Coverages related to bodily injury – third party liability coverage
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 MoreWhat is an “Independent Medical Examination” (IME)?
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 MoreCoverages related to bodily injury – PIP
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
Negligent transmission of STIs in Washington State
In the 2020 Washington legislative session, lawmakers repealed prohibitions on sexual intercourse without prior disclosure of a sexually transmitted disease other than HIV. Although this removed a specific criminal penalty for infected persons who risk transmitting a disease without disclosure, that act still constitutes battery. Even when there is no criminal penalty for transmission of an...Read More
Coverages related to property damage
Collision coverage is an optional first party coverage that you can purchase on your own policy. It will pay for damage to your vehicle as a result of a collision. Benefits under this coverage are payable regardless of fault. Even if you just ran into a telephone pole, you can still make collision claim. There is usually a deductible that you must pay. If another driver was at fault and you...Read More
