Legal Question in Traffic Law in Washington

Re: car accident

Get an estimate of damages and notify the other driver that you are seeking restitution. Obtain as much information regarding the accident and other driver as you can: police reports, witness info; etc.

Prepare to file a civil claim. If there is bodily injury, I stongly encourage you to retain a personal injury attorney (whose fee would likley come from settlement proceeds).

If the party at fault refuses to pay and you are unable to retain an atttorney, you will need to determine whether your claim should be filed in one of three courts: small claims, district/municipal or superior. Plaintiffs without an attorney and whose damages are less than $4000 should file in small claims court. It is an informal venue (like the court shows you see on television).

More info can be found at

http://www.courts.wa.gov/newsinfo/resources/brochure_scc/smallclaims.doc