{"id":377057,"date":"2016-10-17T17:28:21","date_gmt":"2016-10-17T22:28:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/washington-law\/washington-car-accident-compensation-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-02-28T09:21:17","modified_gmt":"2025-02-28T14:21:17","slug":"washington-car-accident-compensation-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/washington-law\/washington-car-accident-compensation-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Washington Car Accident Compensation Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Washington Car Accident Compensation Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Olivia Wathne, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Washington state is full of natural wonders. From the Puget Sound to the Palouse, Washington’s beauty attracts travelers from far and wide. But Washington offers more than serene vistas. Swift winds, hail, snow, and dense fog are all highly likely to greet drivers on Washington’s roadways<\/a>. If your travels in the Evergreen State did not go quite as planned, you will be thankful that Washington car accident compensation laws are generally quite victim-friendly.<\/p>\r\n

If you need help with your car accident case, reach out to a personal injury attorney<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Washington Auto Insurance Requirements<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Washington negligence laws<\/a> say you must prove that another driver was at fault<\/a> for the car accident to get damages for your injuries. As a fault state, Washington requires establishing the at-fault party’s responsibility before any compensation can get awarded.<\/p>\r\n

These insurance requirements<\/a> ensure that both drivers and accident victims have access to necessary funds from their insurance company to cover medical bills, property damage, and other expenses resulting from motor vehicle accidents.<\/p>\r\n

Washington’s At Fault and Pure Comparative Negligence Laws<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Washington negligence laws<\/a> say that you must prove that another driver was at fault<\/a> for the car accident in order to recover damages for your injuries. As a fault state, Washington requires establishing the at-fault party’s responsibility before any compensation can be awarded.<\/p>\r\n

Fortunately for partially at fault drivers, Washington has adopted pure comparative negligence<\/a>. This rule requires the court to attribute percentages of fault to each driver involved in an auto accident and then reduce any damages award accordingly. The key feature of pure comparative negligence is that even a driver 99% at fault for a car accident can recover 1% of that driver’s damage award. For example, if a Washington driver suffered $10,000 in damages, that driver could still recover $100.<\/p>\r\n

If you suffered minimal injuries, be aware that the state legislature requires mandatory arbitration<\/a> of all claims less than $15,000. In select counties, this limit gets increased to $50,000.<\/p>\r\n

Washington State Car Accident Laws<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

For more information on Washington car accident laws, take a look at the table below.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Statute of limitations<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Damages limits<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Other Limits<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n