 2024

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. Until you are able to speak with a local attorney in Washington who handles such matters, the short answer is, "yes, you could sue." However, you may want to consider learning about the UM (uninsured... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: Guy on scooter apparently grazed my car, didn’t stop kept going, appntly not injured; anything else I must do?

Guy on a lime scooter wasn’t watching, & grazed my front bumper going left to right as I came to the parking lot exit. He kept on going which to me indicates he wasn’t injured. There’s only a small scrape on my bumper I’m not even sure was from his scooter. I’m not interested in... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Sep 24, 2024

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for three weeks. If any video surveillance footage is available for the parking lot exit, you could request copies. You could photograph the superficial damage on your own vehicle. You could discuss in further detail with a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: I live in WA state but I was stopped in st Paul for a stolen vehicle. Can the charge ɓe dropped and the case thrown out?

I had my mother's van and I had her keys. While in wa state my ex was driving and a car hit us. He kept going and didn't stop because he had no license. The police called my mother and told her she had to report it stolen or she'd be in trouble. Do she said it was stolen. I was taken... View More

Cristine Beckwith
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Cristine Beckwith
answered on Aug 28, 2024

Sorry to hear. You will want to contact an attorney in the St. Paul area, as Minnesota has jurisdiction and their laws will apply. Best of luck in your search.

2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: My husband was in a car accident where he was the at fault driver. I was the passenger and broke my hand and two finger

The surgery for my hand cost over $40,000 and my PIP only covers me for $10,000. We are under the same insurance policy.

Am i able to sue my husband's insurance for my medical bills?

Will this affect my husband negatively, and if so, how?

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Aug 2, 2024

Use the Justia Find a Lawyer tab and search for car accident or injury lawyers in your area---call a few of them and ask if they provide free consultations---for the ones who do, meet with 1 or 2 (or as many as you like) of the lawyers to discuss the specifics of your situation and how best to... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: I was hit by a truck crossing the crosswalk and the guy driving the truck did not own it can I sue both people
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Aug 5, 2024

You or your attorney might name both parties in a lawsuit, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you will have a double recovery. The company that operates the truck would ordinarily be accountable for injuries/damages arising from the actions of their employee in the course of their... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Criminal Law and DUI / DWI for Washington on
Q: what if you have no prior offenses and crash your car total it drunk and totally a mercedes’ in the state of washington
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 1, 2024

A Washington criminal defense attorney could advise best, if you need to discuss any charges. Your question probably remained open because car accident attorneys (the chosen category) deal more with civil damages (money for injuries or vehicle damage). You could reach out to criminal defense... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: The other driver is at fault. Does my suspended license cancel their liability?

I have a suspended license. Today I was in an accident where the other driver was at fault.

Does my licence status release them from liability?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 9, 2024

A Washington attorney should advise as to specifics of how suspended license affects claimant's rights. In general, the other side could still be considered liable as a general rule. However, different jurisdictions could limit the scope of damages recoverable - that's where a local... View More

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