EnglishEspañol
Washington flag

Washington

Washington Car Accident Laws: Fault, Insurance, and Your Claim

Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited August 18, 2026). · Reviewed by the RecordingLaw editorial team. · Law checked current as of August 18, 2026. · 7 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content

Washington Car Accident Laws: Fault, Insurance, and Your Claim

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Washington a no-fault state?

No. Washington is not a no-fault state. It is a traditional at-fault (tort) state. The at-fault driver's liability insurer pays the other party's medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Washington is not among the twelve true no-fault states and has no serious-injury threshold requirement.

Is Washington an at-fault state?

Yes. Washington is an at-fault state. Injured parties file a claim against the driver who caused the crash and may sue that driver directly for full compensatory damages, including pain and suffering, without first meeting any no-fault threshold.

What is the statute of limitations for a car accident in Washington?

Washington gives you 3 years from the date of the accident to file a personal-injury or property-damage lawsuit (RCW 4.16.080(2)). Wrongful-death claims also carry a 3-year limit. Missing the deadline typically ends your right to sue. Claims against government entities may have shorter pre-suit notice requirements.

Can I still recover if I was partly at fault in Washington?

Yes. Washington follows pure comparative negligence under RCW 4.22.005. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you are never completely barred from recovering, even if you were mostly at fault. For example, if you were 60% at fault for a $100,000 loss, you could still recover $40,000.

What are the minimum insurance requirements in Washington?

Washington requires drivers to carry at least 25/50/10 liability coverage: $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $10,000 for property damage (RCW 46.29.090). Insurers must also offer UM/UIM and PIP coverage, though both can be rejected in writing.

How much is my Washington car accident claim worth?

Claim value depends on the severity of your injuries, your share of fault, your medical costs, lost income, and the at-fault driver's insurance limits. Under pure comparative negligence your award is reduced by your fault percentage. Use our Washington car accident settlement calculator for an estimate, and consult an attorney for advice on your specific situation.

Does Washington require PIP coverage?

No. PIP is not mandatory in Washington, but every insurer must offer it. If you purchase PIP, the minimum coverage under RCW 48.22.095 is $10,000 for medical expenses. PIP pays from your own policy regardless of who caused the crash and does not limit your right to sue the at-fault driver.

Injured in Washington? Get a free case review from a personal-injury attorney

If someone else's negligence caused your injury, you may be owed compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Get a free, no-obligation review from a Washington personal-injury attorney. Most work on contingency, so there is no upfront cost.

Updates

Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources; governing law re-checked for recent changes

Re-cited Washington's general duty to report a crash to law enforcement to RCW 46.52.030; RCW 46.52.010 actually governs collisions with an unattended vehicle or fixed roadside property, not the general reporting duty.

Removed an unsupported claim that RCW 48.22.030 requires a bold, prominently placed UM/UIM rejection notice above the signature line; the statute's actual text only requires the rejection to be in writing.

Governing law re-checked for recent changes

Governing law re-checked for recent changes

Reviewed and approved by an editor

Sources and References

  1. RCW 46.29.090 — Minimum liability limits (25/50/10)(app.leg.wa.gov).gov
  2. RCW 46.30.020 — Mandatory liability insurance requirement(app.leg.wa.gov).gov
  3. RCW 4.22.005 — Pure comparative fault(app.leg.wa.gov).gov
  4. RCW 4.16.080 — 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury(app.leg.wa.gov).gov
  5. RCW 48.22.030 — UM/UIM offer and written-rejection requirement(app.leg.wa.gov).gov
  6. RCW 48.22.085, .095, .100 — PIP offer and minimum benefits(app.leg.wa.gov).gov
  7. WAC 284-20-300 — PIP offer/minimums (Insurance Commissioner rules)(apps.leg.wa.gov).gov
Share: