Legal Question in Personal Injury in Washington

Re: uninsured driver

Hi - You are going about this all wrong.

You need to contact your OWN insurance company. This matter will be covered by your own insurance covering uninsured drivers. Then your insurance company will go after the uninsured driver.

Since you are not an attorney, you can go directly to the uninsured driver w/o going to the attorney (who is probably not returning phone calls because he or she does not actually represent the driver - you were just told a tale). So, if God forbid you didn't pay for uninsured coverage on your own vehicle, you can at least go after the driver in Small Claims Court (up to $4K is covered, plus costs).

Meanwhile, take at least one dozen photographs of your vehicle, and get at least three WRITTEN estimates of the cost of the repair. You will need both of these eventually.

If you get estimates and they are a relatively low amount, consider paying for the repairs yourself rather than going to your own insurance company. It's possible that your rates will go up if and when you submit a claim to them. Check with your AGENT before getting the repairs done.

That should cover most everything.

Good Luck!

Merry Kogut

PS If you are driving without insurance you're an idiot.