Hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver in Washington
When the driver who hit you has no insurance, or too little, the claim usually moves to your own policy’s uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. Insurers must offer underinsured motorist coverage; it can only be rejected in writing.
How UM/UIM coverage works
Uninsured motorist coverage pays what the at-fault driver’s insurance would have paid if they had carried it. Underinsured coverage fills the gap when their policy is too small for your injuries.
It is a claim against your own insurer, but that does not make the insurer your advocate. It evaluates the claim the way any insurer evaluates a claim it has to pay.
Source: Rev. Code Wash. § 48.22.030
Hit-and-run crashes
A driver who flees is usually treated as uninsured. Report the crash to police promptly — insurers commonly require a timely police report before paying an uninsured-motorist claim for a hit-and-run — and gather any video from nearby businesses before it is overwritten.
Deadlines still apply
A UM/UIM claim runs on the terms of your policy, which can set their own notice requirements. The 3-year statute of limitations for the underlying injury claim (Rev. Code Wash. § 4.16.080(2)) still matters to how it is resolved.
Real Washington results
Documented Washington verdicts and settlements from public court records.
| 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 |
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.
Frequently asked questions
Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Washington?
Insurers must offer underinsured motorist coverage; it can only be rejected in writing.
Will my premiums go up if I use my UM coverage?
Many states restrict raising premiums for a claim where you were not at fault, but policies and insurer practices vary. Ask your insurer in writing.
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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.