Can I sue for a car accident in Washington?

Which law covers a car accident claim in Washington?

governing statute

RCW 4.16.080(2)

source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.

Is Washington a no-fault state?

who pays first

Washington is an at-fault state, so there is no injury threshold to clear before you can sue: the claim is against the driver who caused the crash and their liability insurer, and the medical bills, the lost earnings and the pain and suffering all come from there. Liability cover is compulsory for every driver here. (RCW 46.30.020)

source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.

Across the country. 38 of the 51 states written up answer this the same way as Washington. Compare every state →

What happens if you were partly at fault for the crash in Washington?

your share of the fault

Your share of the blame costs you that share and never the claim itself. Forty percent at fault means you collect sixty percent of the damages, and a driver mostly to blame still recovers what is left. (RCW 4.22.005)

source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.

Across the country. 11 of the 51 states written up answer this the same way as Washington. Compare every state →

How long do you have to sue after a car accident in Washington?

limit

3 years

source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.

Across the country. 18 of the 51 states written up answer this the same way as Washington. The shortest is 1 year, as in Tennessee; the longest is 6 years, as in Maine. Compare every state →

Which court hears a case like this in Washington?

which court

District Court, small claims department

source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.

How much can you sue for in Washington small claims court?

small claims limit

$10,000

source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.

exceptions: $5,000 where the person bringing the claim is not a natural person.

source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.