Washington state requires you to carry proof of liability insurance when driving any vehicle. However, some drivers may not have insurance that covers all the damage and injuries they cause. Others drive illegally without auto insurance.
What to do if you're in an accident
If there are injuries
Immediately call 911 for help.
Never leave the scene of the accident
Don't leave the scene without calling the police, even if you don't see any injuries and the accident seems minor.
Get as much information as possible
If you have a cell phone with a camera, take pictures of the vehicle's damage. Document as much information as possible about the accident, the other vehicle and the other driver. Gather information and photos without preventing the police and emergency responders from doing their jobs.
If you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
If you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, you can file a claim with your company. Your collision and personal injury protection (PIP) coverage covers damage to your car and certain medical bills.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may help pay for damage and injury from a hit-and-run accident or a phantom vehicle. You might even have a lower deductible in these cases. A phantom vehicle causes injury or damage without touching your vehicle. An example of this is a car swerving into your lane and causing you to crash to avoid it. You must report a phantom vehicle accident to the police within 72 hours if you're making an auto insurance claim.
If you don't have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
If you don't have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, you'll need to rely on other coverage you might have. Collision coverage, for example, may pay for your damaged car. You can use personal injury protection for injuries related to the accident.
If you don't have any of these coverages, you'll need to pay for repairs, medical bills (unless you have health insurance), and maybe a rental car. Then you can try to get the person who caused the accident to pay you back for those costs.