Car accident in WA?

Question

I had a Car accident on october, the case is i'm at lelf line, but want to cut to right line, then check my back side after that i start to turned out a bit to right line, suddenly one car accelerater and hit my car right side, but i can sure he's speeding, and after he hit my car he gone and came back in 10mins, he said is my fault, after the accident i report to the police,but today he ask me to pay$6000 for fixed his car, i want to know is who's fault, because after accident he gone and came back again in 10mins, i dont know what he did about the 10mins, what should i do and i don't have insurance

After the accident i report to police already

Answer 1

The biggest problem is this "i don't have insurance". Operating a vehicle here in Washington without insurance is a misdemeanor.

Since you did not mention a police report, it sounds like one was not filed either. You both are required to complete an accident report within 15 days when the damage exceeds $500.

The police, the insurance companies and sometimes the courts assign fault.

You can either:
1. Pay him
2. Wait for him to sue you
3. Sue him for the damages to your car.

I would discuss with a lawyer as you may be looking at some trouble.

Answer 2

If you called the police, there should be a police report. You need to go to that police department and get the police report, which should decide who was at fault at the time. This is an important piece of evidence in a civil case.

It is not very relevant that he left for 10 minutes. Are you saying he left and get his car banged up somewhere else? However, it is relevant that he left at all. He should not have left the scene, period. Did you tell the police that?

Based on what you wrote, if you did not check the other lane when you switch, you are at fault. He has the right of way in the slow lane. Speed matters if he rear-ended you, then he will likely lose. But again, what the police determined is far more authoritative than what I wrote.

Finally, you said you don't have insurance. Do you mean you do not CURRENTLY have insurance or you did not have insurance at the time of the accident? If you do not have insurance at the time, shame on you. If you just canceled your insurance, then your insurance company should have taken care of the bill after you pay your deductible.

Answer 3

Could he have done something that would have made a difference to the case in those 10 minutes? I'm guessing he went to get his driver's license which he didnt' have with him. But he left the scene of an accident which he's not supposed to do (were the police there? if not you'll have a hard time proving he left).
If you changed lanes you might be responsible, but he was probably speeding and weaving in and out of traffic and really caused the accident.
Does he have insurance? If he doesn't he can't really make you pay except for taking you to small claims court. I bet they couldn't prove who's fault it was in court. It sounds like shared responsibility to me. How far were you in the lane? Also depends on where the damage was. Do you have photos of both car damage? Good luck.

Answer 4

From the point of impact it sounds as though he hit you so he would be at fault. It is a problem you don't have insurance...you might get a fine and possible license suspension for that but the other driver is responsible for your vehicle repair.