What to Do After a Car Accident That’s Not Your Fault in Washington

Dealing with the aftermath of a car crash is a challenge for any driver, but the challenge is made worse when you know the crash wasn’t your fault. After an accident, you’ll be dealing with injuries and medical costs while also having to navigate the claims process and fight with insurance companies to prove you weren’t at fault. Accidents can happen at any time, and knowing what to do after a car accident that’s not your fault will help you protect your rights before you ever get behind the wheel.

After an accident that is not your fault, seek medical help, report the accident to law enforcement, gather witness information, notify your insurance company, and file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer. Consider legal counsel to ensure full compensation if the insurer disputes liability or offers a low settlement.

In a “fault” state like Washington, if you weren’t responsible for the crash, you likely won’t have to pay for your damages or anyone else’s. In this post, the Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner team will guide you through what to do after a car accident that’s not your fault so that you can improve your chances of receiving compensation.

Steps to Take After a Car Accident That’s Not Your Fault

If you’re not at fault in a car accident, file a claim with the other driver’s insurance for compensation. Alternatively, if covered, file with your own insurance.

There are a few simple steps you can take immediately after a car accident that can help you when you pursue compensation later on. However, if you can’t complete some or all of these steps by yourself, an experienced attorney can help you investigate your accident and collect evidence. 

Not-at-fault crash helper

What Should You Do Next After a Crash That Wasn’t Your Fault?

Even when the other driver caused the crash, your next steps can affect medical proof, fault disputes, insurance coverage, and settlement value.

Get Medical Care Report the Crash Gather Witnesses Notify Insurance File the Claim Talk to a Lawyer

Get medical care, even if symptoms seem minor.

Low-speed crashes can still cause injuries that appear later. Medical treatment also creates a record connecting your injuries to the crash.

• Go to urgent care, the ER, or your doctor if you feel pain, stiffness, dizziness, headaches, or numbness.
• Save discharge papers, imaging, prescriptions, referrals, and follow-up notes.
• Keep a simple symptom journal for pain, sleep issues, mobility limits, and missed work.

Not sure what to do before talking to insurance? A free consultation can help you avoid mistakes before recorded statements or settlement talks.

Ask About My Crash

Protect your claim

Did You Complete the Steps That Protect a Not-at-Fault Claim?

Insurance companies can still question fault, injuries, coverage, and damages. Use this checklist to organize the proof early.

Claim protection progress 0/9

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Sought medical care and followed treatment instructions Reported the crash to law enforcement or confirmed the DOL report requirement Saved the police report, collision report number, or crash exchange information Took photos of vehicles, injuries, road conditions, signals, signs, and final positions Collected witness names, phone numbers, photos, or brief statements Notified your own insurance company about the crash Saved repair estimates, towing receipts, rental costs, wage records, and medical bills Avoided admitting fault, apologizing, guessing, or minimizing injuries Avoided accepting an early settlement before understanding the full damages

Start with medical care, reporting, photos, witness details, and saving every claim document.

Washington fault impact

How Can Shared Fault Affect a Car Accident Settlement?

In Washington, the at-fault driver is responsible for damages, but your compensation can be reduced if the insurance company says you share blame.

This tool is only a simple estimate. It is not legal advice and does not predict your final settlement.

Total estimated damages Your possible fault percentage: 0%

$50,000 Estimated recovery after 0% fault reduction.

Challenge a Fault Dispute

Insurance pressure helper

What Is the Insurance Company Saying?

Even when the crash was not your fault, insurance companies may delay, blame you, request a recorded statement, or make a quick low offer.

They want a recorded statement They say I share fault They made a low offer The other driver has no insurance

Pause before giving a recorded statement.

Recorded statements can be used later to challenge fault, injuries, timing, and damages. Stick to basic facts until your rights and claim strategy are reviewed.

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$5M Head-on collision involving a drunk driver

$1.75M Closed head injury in a rollover accident

$750K Recovery for a man injured in a car accident

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Meet your legal team

Meet Your Washington Car Accident Attorneys

When a crash was not your fault, the right legal team can help prove liability, deal with insurance companies, preserve evidence, and pursue full compensation.

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David Brown

Helps injured people understand claim value, insurance coverage, fault disputes, and the legal steps after a serious crash.

Paula McCandlis

Supports crash victims through evidence collection, claim preparation, insurance negotiations, and legal strategy.

Matt Conner

Works with accident victims facing injury claims, low offers, fault disputes, medical bills, and litigation concerns.

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See What Clients Say About Washington Injury Law

Reviews can help visitors feel more confident before contacting the firm about a not-at-fault car accident claim.

Get Medical Help 

Even low-speed car accidents can cause serious injuries. You may feel fine after a seemingly minor crash, but it could take days or even weeks for the full extent of your injuries to manifest. Be sure to get a medical exam after a car accident, even if you think you’re fine. Seeking medical treatment will also create a record of your injuries. Your attorney can use these records to support your claim.

Contact Law Enforcement 

You’ll need to file an accident report with either law enforcement or the Washington State Patrol (WSP). A report must be filed within four days of the crash. If an officer reports to the scene, they’ll usually file the report, and no further action is required on your part. Contacting law enforcement is the easiest and most efficient method of filing a report. 

If law enforcement doesn’t respond to the scene, both you and the other parties involved in the accident must file a report with the DOL within four days.

Gather Witness Information

Information you should gather from any witnesses present includes:

• Name and any available contact information;
• Pictures of the accident scene and vehicle damage that any witnesses may have taken; and
• Brief statements and recollections from the witnesses present.

Gathering information yourself can help refresh your own recollection of the accident later on. It can also help you correct any factual errors in the police report or the records on file with the DOL if you need to do so later.

What to Do After a Minor Car Accident That’s Not Your Fault

A crash can seem minor at first. Your vehicle may have only a small dent, you may be able to drive away, and no one may appear seriously injured. That does not mean you should simply exchange phone numbers and leave.

If you are wondering what to do after a minor car accident that’s not your fault, take many of the same precautions you would after a more serious collision:

• Exchange names, contact information, driver’s license information, and insurance details with the other driver;
• Photograph the damage to both vehicles, their positions, license plates, and the surrounding scene;
• Get contact information from anyone who witnessed the collision;
• Seek medical attention if you are injured or develop symptoms after leaving the scene; and
• Notify your insurance company about the accident. 

Avoid agreeing at the scene that the accident was “no big deal” or that no one was injured. Some injuries aren’t immediately apparent, and what looks like minor vehicle damage may require more extensive repairs than you expect.

You should also determine whether you must report the collision. In Washington, a driver generally must submit a collision report within four days when the crash results in injury, death, or at least $1,000 in property damage to any one person’s property, and law enforcement does not investigate and file a report.

Documenting even a seemingly minor accident gives you information to rely on if questions about fault, injuries, or insurance coverage arise later.

What Happens After a Car Accident That Is Not Your Fault

Even when a car accident isn’t your fault, you must still take certain steps to report your accident. You might also find it helpful to learn a bit more about car accident liability laws and the insurance claims process so that you can better understand your legal options. 

Research State Laws and Insurance Coverage

The rules for who is responsible for covering the cost of accident losses can vary by state. In “fault” states, like Washington, the driver who caused the crash is required to pay damages to the driver who wasn’t at fault. Typically, it’s the at-fault driver’s car insurance company that covers these costs. However, if you bore any responsibility for the accident at all, your recovery can be reduced proportionately by your share of the fault. This is known as contributory fault.

An experienced Washington car accident lawyer can help you understand how Washington’s personal injury laws apply to your case.

What If the Other Driver Admits Fault at the Scene?

An admission of fault at the scene can be helpful, but it does not necessarily end the question of liability. The other driver’s insurance company can still investigate the accident and reach its own conclusions about what happened.

The insurer may review the police report, photographs, witness statements, vehicle damage, and statements from both drivers. It may also argue that you contributed to the collision even if its insured initially apologized or accepted responsibility.

That matters in Washington because more than one person can share fault for an accident. Under the state’s pure comparative fault rule, your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.

Continue documenting the accident even when the other driver admits fault. Do not assume that an apology or admission at the scene guarantees that the insurance company will accept full responsibility for your claim.

Notify Your Insurance Company

Even if you’re not at fault in a car accident, you’ll want to inform your own insurance company about the crash. There are several reasons to do so, even if the accident was minor or the other driver has admitted fault. Those reasons include the following:

• The driver at fault may not have the money to compensate you for damage to your body or your vehicle;
• Your own coverage may apply while the claim against the at-fault driver is being resolved;and
• If the other motorist has insufficient coverage and you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, your insurer may cover your damages.

If you delay informing your own insurer, you may not be able to seek protection from them later on.   

Should You Talk to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company?

After the accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance company may contact you for information about the collision and your injuries. You can provide basic information, but be cautious about giving a recorded statement or making definitive statements about how you feel before you understand the extent of your injuries.

The insurance adjuster represents the insurance company, not you. What you say about the accident may become part of the insurer’s evaluation of fault, and statements about your injuries can become important if your symptoms later worsen or you require additional treatment.

Be especially careful before accepting a settlement. Resolving an injury claim generally means giving up the right to seek additional compensation for that claim. Before agreeing to a settlement, you should understand your injuries, expected medical needs, lost income, and other losses caused by the accident.

If liability is disputed or you cannot reach an appropriate settlement, you may have the option to file a lawsuit against the person or parties responsible for the crash.

What If the At-Fault Driver Is Uninsured or Underinsured?

Finding out that the driver who caused your accident has no insurance can make an already difficult situation more stressful. The same problem can arise even when the driver has insurance, but their policy limits are insufficient to cover your losses.

Your own auto policy may provide another source of recovery. Uninsured motorist coverage can apply when an at-fault driver has no applicable liability insurance, while underinsured motorist coverage may apply when the responsible driver’s available coverage is insufficient to compensate you for your losses.

Other coverage under your policy may also be relevant. For example, personal injury protection (PIP), if available under your policy, can help pay certain medical expenses and other covered losses regardless of who caused the collision.

Do not assume that an uninsured or underinsured driver means you have no way to recover compensation. Review your policy and identify all available coverage before deciding how to proceed with your claim.

How Does Insurance Work When It’s Not Your Fault?

File a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company after a car accident if you are not at fault. This covers vehicle repairs and injuries because the at-fault driver is legally responsible for damages.

However, your insurer may use a process called subrogation, where they seek reimbursement from the at-fault driver’s insurance for any payouts they made on your behalf. This ensures you’re compensated promptly while your insurer works to recover their costs.

Who to Contact After a Car Accident That’s Not Your Fault

When you work with Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner, we will fight for you to get the compensation you deserve. We have represented hundreds of Seattle car accident victims and know the challenges you face after a crash. We will zealously advocate for you at the negotiating table and in the courtroom. You shouldn’t have to pay for injuries and losses someone else caused. Contact our office today to schedule an initial meeting. We offer free consultations, so you have nothing to lose by meeting with us.

FAQs

What Are the First Steps After a Car Accident That Wasn’t My Fault?

Get medical attention even if you feel okay, call the police so there is an official report, photograph the scene, vehicles, and injuries, exchange insurance information, and get contact details for any witnesses. Then report the crash to your insurer and be careful about giving recorded statements to the other driver’s insurer before you understand your rights.

Should I Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident That Wasn’t My Fault?

If you were injured, the fault is disputed, or the insurer is delaying or lowballing you, a lawyer is worth talking to, and most personal injury attorneys offer a free consultation and work on contingency. For a minor crash with no injuries, you may be able to handle it yourself, but it costs nothing to have your options explained.

Do I Need to File a Claim with My Insurance If Someone Hits Me?

You will usually file the injury and damage claim against the at-fault driver’s insurer, but you should still notify your own insurer, and you may use your own PIP or underinsured motorist coverage depending on your policy and the at-fault driver’s coverage.

Why Am I Getting $0 After a T-bone Crash That Wasn’t My Fault?

There are several common reasons: the insurer is disputing who was at fault, they are alleging you were partly at fault, the at-fault driver is uninsured or has very low limits that were exhausted, or your own medical coverage and their liability coverage are being coordinated. A $0 offer in a clear not-at-fault crash is often a sign to have an attorney review it, because you may be entitled to far more.

Can I File a Claim for a Truck Accident That Wasn’t Fully My Fault?

Yes. Washington uses pure comparative negligence, so you can recover even if you were partly at fault, with your compensation reduced by your percentage of fault. Truck cases often involve multiple responsible parties, such as the driver and the trucking company, which makes early legal help valuable.

What Should I Do If I Was Injured and Need Legal Help to Get Compensation?

Get medical care and keep all records, avoid giving a recorded statement or accepting a quick settlement before you understand your claim’s value, and contact a personal injury attorney for a free consultation. In Washington you generally have three years from the crash to file a lawsuit, so acting sooner protects your evidence and your rights.

What If I Can’t Pay for the Damages in an At-fault Accident?

If you caused a crash and cannot cover the damages, you can be sued personally, and your wages and assets may be exposed, which is exactly the risk liability insurance is meant to cover. If you are struggling after a crash someone else caused, an attorney can help you pursue the responsible party instead.

What If the Other Driver’s Insurance Company Says I Was at Fault?

The other driver’s insurance company does not have the final say on who caused the accident. If it disputes liability or argues that you share responsibility, evidence such as the collision report, photographs, video, witness statements, and vehicle damage can help establish what happened.

Washington’s pure comparative fault rule also means that sharing some responsibility for a crash does not automatically prevent you from recovering compensation. Instead, your recovery can be reduced based on your percentage of fault.

Who Pays My Deductible If the Accident Wasn’t My Fault?

If you use your own collision coverage to repair your vehicle, you may initially have to pay the deductible required by your policy. Your insurance company may then seek reimbursement from the at-fault party or insurer through subrogation.

If your insurer successfully recovers what it paid, you may also receive reimbursement for some or all of your deductible. How that process works depends on the circumstances of the claim and your policy.