A sudden crash near the Renton Transit Center or along I-405 can mess up your daily life fast. One minute you are driving home, and the next you are stuck with high doctor bills, physical pain and costly car repairs. Finding out the driver who hit you has no auto insurance makes a bad day even worse. You are likely wondering if suing the uninsured driver is actually worth it or if you have better ways to get your money back.
Filing a lawsuit against an uninsured driver
You have the legal right to sue an uninsured driver in Washington to get your money back. A judge can then order the driver to pay for your broken car and medical bills through a court judgment. But winning a court case and actually getting paid are two very different things.
People who drive without insurance rarely have a lot of cash or extra savings. Taking someone to court who has no money can cost you high legal fees and leave you with nothing. Checking the driver’s financial situation before you file a lawsuit helps you avoid wasting time and money:
- Looking up property records can show if they own a home or valuable land
- Checking their job status can show if you can take part of their future paychecks
- Searching for bank accounts can reveal if they have cash to pay what they owe
Finding out the driver has no real assets usually means a lawsuit will not bring in any money.
Turning to your own insurance policy
Checking your own auto insurance policy is often the fastest way to get help. Washington state law requires insurance companies to offer Uninsured Motorist (UIM) coverage on your policy.
Filing a UIM claim lets you get money directly from your own insurance company up to your policy limits. Hiring a personal injury lawyer can also help you read tricky policy terms and fight for the payout you deserve.
Getting your money back
Dealing with an uninsured driver means making smart choices to protect your wallet. Going after the driver in court might sound like the right move, but trying to get money from someone with no cash usually leads nowhere. Looking at your own UIM policy first gives you a much safer way to pay for your doctor bills and car repairs.