Seattle Personal Injury Attorney Chris Thayer
Seattle Personal Injury Attorney Chris Thayer
Handling Personal Injury Claims in the Seattle Area and Throughout Washington Since 1995

My name is Chris Thayer and I am a personal injury attorney practicing in downtown Seattle. I handle personal injury, medical malpractice and wrongful death claims throughout the greater Seattle area, including Issaquah, Mercer Island and Kirkland.

I am here to help you.

Call for a free consultation (206) 340-2008

Insights Into Bellevue Car Crashes

Posted Friday, November 10, 2023 by Chris Thayer

According to the story in Downtown Bellevue, an early morning crash left one man dead and a 26-year-old Bellevue resident with non-life-threatening injuries. The passenger was pronounced dead at the scene due to injuries sustained in the accident. The driver was transported immediately to the hospital for treatment.

The crash occurred on 108th Avenue Northeast near the interchange with 520.

Bellevue police expressed strong suspicion that alcohol was significantly involved in this tragic accident. The investigation is ongoing.

In Washington, the term you’ll hear is “vehicular homicide,” which means causing the death of another person while driving under the influence. It is considered a class A felony, and a conviction carries up to life in prison and a maximum $50,000 fine.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a car crash, talking with an experienced Personal Injury Lawyer can help provide peace of mind.

*Fault-Based Car Accident Laws in Washington*Several states in the United States have what is known as a no-fault car insurance system. Under this system, after an accident, a driver must make an injury claim with their car insurance. Under these rules, the injury claim must be made even if they did not cause the crash.

However, Washington has adopted a fault-based system. This means that if you are injured, or your property is damaged in an auto accident, you do not need to first file a claim against your auto insurance policy. Instead, you are free to bring an insurance claim or file a lawsuit against whoever is legally at fault.

*Auto Insurance Requirements in Washington *In Washington, any person who operates a motor vehicle must meet specific guidelines to meet the financial responsibility requirement, Wash. Rev. Code 46.30.20 (1) (a) (2023)).The guidelines of the state’s minimum liability coverage limits include $25,000 for bodily injury to, or the death of, a person, $50,000 for bodily injury or deaths per accident, and $10,000 for property damage per accident. (Wash. Rev. Code § 46.29.490 (2023)).

*Washington Car Accident Statute of Limitations*A statute of limitations is a law that defines a strict deadline on when you have the right to file a lawsuit. This varies from state to state as well as between different types of lawsuits. For example, an auto accident statute of limitations might be different from a medical malpractice case.

In Washington, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of an accident to file a legal suit. If you have been involved in a car collision, the clock starts ticking on the date of the accident.

If you miss the statute of limitations and attempt to file your car accident lawsuit after the filing deadline, you are out of luck. The court will dismiss your case. When the statute of limitations has passed, you lose your right to sue.

*When to Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer in Bellevue*If you are unsure about whether to file a lawsuit or about the statute of limitations in your case, it could be useful to contact an experienced Personal Injury Lawyer in Bellevue.