Car Insurance & Reckless Driving - Hit Head On

00:00 Asleep at the Wheel
Have you ever been sleepy while driving? Found yourself nodding off while behind the wheel? It is a scary feeling.

Benton County Sheriff's Office reported on a driver who fell asleep at the wheel Thursday night and caused a two-car crash that injured himself and 3 other people near West Richland.

According to the Washington State Patrol, the at-fault driver is a 22-year-old Kennewick resident who was driving north on SR-225 between Benton City and Hiway 240 when he dozed off and veered across the center line, colliding with an SUV coming from the opposite direction.

The impact totaled both vehicles and caused non-life-threatening injuries to all the occupants. Benton County Sheriff's Deputies were first to arrive on the scene and provided initial medical assistance until ambulances arrived to take the victims to nearby hospitals.

The State Patrol reported that the at-fault driver would face charges for 2nd-degree negligent driving and driving without insurance. Luckily, it sounds like no one was seriously hurt. It could have been much worse.

More than once I have pulled into a rest stop and taken an hour or two nap while traveling late at night. Much better to be safe than sorry.

Sadly the at-fault driver is reported as not having insurance. How will the SUV owner get compensated? and how will the medical bills get paid?

01:08 Coverage for the SUV

Hopefully, the SUV owner has either collision coverage or uninsured motorist coverage on the rig. If he has uninsured motorist, then the SUV will be repaired by his insurance company, and he should have just a $100 deductible. If he doesn't have uninsured motorist but has collision coverage, then his insurance company will also fix the rig, but the SUV owner probably has a $500 deductible.

If he doesn't have either, his only recourse is to go after the at-fault driver alone. Most lawyers won't take these types of cases because even if they win, how do you collect money from a 22-year-old who probably has no assets?

02:32 Coverage for the Medical Bills

Obviously, the at-fault driver won't have any way to pay the medical bills for the three victims in the SUV. But, if the SUV owner has Personal Injury Protection, called PIP, their insurance will cover at least $10,000 for medical bills and lost wages.

If anyone in the SUV has their own auto insurance with PIP, they, too, can utilize their own PIP coverage towards medical expenses and lost wages.

FYI, $10,000 is the minimum level of PIP. You can purchase up to $35,000. Obviously, everyone could also use their health insurance coverage as well.

03:14 Coverage for the At-Fault Driver

Well, he is pretty much out of luck. Without insurance, there is no way for him to get compensated for his totaled vehicle. If he has personal health insurance, he will at least get help with his medical bills.

Since he caused an accident and didn't have insurance, the Department of Licensing will suspend his license and require him to agree to a restitution plan to compensate the injured parties.

To unsuspend his license, he will be required to have an SR22 filed by his insurance company with the DOL. Of course, the insurance won't be cheap since he just added an accident and reckless driving ticket to his record.

04:21 Insurance Lessons Learned

Always carry insurance. They are called accidents and not on-purposes for a reason.

Uninsured Motorist is one of the most important coverages you can purchase. Sure, the state makes you purchase liability to cover the guy you may hit, but why would you not protect yourself?

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