Seattle Drunk Driving Accident Victim Attorneys
Alcohol is a contributing factor in a staggering number of car accidents in Washington and nationwide. Victims of drunk drivers may pursue financial compensation for their injuries by filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. Anyone injured by a drunk driver in the state of Washington would be well-advised to seek legal guidance from a skilled Seattle personal injury attorney at Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S., who has a successful track record of financially pursuing negligent drivers.
Washington DUI Law
Under Washington Revised Statute 46.61.502: "A person is guilty of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug if the person drives a vehicle and has within two hours after driving, an alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher as shown by analysis of the person's breath or blood." It is also illegal under Washington law to drive while under the influence of recreational or prescription drugs.
Washington Drunk Driving Accident Statistics
According to the 2009 Washington State Collision Data Summary:
- There were 2,438 reported alcohol-related car accidents in Washington in the year 2009. King County had the most DUI crashes with 684 collisions and Pierce County came second with 317 alcohol-related car accidents.
- Drivers in the age range of 21 to 25 were involved in the most alcohol-related car accidents (1,476) and the most DUI fatal collisions (39). Drivers between the ages of 26 and 30 had the second highest totals of DUI crashes (981) and fatal DUI accidents (24).
- Underage drivers between the ages of 16 and 20 were involved in 659 DUI injury accidents and 23 fatal alcohol-related car accidents.
- Impaired drivers caused crashes on city streets 40 percent of the time, on a state route 36 percent of the time and on county roads 23 percent of the time.
Proving Liability after a Washington DUI Accident
A driver does not have to be charged with driving under the influence to be held accountable for an injury accident. Victims of drunk drivers only need to prove that the other driver's negligence contributed to the crash. An experienced Seattle car accident attorney can review the police report and the results of any alcohol concentration tests to show that the driver had alcohol in his or her system at the time of the crash.
If liability has been determined, injured victims may file a Washington personal injury claim against an at-fault motorist to receive compensation for the damages they have suffered. A successful civil lawsuit could result in financial compensation for losses including:
- Hospital bills
- Past and future suffering
- Disability coverage
- Lost wages
- Lost future wages
- Emotional distress
- Cost of physical therapy
- Cost of medical devices and medication
Protecting the Rights of Washington DUI Victims
Receiving fair compensation following a Washington injury accident is not always easy. Even when it is clear a drunk driver caused the crash, it is common for claims to be denied. The experienced Seattle drunk driving accident victim attorneys at Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. know how to hold at-fault drivers accountable for their actions. We fight to protect the rights of our clients. If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver, please contact an experienced Washington personal injury lawyer for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.
