What Happens if Someone Hits You Without Insurance in Spokane, Washington?

You were stopped at the light on Division Street when it happened. A car slammed into your back bumper hard enough to jolt your neck and push your vehicle into the intersection. When you stepped out, dazed and shaken, the other driver admitted they didn’t have insurance. Now you’re left dealing with injuries, car damage, a pile of medical bills, and no idea how you’re going to pay for any of it.

This situation is more common than most people think. In Spokane and across Washington, thousands of drivers are on the road without the minimum insurance the law requires. And when they cause a crash, the financial fallout almost always hits the person they hit the hardest.

So, what happens if someone hits you without insurance? This blog walks you through what your options are if you’re hit by an uninsured driver, what Washington State personal injury law says, and how you can still seek financial compensation, even when the other driver has nothing to offer.

Insurance Is Required—But That Doesn’t Mean Everyone Has It

Every driver in Washington is required to carry liability insurance. The minimums include $25,000 for injuries to one person, $50,000 per collision for multiple injuries, and $10,000 for property damage. These limits are defined under RCW 46.29.090.

Despite the law, many people still get behind the wheel uninsured. When they cause car accidents in Spokane, the person they hit often faces the real consequences from costly medical bills to time off work.

In these cases, your own insurance claims and coverage may be the only source of relief unless the other driver has assets or income that can be pursued in court.

If you’ve just been hit by someone without insurance, knowing what to do in the moments that follow can make a real difference in your recovery, both physically and financially.

What to Do Immediately After the Crash

First, call 911 and report the accident. Having a police officer document the crash creates a legal record that may support your personal injury claim later. The officer’s report may state whether the other driver admitted fault, had expired insurance, or broke any traffic laws.

Seek medical care right away. Don’t wait. Even minor car accident injuries can worsen, and without documentation, it becomes harder to connect them to the crash. If your case involves a serious injury, timely treatment helps demonstrate the link between the accident and your condition.

Also, notify your insurance company that the driver who hit you was uninsured. This allows you to begin a claim through your uninsured motorist coverage or Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits, if available.

How Uninsured Motorist Coverage Can Protect You

Washington insurance companies must offer uninsured motorist (UM) coverage when you purchase a policy. Unless you rejected it in writing, there’s a good chance you already have it. This type of coverage is designed for situations just like this where the person who caused the crash has no liability coverage.

Under RCW 48.22.030, UM coverage can help injured victims recover compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Funeral expenses in the event of a fatal accident

Your UM policy applies whether the uninsured driver stayed at the scene or left in a hit-and-run. It also applies if you’re a passenger, pedestrian, or bicyclist struck by a vehicle with no coverage.

What If You Don’t Have UM Coverage?

Without UM coverage, your options are limited. You may still use your PIP policy to cover medical treatment and a portion of your lost wages. PIP applies regardless of fault and is required in Washington unless declined in writing.

You can also sue the other driver directly. But if they’re driving uninsured, they may not have income, property, or other assets to satisfy a judgment. This is one of the hardest parts of being hit by someone who broke the law as they may not be in a position to make things right.

Your own health insurance may also step in to cover care, but you may be left with co-pays or deductibles you didn’t expect. Accident victims often find themselves juggling multiple sources just to keep up with expenses.

Who Pays for Your Car Repairs?

If your vehicle is badly damaged or totaled, you’ll need to look at your collision coverage or consider whether you purchased uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD). UMPD is optional in Washington, and many policies don’t include it.

If you don’t have collision coverage or UMPD, the cost of repairing or replacing your car could fall to you, unless you successfully sue the at-fault driver. But as mentioned, many uninsured drivers have no assets to pursue.

Some drivers turn to a personal injury law firm for guidance not only on their injuries, but also on how to recover property losses, rental costs, and towing fees.

When the Injuries Are Severe or Someone Dies

Some crashes result in permanent disabilities, disfigurement, or even death. If you or a loved one suffered life changing injuries, you may have the right to pursue a larger claim for damages.

A wrongful death claim may be filed under RCW 4.20.020 if someone dies due to someone else’s negligence. That claim can seek compensation for funeral costs, lost income, and the emotional impact on surviving family members.

When injuries are severe, your attorney may work with medical professionals, economists, and life care planners to project future losses. These cases often take longer to resolve but tend to result in higher settlements or verdicts.

How a Spokane Injury Law Firm Builds Your Case

At Albrecht Law, every personal injury case starts with a thorough investigation. That includes reviewing crash reports, interviewing witnesses, pulling medical records, and analyzing your insurance coverage.

We look at:

• What evidence can prove negligence
• How your injuries have affected your work and daily life
• What long-term care or treatment you may need
• Whether the other driver engaged in illegal behavior, such as texting or running a red light

This legal strategy helps us present a full picture to the insurance company or a jury, if needed. You’re not just a claim number. You’re a person whose life was disrupted by a crash that should have been prevented.

The Clock Is Ticking: Washington’s Deadlines

Washington law gives you three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. That’s defined in RCW 4.16.080. If the case involves wrongful death, the timeline is two years from the date of death.

These deadlines apply even if you’re still receiving medical treatment or waiting for a response from the insurance company. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to gather strong evidence.

What Can You Recover After the Crash?

Every case is different, but injured victims may be eligible to recover compensation for:

• Emergency care, surgery, and follow-up treatment
• Lost wages and reduced earning ability
• Emotional distress and pain
• Vehicle repair or replacement
• Out-of-pocket costs for medications, home care, and mileage
• Future treatment for serious injury

Your claim may also include financial compensation for how the accident has changed your day-to-day life—whether that means struggling with chronic pain, missing out on family events, or facing a long road of recovery.

Your Spokane injury lawyer will calculate a fair amount based on your unique circumstances, not just the medical bills you’ve already received.

What If the Insurance Company Lowballs You?

It’s common for insurance adjusters to offer far less than your case is worth. They may say your injuries weren’t serious, argue you had pre-existing conditions, or claim you waited too long to seek care.

Some may even try to place partial blame on you to reduce the payout. Washington follows a pure comparative fault rule, so if you’re 20% at fault, your award will be reduced by that amount. But insurance companies know most people don’t have the time or resources to push back.

That’s where a skilled attorney comes in. Your attorney can challenge those claims, present evidence, and push for a fair settlement.

How to Strengthen Your Case

You can take steps right now to make your case stronger:

• Request a copy of the police report and photograph any visible damage or injuries
• Keep detailed records of every medical visit, cost, and recommendation
• Document how your injuries have affected work, home life, and daily activities
• Don’t post about the crash or your condition on social media
• Reach out to a lawyer for auto accident who can take over communications and protect your rights

These actions show that you’re serious about your recovery and ready to pursue the full compensation your case may support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What if the uninsured driver gave me false information at the scene?

A: If the other driver gave you a fake name, address, or insurance card, you can still move forward with a claim. The police report becomes even more important in this case. Provide your insurer and your attorney with any photos, license plate numbers, and witness contact information you gathered. If the driver flees the scene or can’t be located, your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may apply, similar to a hit-and-run.

Q: Can I still file a claim if the crash happened while I was riding with someone else?

A: Yes. If you were a passenger in a vehicle and the at-fault driver was uninsured, you may be covered under your own auto policy (if you have one), the driver’s policy (if it includes UM), or your health insurance. A personal injury lawyer can help review what options are available based on the policies in play.

Q: Do I have to tell my insurance company the other driver was uninsured?

A: Yes. You need to report all relevant facts including the lack of coverage to start your uninsured motorist claim or PIP claim. Withholding that information may delay or jeopardize your ability to receive compensation. It’s better to be upfront and let your insurer process the claim accordingly.

Q: Will filing a UM claim raise my insurance rates?

A: Filing a UM claim shouldn’t raise your premium if you weren’t at fault. However, some insurers may increase rates after any claim is filed, regardless of who caused the crash. It’s a good idea to ask your insurer directly or work with an attorney who can help you weigh the risks before filing.

Q: What if I was walking or biking when the uninsured driver hit me?

A: Your uninsured motorist coverage still applies if you were struck as a pedestrian or cyclist, as long as the at-fault driver was operating a vehicle. If you don’t have an auto policy, you may still be able to recover compensation through the driver’s personal assets—or, in some cases, through a household member’s insurance if you live with them and they carry UM coverage.

Q: Can I get a rental car while my claim is pending?

A: Possibly. If you have rental reimbursement coverage on your own policy, that may pay for a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired. If you don’t have that coverage, and the at-fault driver is uninsured, your insurance company may not pay for a rental unless it’s part of your settlement.

Q: How long does a UM claim usually take to resolve?

A: The timeline varies. A straightforward claim with clear injuries and good documentation may resolve within a few months. But if there are disputes about fault, coverage limits, or medical treatment, it could take longer. A Spokane personal injury attorney can push the process forward and keep the insurance company accountable for delays.

Work with a Spokane Injury Law Firm That Puts Strategy Before Volume

At Albrecht Law, we don’t take every case. We focus on the ones that require depth, preparation, and long-term planning. If you’re searching for “car accident injury lawyers near me” because an uninsured driver turned your life upside down, we’re ready to step in and help you pursue the compensation your case may support.

Our legal team has represented clients before the Washington State Supreme Court, and founding attorney Matt Albrecht literally wrote the book on insurance law in this state. That level of knowledge and courtroom readiness is what we bring to every serious injury case we take.

When you work with us, you’re not just another claim. We’ll take the time to understand what happened, examine every legal angle, and build a strategy tailored to your injuries, your losses, and your future. If we take your case, we don’t get paid unless we recover compensation for you.

Call (509) 495-1246(509) 495-1246 or fill out our confidential online form to schedule your free case evaluation today.

Albrecht Law PLLC — Our Clients Are More Than Just Cases

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The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.

Albrecht Law PLLC
5105 E 3rd Ave Ste 101
Spokane Valley, WA 99212
(509) 495-1246(509) 495-1246
https://albrechtlawfirm.com/