Washington car accident laws: what every injured driver should know
Before you accept an insurance offer in Washington, know the deadline you are working against, how fault will be split, and what real Washington crashes have resolved for.
How fault works in Washington
Washington uses pure comparative fault: your recovery is reduced by your share of the blame, but you are never barred from recovering.
Source: Rev. Code Wash. § 4.22.005
Insurance, and why the other driver’s limit matters
Washington requires every driver to carry at least $25,000 per person in injury coverage. When an injury costs more than the at-fault driver’s policy, your own coverage becomes the next source of recovery. Insurers must offer underinsured motorist coverage; it can only be rejected in writing.
Source: Rev. Code Wash. § 48.22.030
Three years, not two
Washington gives injured people three years to file, a year longer than California, Nevada, Arizona or Oregon. It is still a hard deadline, and evidence does not wait for it.
Source: Rev. Code Wash. § 4.16.080(2)
Pure comparative fault
Washington never bars recovery because of your share of fault. A driver who was 70% at fault can still recover 30% of their damages from the other driver.
Source: Rev. Code Wash. § 4.22.005
Real Washington car accident verdicts and settlements
These are documented results from public court records — not estimates. They show the range cases like these have resolved for.
| Case | Type | Result |
|---|---|---|
Liu v. State Farm Ins. Co 2021 · Car accident | Car accident | $1,500,000 verdict |
Gomez v. Clark 2022 · Car accident | Car accident | $400,000 verdict |
Laughner v. Spokane Authority Spokane County, 2015 · Rear-end collision | Rear-end collision | $1,500,000 settlement |
Mershon v. Hurley 2024 · Intersection crash | Intersection crash | $375,000 verdict |
Brown v. Aguilar King County, 2021 · Car accident | Car accident | $1,484,417 verdict |
Kundu v. Snohomish County Snohomish County, 2017 · Car accident | Car accident | $375,000 settlement |
Pehl v. Burns Skagit County, 2024 · Rear-end collision | Rear-end collision | $1,301,000 verdict |
Kloch v. Walker 2022 · Car accident | Car accident | $350,000 verdict |
Real cases, shown as recorded in public court records. Verdicts are jury awards; settlements are agreed payments. They are other people’s cases and not predictions of what your case is worth. Every case is different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Washington guides
Car accidents by city in Washington
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Washington?
3 years from the crash for injuries (Rev. Code Wash. § 4.16.080(2)). A standard tort claim form must be filed with the government entity, and a lawsuit cannot be started until 60 days after it is presented.
Is Washington a no-fault state?
No. Washington is an at-fault state: the driver who caused the crash, through their liability insurer, pays for the injuries they caused. Insurers must offer personal injury protection with at least $10,000 in medical benefits; it can only be rejected in writing.
What if I was partly at fault?
Washington uses pure comparative fault: your recovery is reduced by your share of the blame, but you are never barred from recovering.
What is the minimum car insurance in Washington?
$25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for injuries, and $10,000 for property damage (Rev. Code Wash. § 46.29.090).
Do I have to report the accident?
If no officer investigated, a crash causing injury, death, or $1,000 or more in damage must be reported by the driver within four days. (Rev. Code Wash. § 46.52.030)
Hurt in a Washington crash?
See what Washington cases like yours resolved for before you talk to an adjuster. Free, about 60 seconds, and a licensed Washington attorney can review it at no cost.
This page is general information about Washington law, reviewed September 2026. It is not legal advice, laws change, and the right answer for your claim depends on its facts. CaseChecker.ai is not a law firm; it connects people with independent attorneys licensed in their state.