I was involved in an accident today. I was rear-ended while stopped for a school bus. It was clearly the other guys fault. He volunteered his insurance information so I got all of that but then before I could call the police...he left. I reported it to my insurance company and was told that since WA is a no-fault state that I would be responsible for my deductible to get my car repaired. I couldn't believe it. It just doesn't seem right that he can hit me, damage my car, and then he is not responsible for any of the damages. Does anyone have any experience with this? Is there anything I can do?
Well, you could file a hit and run report. they're supposed to stay for the police. Don't be too surprised if you find out the information you got was bogus... it happens here all the time. Fake ids, fake insurance papers, they give them to you and if no police show, they're off the hook.. Regardless, make sure to send your own insurance company notice of the accident. Just the facts: on x date at x time at x and x intersection you were hit in the rear bumper by X driver, x car, x license plate. There were personal property damages and personal injuries the extent of which you are not yet certain... or something like that. It makes sure a claim is filed with your insurance company, and it protects you if you find in a day or 2 that you're hurt... it lets you recover under your own liability insurance. If I were you, I'd file a hit and run report with the police... and I'd send that notice of a claim letter to your insurance company certified rr... IF you find you really got the other person's info, I'd send one to them too... but I'm not at all familiar with no fault... sounds like it sucks by the way... I think we have something like comparative fault... or if it's 80 your fault 20 my fault... etc etc the damages are proportionately split... Good luck. I had an accident last year and I'm just now getting a check for the car... and it's been MONTHS.
OK.....I was looking at a listing of no-fault states and WA is not listed as one. I now wonder if my insurance company knows what it is talking about. Does anyone know anything about this or if WA IS or IS NOT a no-fault state.
these states currently have no fault CO, FL, HI, KS, KY, MA, MI, MN, NJ, NY, ND, PA, and UT for instance if a person form michigan gets into accident in ohio no fault doesnt count.. it only counts if it happens in the state in which the accident occurs.. in the state of ohio if exchange of info is made its not considered hit/skip unless info is bogus... hopefully you wrote down registration info and always copy down info from other drivers license.. dont let the person write it down for you..
