Who is responsible for damages if the accident was caused by icy road conditions?

by Joi
(Seattle )

I was driving downhill and my car slid on ice and got stuck in the middle turn lane. Another car coming down the hill slid on ice and hit my car causing damages to my bumper and leaving minor scratches to my car. There are no injuries and no police report because law enforcement was unable to respond due to high volume of accidents related to severe inclement weather.

The other driver refuses to give me her WA driver’s license number. After follow up the other driver reported her insurance agent stated that the accident is considered a "no fault" accident and that each driver (or their insurance) is responsible for cost of repair to their respective cars.

Am I responsible for repairing cost to my car or is the person who hit me responsible?


Answer:


Hello Joi ,

This is incorrect. There is no such a thing as a “no fault” accident. No fault is for comprehensive claims, and what you describe is a collision. Even if the weather was severe, the other driver hit you. Their duty is to be extra cautious when driving on bad weather conditions. The accident is evidence that they did not do that.

Contact your own insurance company and see if they will help you collect against them.


As always, it is very important that you talk with a local attorney!
Good Luck,
Auto Insurance Claim Advice