What To Do If You Were Injured In A Hit-And-Run Accident In King County, WA

In this article, you will discover:

• The statute of limitations for filing a hit-and-run claim.
• How to gather evidence for a hit-and-run claim.
• Whether you can receive compensation if the hit-and-run driver isn’t found.

How Long Do I Have To File A Hit-And-Run Claim In Washington?

A “hit-and-run” claim, by definition, means you don’t know who hit you. Your personal insurance policy outlines the time limit for filing a claim.

Many insurance companies have different policies and contractual requirements concerning hit-and-run claims. Some companies require that there be physical damage to your vehicle. Others require a police report to be filed before they accept a claim. Some insurance companies have specific timelines within your insurance policy that determine what to do in the case of a hit-and-run.

Usually, in Washington State, you would have a three-year statute of limitations to file a claim against a driver who hit you. However, since that person ran, now the only redress you have is to turn to your own insurance company.

Assuming you have coverage for such an event, specifically uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, personal injury protection to pay for medical bills and comprehensive coverage to pay for damage to your vehicle, your insurance policy will set forth the steps you need to take when filing a claim for a hit-and-run collision.

Will My Insurance Rates Increase After A Hit-And-Run Claim?

If you file a claim, regardless of whether it’s your fault, your insurance rates will likely increase. Insurance rates also tend to rise on their own, even if you don’t file a claim. Still, these increased insurance rates should not prevent you from filing a claim for damages.

Attorney Matthew Hale is an experienced lawyer based in Burien, WA, who has helped clients just like you navigate the intricacies of automobile collision law. With more than a decade of experience, he is prepared to assist you with filing your claim after a hit-and-run accident so that you can get the compensation and damages you’re entitled to.

Still have questions? Ready to get started? Contact M.R. Hale Law at (206) 206-0213 today to schedule a free consultation.

How Can I Gather Evidence About The Hit-And-Run Driver?

Witnesses to the accident can often be a good source of evidence. Often, in a hit-and-run, a witness will write down the license plate number or have a dashboard camera that captures that information. Sometimes, witnesses will assist by following the car and taking photos to capture the make, model, and license plate.

Can I Still Get Compensation If The Driver Is Never Found?

If the driver can’t be found, the only way to get compensation is to ensure you have underinsured motorist, personal injury and other first-party coverages on your car. You can’t be compensated if you only carry liability coverage for the person you hit.

Why Should I Get A Lawyer For A Hit-And-Run Accident Claim?

Insurance companies will often delay, deny and defend against claims. For this reason, you need a qualified lawyer to review your insurance contract and ensure insurance companies fulfill their obligations.

Insurance companies frequently neglect to tell you what coverage you have and how it applies to your accident. Big, well-known insurance companies may turn around and say, “Liability is all on the other driver,” “You don’t have any coverage,” or “It’s not our problem.”

This is why you need a lawyer to review the insurance contract, see what your policy explicitly states, and make sure insurance companies abide by those standards.

What Should I Do If There Were No Witnesses Or Camera Footage Of The Accident?

In such cases, you will need to prove a collision happened and file a police report, and there must be visible, physical damage to your vehicle. If you take those steps and prove another driver hit and ran, you will have proven the claim needs to be accepted by your insurance company.

Still Have Questions? Ready To Get Started?

For more information on handling a hit-and-run accident in King County, WA, a free consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (206) 206-0213 today.