Legal Question in Personal Injury in Washington

Punitive Damages: Automobile Accidents
My car was recently damaged by a piece of steel that wasn't proper;y secured and flew off the payload of a truck in front of me on the highway. The piece of steel nearly went through my windshield; if it had, it would have killed me. Luckily, I was not injured. The truck owner's insurance company is paying for damage to my car and the costs of a rental vehicle until my car is repaired.

My question: can I sue for punitive damages? I want to send a message to irresponsible truck owners and drivers that creat such needlessly dangerous situations like this.

Asked on 5/09/99, 9:15 pm

Gary Preble Preble Law Firm, P.S.

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Re: Punitive Damages: Automobile Accidents

Generally no punitive damages in WA.

Try having the driver cited for violating RCW 46.61.655 at http://www.leg.wa.gov/pub/rcw/title_46/chapter_061/rcw_46_61_655.txt.

It's kind of a good news-bad news situation. Great news for you. But your wife sure missed out on a big money lawsuit.

Gary Preble

Olympia

360-943-6960

Answered on 5/17/99, 9:17 pm

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