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Washington Car Accidents Questions & Answers
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?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Aug 4, 2024

A Washington State attorney should advise here - since each state has different rules for spousal exclusions for claims involving occupants of the same vehicle.

Check with a local attorney. Ordinarily (where no family ties are an issue), the answer is a clear "yes," and it still...
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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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3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: I was a 17 yo driver in accident with 3 passengers. Two were 17 and one was 22. All 3 were taken away by ambulance.

The 22 year old passenger in the passenger rear seat did not want to put his belt on, and caused damage to the front passenger, and me the driver, upon collision. I am now being sent invoices from two of the passengers insurance companies that I am to pay for the ambulance fees, in the amount of... View More

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Jan 10, 2024

I agree with attorney Selik. If there was a policy of automobile insurance covering the vehicle at the time of the accident, then report it to them if you have not already do so. Additionally, provide them /forward them a copy of the invoices, etc. you are being sent. If there was no insurance... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: I was a 17 yo driver in accident with 3 passengers. Two were 17 and one was 22. All 3 were taken away by ambulance.

The 22 year old passenger in the passenger rear seat did not want to put his belt on, and caused damage to the front passenger, and me the driver, upon collision. I am now being sent invoices from two of the passengers insurance companies that I am to pay for the ambulance fees, in the amount of... View More

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Jan 9, 2024

Hopefully you had insurance. Turn this over to your insurance. You may also want to hire your own attorney to oversee that the insurance company is protecting your interests.

If you had no insurance, hire your own attorney right away.

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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
PREMIUM
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.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: The other driver is at fault. Does my suspended license cancel their liability?
Steve Dashiak
Steve Dashiak
answered on Apr 30, 2024

Not at all. The worst that can happen is you get a ticket, and if the citation wasn't given at the scene, I wouldn't expect one.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets and Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: I'm told by a WSP that I'm free to go&I'm not getting an infraction cuz it wasn't my fault, Can they change their mind?

They said they saw the whole thing (accident) & it wasn't my fault cuz I was in the roundabout first. I didn't get a ticket that day, just a "receipt of information" for insurance. Then after the weekend they said they had dashcam footage that showed it was my fault&... View More

Jahnis John Abelite
Jahnis John Abelite
answered on Nov 8, 2023

The first thing to keep in mind is you have 33 days from the date of mailing of the ticket to you (look at the postmark on the envelope in which the ticket was mailed) to respond to the court. You will have to contact the WSP to obtain a copy of the dashcam recording so you can review it. But you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Domestic Violence for Washington on
Q: Can I get pain and suffering or a settlement from someone who vehicular assaulted my child and I.

My son and I were involved in an incident that involved vehicular assault to our bodies (not in another motor vehicle “ and the person fled the scene and is uninsured with a suspended license. I went to the hospital for the injuries I sustained and I’m in severe pain.

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Nov 8, 2023

Yes you can.

You might have uninsured motorist coverage. Also, you can sue the at-fault driver.

2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: I got ran over in a crosswalk in Seattle was in harbor view for several days and need to follow up PT. How do I persue

I have several fractures in my pelvis, knew, and ribs. I am not steady mobile and had to turn down two new job employment opportunities. I am looking to have the lady how ran me over cover my medical expencies

Egan Patrick Kilbane
Egan Patrick Kilbane
answered on Oct 8, 2023

I am extremely sorry for your circumstances.

Typically, if you have health insurance, that will be your first source to pay medical bills and ensure access to the continuing care that you need. Then, as part of your claim for personal injuries, you will seek reimbursement for these...
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2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, DUI / DWI and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: Had a DUI accident a 1yr ago, did a BAC test, and got charged with DUI and Vehicular Assault but haven't been convicted

It's been a year since the accident I had in WA. Told the officer I had 2 glasses of wine, and did a BAC test but the results haven't been released yet. I had a court date a few days after the accident but it got postponed because they were still investigating. I haven't received... View More

Jahnis John Abelite
Jahnis John Abelite
answered on Aug 25, 2023

Your lawyer should be able to investigate the case and request a copy of the police report. The lawyer should also run your name on the JIS system to see if a court case has been filed. You should have requested a DOL DUI hearing from the Washington DOL within seven days of your arrest. You should... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: No insurance claim: am I required to pay for a rental car for the other party while car being fixed?

Also, should I get the other party to sign something saying the repair bill has been paid so they can’t come back and say something else is wrong?

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Jun 21, 2023

Yes, the at fault party is responsible for the loss of use (eg rental car).

You should get a valid, signed, full release.

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, DUI / DWI, Car Accidents and Employment Law for Washington on
Q: Will a vehicular assault charge always disqualify you from working with children/vulnerable adults? Other jobs?

I was convicted of vehicular assault 11 years ago, since it never leaves my record will it always show on a background check? I am looking into switching jobs but I am unsure of what restrictions this charge still has.

Stan Glisson
Stan Glisson
answered on May 9, 2023

Most times Vehicular Assault would be eligible to vacate after ten years. You might want to consult with an attorney to see if you are eligible.

It's not a "crime against persons" so in most contexts wouldn't be an automatic disqualification. But certainly would look...
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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Health Care Law and Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: Does a Proof of Representation or a Consent to Release allow an insurance adjuster access to all of my medical records?

I am in the middle of negotiating a settlement amount with the at fault drivers insurance company and they have sent me a Proof Of Representation and a Consent to Release form saying I have to fill out both in order to receive my settlement check. I am a Medicare recipient but have kept my... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 27, 2023

A Washington attorney could advise best, as it's possible some claim forms might be state-specific. In terms of release of medical records, a HIPAA form is generally used. Such forms generally provide for selection of the scope of medical information to be released (range of dates of service,... View More

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