There are two main methods of resolving legal claims: settlement and litigation. Settlement involves all parties coming to a mutually acceptable agreement. Settlement is a voluntary process that requires everyone’s participation and agreement. Litigation does not require participation or agreement. Instead each party has an opportunity to present their side of the story through witnesses and...Read More
If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, the law still requires that you take reasonable steps to mitigate your damages. This requires you to take reasonable steps to minimize your damages. The key to understanding this is that you must act reasonably. Here are some examples:
If you take reasonable steps to minimize your losses, the odds that you will be satisfied...Read More
If the other driver was uninsured or had less liability insurance than your total damages, then you can make a first party claim for Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM) under your own policy. All policies in Washington have UIM coverage unless your insurance company obtained a written, signed waiver of coverage. UIM coverage extends to named insureds on the policy, minors residing in the...Read More
If the other driver was at fault for causing the collision, you have a claim against the other driver for your damages. If that driver was insured, then his insurance company will defend him and try to negotiate a settlement of the case.
Unlike PIP coverage that is limited to four specific categories, liability coverage pays for all amounts of damages that are recoverable under the law...Read More
PIP policies have provisions that allow insurance companies to ask for an “independent medical examination” or IME. An IME is usually triggered because (1) you have been treating for a certain length of time, (2) your treatment has surpassed a set dollar amount, (3) your PIP carrier has seen reference to a pre-existing medical conditions or a post-collision injury, (4) you have discontinuity...Read More
Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage is a first-party coverage. Every policy in Washington has PIP unless the insurance company obtained a written, signed waiver of coverage. PIP covers (1) persons named in the policy, (2) minor family members of the household, (3) passengers in an insured vehicle, and (4) pedestrians that are struck by an insured vehicle. PIP benefits are payable...Read More
