Car Accidents Out of State
Posted Friday, June 26, 2020 by Chris Thayer
If you were involved in a car accident out of state, you may feel additional stress and pressure regarding what your legal rights are and how you should proceed. Consider the following if you suffered injuries or property damage in a car accident in another state.
*Follow the Same Steps*There are certain steps you should follow after every car accident that includes the following:
- Call 911
- Seek medical attention
- Contact your insurance company
- Obtain the other driver’s insurance card and contact information
- Obtain the contact information for any witnesses
- Take pictures of the scene of the accident if possible
- Keep a full record of all medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and a record of your pain and suffering
*Understand Car Insurance *Your car insurance will likely provide you with coverage no matter where you have an accident in the United States. Additionally, most insurance companies will cover you up to the required amount of insurance of the state you had the accident in, whether or not your coverage actually meets that standard. The liability limits will meet the standard of the state in which you had the accident.
*No-Fault State Insurance Systems*No-fault insurance states do exist throughout the United States, and these specific states require each driver to first use his or her own insurance to pay for injuries and damages related to the car accident. This requirement exists whether or not they were at fault for the car accident. The states that follow no-fault insurance systems are Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Utah. States that do not have a no-fault insurance system, such as the state of Washington, will allow the injured victim of the accident to directly sue the other driver’s insurance.
Whatever state you have an accident in, make sure to always contact your insurance company so that they have a record of your accident. Additionally, as the majority of states are not no-fault insurance states, you will need to alert your insurance company so that they can begin the process of creating a claim and eventually offering you a settlement for your injuries and losses that relate to the car accident including reimbursement for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
*Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney *Being involved in a car accident in any state can be an overwhelming experience. When you are far from home and in an accident, you may feel anxious as to whether or not you have followed all the correct steps to ensure that your legal rights are protected. Contact the Pivotal Law Group at 206-340-2008 and visit with one of our experienced car accident attorneys. We proudly serve the Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Burien, Mercer Island, and Issaquah areas.