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Washington Car Accidents Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Personal Injury and Wrongful Death for Washington on
Q: Is a commercial driver who kills a pedestrian while driving on a suspended license usually issued a citation?

My son was struck and killed by a commercial truck whose driver's license was suspended in "the 3rd degree". My son was a pedestrian, and granted he was no in a crosswalk. But shouldn't the driver of the truck at least have been issued a citation for driving on a suspended... View More

Tyler Young
Tyler Young
answered on Jul 31, 2020

I am so sorry about your son. I just became a dad and can't imagine how difficult it would be to lose a child.

What the police or prosecutors decide to do to the driver of the truck criminally has minimal, if any, impact on your potential wrongful death claim. I've seen dozens of...
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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: Can I take someone to small claims court for driving and damaging my car?

They drove my car while under the influence 2 months ago but no evidence of under influence but I didn’t know they were, and now my car is damaged, the front bumper piece is coming off it’s 1800$ in damage

Stan Glisson
Stan Glisson
answered on Jul 30, 2020

Sure you can, if you can demonstrate that he or she is responsible for the damage. If you are interested in small claims court, here is a link to the Kitsap District Court's information page about small claims:

https://www.kitsapgov.com/dc/Pages/SMALL-CLAIMS-FORMS-AND-INFORMATION.aspx

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Car Accidents and Small Claims for Washington on
Q: Dog sitter threw a party at my house ran over our dog, then moved the body to a different street to hide the evidence.

We hired a dog sitter to watch our house and dogs. They threw a party and someone hit the dog. They pulled the hose from our house, which we had put back before our departure, and washed blood from our driveway. The hose was left strewn across our yard. At this point the we don't know if the... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Jul 17, 2020

I am so sorry to hear this! That is horrendous. You can file a police report for animal neglect/abuse/cruelty (depending on your local laws) and also tampering with evidence. You can also sue this person for negligence, breach of contracts, conversion, trespass to chattels, and possibly other... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Civil Litigation, Insurance Bad Faith and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: Does res judicata and/or collateral estoppel apply to a small claims judgment?

If a plaintiff succeeds in small claims court and receives a judgment, can the loser (defendant) later file a lawsuit in King County Superior Court over the same matter? This involves an auto accident in which each party blames the other. The matter was heard in King County District (Small... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jun 28, 2020

This is something a Washington attorney should advise on, as it involves state court practices. But your question remains open for three weeks. As a GENERAL matter, it's unlikely that a suit would be filed against you if the matter stems from the same claim/controversy and involves the same... View More

4 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Civil Litigation, Libel & Slander and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: A friend who is 17 of my daughters was driving her car and began excessively speeding real fast and there were 5 people

In the car and they all were pleading with him to slow down over and over but he refused to listen and he flipped the car and my daughter almost died and her friend was also hurt is it his responsibility to pay for damages?

Robert C. Hahn III
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Robert C. Hahn III
answered on Jun 16, 2020

I'm a Washington lawyer not an Oregon lawyer. The laws are likely different between the states. But you should go consult with a personal injury attorney in the state the accident took place as soon as you can, even if it is just over the phone. Your situation will likely have multiple... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: I just got full coverage insurance on my car 2 days ago. Will my insurance cover damage on my car that I caused today?

I was trying to park in an awkward spot in my driveway and scraped up against my retaining wall. There is a dent and some deep scratches to the metal on my rear passenger side door.. I have full coverage. Will it be covered if I pay my deductable?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 31, 2020

It should. Some carriers use midnight as a starting point, some commence immediately, but whatever the basis for activating coverage, a policy that began two days ago should be good. You should be able to see effective date of coverage on your insurance ID card. Good luck

Tim Akpinar

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: What should I do when someone with no auto insurance hit my car?

My car was parked at my apt parking lot and we just got contacted by our apt office that our car got hit by someone. They gave us contact # of that person. When we contacted, he says he does not have insurance and he just started working. But also, he says he would like to pay for the damage if we... View More

Stan Glisson
Stan Glisson
answered on Apr 29, 2020

If you have insurance that would cover it, you could make a claim through them.

If not, you have some options. If he doesn't pay, you can report him to the DOL for an uninsured accident, and they have the power to suspend his license if he doesn't compensate you. Also, if he left...
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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Small Claims, Federal Crimes and Military Law for Washington on
Q: I was hit by a military cop and need to file a tort claim for damages to my vehicle. Who do i file the claim with in wa?

I thought i was being pulled over so i pulled over and got rear ended by a JBLM MP who was responding to another call looking at his computer. I live in wa state.

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Apr 24, 2020

If you were injured contact aWashington State Assn for Justice member member in the county where it happened--they give free consultations. If it's just damage to the car, if you have collision run it through that, let them deal with it. Start by getting estimates, and the base JAG corps... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Insurance Bad Faith and Insurance Defense for Washington on
Q: My repair shop told me the law prevents them from accepting cash for my deductible payment. Is this true?
Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Apr 23, 2020

Check with the insurance commissioner. If the wreck wasn't your fault, the other person should be paying.

2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: How much does a personal injury lawyer cost?
Stan Glisson
Stan Glisson
answered on Jan 30, 2020

Most of the time a personal injury lawyer gets paid from the recovery they get for you from the person who injured you. Standard fee is a third of the recovery, but different cases can result in different fees. Usually the recovery comes from the other side's insurance.

In my...
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2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Insurance Bad Faith for Washington on
Q: Broke ankle exiting truck, off work 12+ weeks. Filed claim for lost wages. Insurance denied citing a case and stating:

"Washington State law states that once your vehicle is parked it is no longer considered to be an automobile". Next step to contest???

Kevin R. Richardson
Kevin R. Richardson
answered on Jan 8, 2020

You likely have a Labor and Industry claim, but you need to provide much more information. The best response is to call an attorney and set up an appointment to speak about the specific facts of your claim. Most law firms, including our own, provided no-fee consultations. Feel free to reach out... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: My car was in an accident (not our fault) insurance company fixed but there are still issues with the car

we found out the the back frame was bent but the repair place missed it. State Farm is denying our claim because they say that any accident could have caused it. However (with a Car Fax) our vehicle has only been in one accident. The one that they were in. what is my next move?

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Dec 18, 2019

Ask the shop to formally request a supplemental. If it's denied file a complaint with the state insurance commissioner. If the adjuster didn't do an on-the-lift inspection but just a walk around that wouldn't show the frame.

2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: Legal advice on a third party at work in company vehicle auto injury settlement.

I was rear ended by a third party while at work in a company vehicle. They’re trying to settle a day after the accident but I had to miss more days of work due to being out on light duty and having to have the doctor sign. I’m not trying to get as much money as possible but at the same time, I... View More

Stan Glisson
Stan Glisson
answered on Dec 17, 2019

You should absolutely talk to a lawyer before you agree to any settlement. We have seen it over and over, the insurance company is highly motivated to settle your case cheaply before you get any advice. They will also try to commit you to saying you are feeling OK, that your injuries aren't... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: Canadian had MVA Washington state in 2015. Case settled.funds held by attorney in trust,attorney has died.How toget fund
Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Nov 6, 2019

1)make claim against the estate 2) call the Wash State client security trust fund, and whatever organization licenses attorneys.

3) if necessary hire counsel but the bar association should also help you.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Car Accidents, Civil Litigation and Insurance Bad Faith for Washington on
Q: Please read below

The petitioner was a secondary insured for Respondent. Petitioner totaled his car and submitted a claim to Safeco, he died 10 days later of a heart attack, not related to the accident. Safeco wrote the insurance check out to Respondent and Petitioner. I asked the insurance to write the check in my... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Oct 22, 2019

Looks like you have to open an estate. If the decedent died because of his injuries there is a claim and you would want to speak with a member of the State of Washington Assn for Justice in the county where it happened--they give free consults.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: I’m in need of advice on how to go forward with an insurance claim from a motor vehicle accident I was in.

The insurance company went with a claim that was making me pay for damages on the vehicle I did cause. Cops were not called at the time of the incident, either was the insurance company. I’m also being made to pay for his rental car.

During the midst of this, I did end up having to call... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Oct 21, 2019

You'd need to speak ask a Washington attorney about this, but your question remains open for a week. Your insurance carrier should be making arrangements to assign an attorney to defend you in the claim by the other vehicle. Good luck

Tim Akpinar

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: I dont have Insurance but the guy who backed into me does. He was at fault . What can I do ?

He stated that since I didn't have Insurance he did not have to give any ins. Info out. But I still got his Lic. ID and vehicle plate. Then he drove off.

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jul 11, 2019

He's full of hot air. File a police report. They'll reach out and touch him.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: My fiancé was in an accident at a light, she had a green arrow and turned but another lady ran her red light and hit her

Now, the lady says different of course, that her light was green. The responding officer took both they're statements and didn't give anyone a ticket. We come to learn months later that he did cite her for failing to yield, but my fiancé was never notified. Do we have any options to... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Apr 19, 2019

I suggest you see if you can reopen it. What often happens though is the police send it to the address on the license. If your fiancee changed addresses but didn't notify DOT they only have to send the ticket to the address on the license. That won't affect her claim against the other... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: I may be sued for damages resulting from a car accident. Is there a way to protect my family and safeguard our assets?

We have a condo in both our names, and a car in my name. I was probably at fault in the accident, but was not cited.

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Feb 7, 2019

Report it to your insurance company. Before they pay anyone they will require a release so you should be protected. In many states the jointly held property is protected.

1 Answer | Asked in Federal Crimes, Personal Injury, Car Accidents and Native American Law for Washington on
Q: Are GOV vehicles registered to a tribe required to have insurance if driven off the reservation?

23 year old tribal member involved in accident off the reservation. No insurance, but is a GOV truck registered to the tribe. Who is held liable, non-insured driver or the tribe that's the registered owner?

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jan 23, 2019

Generally both. Tribal law governs on tribal land. Take the vehicle outside the rez or national boundary, then the state law applies. However tribe should have some type of umbrella policy.

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