Felon Causes Two Crashes in Stolen Car in Spokane County

According to a report from KHQ-TV NBC, a man wanted on felony charges was involved in a serious two-vehicle collision on S. Dishman Mica Road. A representative for the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office told reporters that the man was driving recklessly in a stolen truck at the time of the crash. In this article, our Spokane auto accident attorneys discuss the crash and explain what you should do if you are injured by a driver in a stolen vehicle.

Stolen Vehicle Accident Injuries Three, Closes S. Dishman Mica Road

KHQ-TV NBC reports that Jason D. McWhirk, a 31-year-old Washington man, is a wanted convicted felon. Mr. McWhirk was operating a stolen truck on S. Dishman Mica Road when he collided with another vehicle. Notably, he had a juvenile passenger with him in the vehicle. Based on a preliminary investigation, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office believes that the following three dangerous behaviors all contributed to the crash:

• Reckless driving;
• Speeding; and
• Driver impairment.

The driver of the stolen truck and his passenger both suffered significant injuries. The driver of the other vehicle suffered minor injuries. Mr. McWhirk is now facing several criminal charges, including vehicular assault. The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that the crash is still under a more comprehensive investigation.

Your Rights If You are Injured in a Crash With a Stolen Vehicle

Washington is a fault-based car accident state. The party whose negligence caused a crash—most often a driver—can be held legally liable for the resulting damages. Unfortunately, a stolen vehicle crash can make things more challenging. In many cases, the individual who stole the car lacks their own insurance coverage. There are five potential sources of compensation in these cases:

1. The insurance policy that covered the stolen car;
2. The auto insurance policy that covers the vehicle thief;
3. Your own uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) coverage;
4. A personal injury lawsuit directly the thief (rarely viable); and
5. A claim against any third party that contributed to the accident.

Stolen vehicle accident injury claims are especially complex. That being said, you should never assume that you are out of options to get your medical bills paid, lost wages covered, and pain and suffering compensated. Gather as much information as you can and get in touch with an experienced Washington auto accident attorney as soon as possible. Your lawyer will help you explore every available avenue for a full and just financial recovery.

Call Our Spokane, WA Car Accident Lawyers Today

At‌ ‌Albrecht‌ ‌Law‌ ‌PLLC, our Washington car accident injury attorneys fight tirelessly to protect the rights of people—not large insurance companies. If you were injured in a crash with an uninsured motorist, we are here to help. Contact our firm now for a no fee, no commitment consultation. With an office location in Spokane, our motor vehicle accident attorneys represent victims throughout Eastern Washington, including in Spokane Valley, Fairwood, Deer Park, and Airway Heights.