Jay Suitter Hurt in Salkum Crash on U.S. Highway 12

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Jay Suitter Injured in Salkum Accident on U.S. Highway 12

Jay R. Suitter, 69, from Ethel, suffered significant injuries in a collision on U.S. Highway 12 near Salkum on Sunday afternoon. The Washington State Patrol (WSP) reported the incident occurred at approximately 10:45 a.m. on May 11.

Suitter was driving a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria eastbound when he slowed down to make a left turn. At that moment, his vehicle was struck from behind by a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria driven by Delila M. Westmoreland, 35, of Mossyrock.

Due to the severity of his injuries, Suitter was airlifted to Tacoma General Hospital for medical treatment. The WSP has indicated that following too closely may have contributed to the crash. The investigation into the accident is still ongoing.

In situations like these, victims often seek legal assistance to navigate the complexities of accident claims. The Law Offices of Burg & Brock offer specialized services for those involved in vehicle accidents, including car, truck, and motorcycle accidents. Their experienced attorneys can provide guidance and representation to ensure victims receive the compensation they deserve.

What California law says after a car accident

Reporting requirements after a California collision

California imposes reporting duties on drivers that are separate from any insurance claim.

A report must be filed with the DMV on form SR-1 within ten days of a collision that caused any injury, any death, or more than one thousand dollars in property damage to any one person. This duty applies regardless of fault, applies even when police responded and wrote their own report, and is not satisfied by notifying an insurance company. With current repair costs, most collisions that involve a body shop meet the damage threshold.

A separate rule covers collisions causing injury or death. The driver must make a written report to the California Highway Patrol, or to the city police department where the collision happened in a city, within twenty four hours. The statute states this duty for every injury or fatal collision. In practice, where officers responded and completed a report at the scene, that report generally satisfies the agency’s need, but a driver who assumes this without confirming it is relying on practice rather than on the text of the law.

Missing the DMV deadline can lead to suspension of driving privileges, an outcome unrelated to who caused the collision.

California filing deadlines for injury and death claims

In California, a lawsuit for personal injury caused by another person’s negligence generally must be filed within two years of the injury, under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. A claim for a death caused by another’s wrongful act or neglect runs under the same two-year period.

Shorter deadlines apply in specific situations. If a city, county or state agency may be responsible, a written claim must normally be presented to that public entity within six months. Claims involving minors, injuries that are not discovered right away, and certain defendants can follow different timelines.

Which deadline applies depends on the facts of each situation, and the standard two-year period does not govern every claim.

Your Rights After a Car Accident in California

A collision like this one raises questions about fault, insurance and medical costs, usually before anyone has had time to think about them. These guides explain how California handles them.