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Washington Car Accidents Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Car Accidents and Employment Law for Washington on
Q: I am searching for US case law to establish myself as an owner operator ( independent trucker ) for a lawsuit

I was in an accident. The other driver was at fault. The company I was leased to filed a claim against my loss thereby screwing up my case. The insurance company is awaiting proof of ownership even though I sent them my contract along with my claim

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Nov 30, 2017

There are several claims you may have. For what was in the truck, for damage to the truck or trailor, for your damage (injury/medical bills/lost wages).

I suggest you contact a member of the State of Washington Assn for Justice--they give free consultations.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: I am the registered owner of a car. My daughter drives the car and has it insured on her own policy in her name.

My daughter is 33 years old. I would transfer the car to her name, but when I bought the car I purchased an extended warranty that is good for another year. If I don't make a claim on the warranty the money I paid for it ($2300) will be refunded to me. I'd like to have the chance to get... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Nov 30, 2017

A lot depends on Washington law but generally, your insurance would be secondary to hers. Do you have the car listed on your policy? If not list it as a covered vehicle. In most states the person has to show you were at fault to hold you (as oppsed to your insurance) personally liable.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation for Washington on
Q: I was driving my personal vehicle when driving from sales meeting in tri cities to work in yakima and i was on the cloc

During the middle of a winter storm while commuting from meeting to work site i hit black ice and totaled my car and got a concussion. Is my employer responsible for my car financially they did pay my hospital bills.

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Nov 11, 2017

Only if you had an agreement with them. Otheriwise, presumably you received mileage which in part would compensate you for insurance which is what should cover your damage. If you chose to not get insurance, your baby.

However you have a comp claim and should contact a member of the State...
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2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: Accident! I'm not at fault. I'm not reg owner of car. Is reg owner responsible? Me: no lic/ins Driver: no lic but ins

I was rear-ended at light by guy with no license but car insured. I have no license or insurance and was sighted for no valid operators license w/ valid ID. The car belongs to my roommate I'm in process of purchasing it and he's freaking out thinking he's going to get in trouble and... View More

Stan Glisson
Stan Glisson
answered on Nov 10, 2017

Your roommate is fine, nothing is going to happen to him. Make sure you (both) transfer the title when the sale is done, it can be a crime if you don't. In the meantime, respond to the ticket within 14 days or it will go to collections. If you contest or mitigate it, and get a license prior to... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Traffic Tickets for Washington on
Q: If you cause an accident with no license and no insurance what kind of trouble could you be in?

If your at fault for a minor accident with no insurance and no license and only phone numbers were exchanged at the time of the accident what kind of legal action can be taken against You? The other party is saying there is alot of damage now what should I do?

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Nov 6, 2017

Pay the damage and get a full release of all claims. You could foul things up by not having insurance or a license in which case it's unlikely--but possible--your car could be impounded if you insist on driving it.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Traffic Tickets for Washington on
Q: How does a person have a driving record amended? Court says our son was not at fault but still shows on driving record.

Our son was uninsured when he drove his vehicle and was hit by a commercial van April 2017. The police report says it wasn't his fault, and the driver of the van stated at the scene it was *his* fault. The police report states our son is V2 and V1 was at fault. Our son received a citation in... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Oct 14, 2017

First get court records, contact dmv see what you can do.

Second if that doesn't work contact your state legislators.

If he was hurt in the crash, contact a member of the State of Washington Trial Lawyers Assn--they give free consults.

2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and DUI / DWI for Washington on
Q: Mother arrested for 2nd offence DUI, she ran a red light and was struck by a vehicle, she denied her breathalyzer.

How much would it cost to get her out and would we need the money up front? What would the process be like?

Jason Powers
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answered on Sep 21, 2017

The cost to get her out (I assume you mean out of jail) is the bail amount. Check the website of the jail she is being held in and you should find the bail as it is set. If you do not have the full amount you can post 10% if you go through a bond company. Most bond companies are very efficient... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: I loaned my friend my truck. She hit a car. No insurance on truck. Am I financially responsible?

Can I backdate a bill of sale to her to avoid financial responsibility?

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Sep 11, 2017

You can only have a bill of sale if you had in fact sold it to her on that date and that can be proven. Fooling around with dates makes you look shifty --or worse, and can cause other issues of a felony nature.

If she had insurance that should be next up. However, under most state laws if...
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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Insurance Bad Faith for Washington on
Q: What is my option in my home damage?

Dear Expert,

My house was hit by a truck due to driver's medical condition.

However, both my home owner’s insurance, and driver's insurance all denied their coverage. My home insurance agent excuse is because I was not living there when the accident happened. (I rented... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Aug 10, 2017

Get the policies. Get the police report. State Farm's claim is based on a "sudden emergency. " That's only good if they can show he didn't have that condition before. Even with a heart attack,the person knows it's coming, can go to the side of the road to have it.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: if my x boyfriend was in a wreck in my car and the car was towed is the officer obligated to inform me of the tow?

I was unaware he did not have a license

he showed the officer a fake bill of sale that isnt even a legal one in this state

car is still registered to me

was 3 blocks from my residence i could have picked it up but officer refused (supposedly )

x boyfriend was... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Aug 6, 2017

They should if you are the owner, but at this point get the car out of there--or if you have collision your car insurance will pay the tow, but tow rates go at a heavy rate regardless of whether you have an argument to make.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: Car accident w no insurance. There were no visible damages or injuries.

I got into an accident at no fault of mine there were no visible damage to the vehicle no injuries. I didnt have coverage at the time we did exchange info and i took pictures to show that the other vehicle was fine. I didnt have any coverage at the time so there was no police report made. What are... View More

Michael R. Charbonneau
Michael R. Charbonneau
answered on Jul 24, 2017

Your options depend on how the other person tries to charge you a ridiculous amount. If he or she is just calling you insisting that you pay them, you can pretty much ignore them for the time being.

If they attempt to sue you, you will need to do more. It also will depend on what they...
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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Insurance Defense and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: When calculating a personal injury settlement, are property damages incurred in an accident separated?

What I mean by this, is when using a calculator such as this one http://www.alllaw.com/articles/nolo/personal-injury/calculator.html

where we assume that medical bills are equal to 3500, property damage is equal to 5000, and lost wages are equal to 60, which we then multiply by 3 as the... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jun 29, 2017

Forget the formula. That's bogus. If you lost an eye would 3 x the medicals be enough? No way. If you had one ER but went in as trauma and the bill was 19,000 and no follow up after, do you think they'd pay 3x19?

If your crash is serious enough to consider uninsured, you should...
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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: Don't have a license or insurance. Got in a accident. And it wasnt my fault will Thier insurance. Fix my car
Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jun 24, 2017

They should. If you were hurt you may have a claim for injuries and should contact a member of the state of Washington Assn for Justice--they give free consults. Do not give tape recorded statements until you talk to them.

Get an estimate from whoever you'd want to fix the car of what it will cost.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: my friend rented a moving truck and hit a car port in my apartments who is at fault me or her?

No one reported it. Now the apartments say only I, not anyone else on the lease has to pay 2500$. I was not driving and I do not have a drivers licens. And the driver is not on the lease

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jun 24, 2017

Was the person your guest? Staying there? The friend should pay. Also his truck rental insurance or car insurance should pay. Look at your lease; ask them to state why you are responsible not your friend's insurance.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: Is the RV loan co-signer responsible for damages in case of an accident if the RV is insured by the primary user?

My sister wants to co-sign on a travel trailer loan for me since I do not have currently have a job. If she does so, what is her responsibility if I am in an accident where third parties are involved?

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jun 24, 2017

None, but if you don't have money the gas guzzler needs to be fixed, and if the collision doesn't cover it she will be paying a lot of money on a set of wheels she doesn't own. Suggest you and or she try borrowing or renting an RV to see how you like paying for the gas, how you like... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Elder Law and Wrongful Death for Washington on
Q: If a person is on aricept and they get into a car accident - what are the concerns with lawsuits?

Not sure if there is a dementia diagnosis or not - insurance will cover but can the other party sue the driver/family and take everything? What is the history of lawsuits in this regard? Reviewing NC DMV website - MD has not reported to DMV any concerns about this person.

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Apr 4, 2017

The driver and his doctor may have exposure if the person is a danger. If they are, the family have a moral duty to reign them in.

As far as assets, it depends on the state, if there's a spouse, etc. Can the person be sued?Any person can. Best protection is get a large policy. the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: Where to find an attorney to fight for loss of consortium claim?

1. Legally separated couple

2. Husband was rear ended and settled his claim separately with third party insurance company.

3. Since they are legally separated now wife's loss of consortium claim is still alive.

4. Insurance company is offering only $1000 to settle that... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Mar 2, 2017

Contact a member of the f Washington State Association for Justice. They give free consults. My advice--take the 1000. Only rarely are there significant amounts for loss of consortium. Yours may be a uniquely compelling case, but generally juries take the position it's for better or worse,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Criminal Law for Washington on
Q: Can you be charged with reckless driving for an incident that you were already given a 2nd degree negligent driving tick

Shohomish county WA is were the incident took place

Brian Lehman
Brian Lehman
answered on Mar 1, 2017

Yes: As the website below explains, "section three of the statute says, basically, is that if you’ve been charged with a crime because of your crazy driving (say reckless driving or reckless endangerment, or even DUI), you can still be cited under this section. They are just pointing out... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Criminal Law and Wrongful Death for Washington on
Q: A 16 year old gets into an accident DUI. One of her passengers dies. What is she charged with, and what is the penalty?

The driver has an intermediate license issued by the state of Washington. She is legally able to drive with the amount of passengers she had in the car and at the time she was driving. However, the driver was under the influence of cocaine. The passenger that died due to the motor vehicle accident... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jan 8, 2017

She could be charged with a number of offenses; if you want detail for a book talk to someone with lots of experience in the DA's office. Could be tried as an adult given aggravated nature of circumstances.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: Passenger of car wreck suffering injury years later.

I was on the highway with a buddy my buddy was the driver... It was about 11pm. We were going the speed limit and also sober. Out of nowhere a construction driver was on the side of the road and he drove right in front of us. We clipped the side of his vehicle and spun about 5 times and ran into a... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Aug 25, 2016

You were injured years later--if you are asking can you make a claim, if a passenger I'd sue both but if it's "years" chances are there is a statute of limitations issue.Contact a member of the State of Washington Assn for Justice.

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