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Seattle Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
Helping victims recover after life-changing drunk driving accidents
Getting hurt by a drunk driver can change your whole life in just a few seconds. Many people find themselves dealing with physical pain, hospital bills, missed time from work, and stress that feels really hard to deal with. It's normal for victims to feel lost in what to do and incredibly angry that someone decided to be so reckless and drive while drunk.
It's not fair, and you shouldn't have to deal with the financial losses or emotional aftermath on your own. Quality legal help can give you a sense of direction and take a large weight off your shoulders during this difficult time. Reach out to Smith McBroom to speak with one of our drunk driving accident lawyers.
How can we help?
- What makes drunk driving accident cases different?
- Common injuries caused by drunk driving accidents
- Who can be held civilly liable after a drunk driving crash?
- Civil and criminal cases are different
- What compensation may be available after a drunk driving accident?
- Is there a Washington drunk driving accident attorney near me?
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What makes drunk driving accident cases different?
Not all car accident cases are handled the same way, especially when alcohol is involved; cases against drunk drivers have some important differences compared to typical crashes. These differences can greatly affect the legal process and how victims are compensated for what they have been through.
Evidence is often stronger
Drunk driving accidents sometimes lead to more forms of evidence than are seen in other accident claims. Police often produce multiple reports, perform field sobriety tests, administer breathalyzer tests, and collect blood samples. All of this evidence can be very useful in a civil case for a victim injured by a drunk driver.
Common injuries caused by drunk driving accidents
When a drunk driver causes a crash, the physical injuries can be severe. Many people leave the scene with life-changing medical problems, some easy to see and others that take time to understand. Below are some of the most common injuries victims in Washington experience because of impaired drivers.
Traumatic brain injuries
As the head comes into contact with windows, the dashboard, or even whiplash-type motions, the brain can suffer serious trauma. Sometimes the result is a mild concussion, but it can also lead to traumatic brain injuries, bringing lifelong struggles with memory, concentration, or even how a person operates on a day-to-day basis.
Spinal cord injuries
Violent impacts are common in drunk driving accidents, and this can put a lot of stress on a person's spine. A damaged spinal cord may bring chronic pain, changes to movement, or loss of function and paralysis that no surgery can fully fix.
Broken bones and orthopedic injuries
Bones are not designed to handle the full force of car accidents. Legs, arms, wrists, ribs, and hips break or shatter when vehicles crash at high speed. Victims may face painful recoveries, surgeries, long hospital stays, or physical therapy.
Internal injuries
Car crashes may injure organs or cause internal bleeding that could go unnoticed without careful doctor exams. Victims who ignore these signals may find themselves facing serious health issues later on.
Wrongful death
Unfortunately, not everyone involved in drunk driving accidents makes it through alive. Drunk driving is a leading cause of sudden, unexpected loss. Families left behind may be able to pursue wrongful death claims to recover compensation as a result of their loss.
Losses and serious injuries from a drunk driving accident can impact victims and their families for the rest of their lives, but you never have to deal with it on your own.
Who can be held civilly liable after a drunk driving crash?
Determining who is to blame after a drunk driving crash is not always as simple as it seems. There could be multiple parties that play a role in the accident. Some examples include:
The impaired driver
Usually, the driver who chose to drink and drive is the main person held accountable for injuries and damages. This individual made the decision to operate a vehicle under the influence and, as a direct result, harmed others.
Vehicle owners
Sometimes it is not just the driver who is legally responsible. When a car owner knowingly lets an impaired person drive their vehicle, the owner can be held responsible as well. This often arises when the owner is aware, or should have been aware, of the person’s condition before handing over the keys.
Bars and restaurants - Washington’s dram shop laws
Washington has what are known as dram shop laws. These laws allow an injured person to bring a claim against bars, restaurants, grocery stores, or other alcohol vendors who serve or sell alcohol illegally or carelessly in certain situations.
Observing an intoxicated patron
If an employee of an establishment keeps serving drinks to someone who is clearly already drunk, and this person later drives and causes a crash, the business may also be responsible for damages. Proof that the person was served while visibly intoxicated is important in these cases.
Serving alcohol to minors
Businesses that provide alcohol to people under the age of 21 can be named in claims when those minors later get behind the wheel and injure someone.
Social host liability
In most cases, hosts are not responsible when an adult guest causes an accident after drinking at their home. Washington law is also limited when it comes to third-party claims against social hosts who provide alcohol to minors.
Understanding who may be responsible for your accident helps you determine how to move forward. With effective legal help, every path for recovery can be carefully considered.
Civil and criminal cases are different
An important thing to understand if you’ve been a victim of a drunk driving accident is that criminal and civil cases are different, even though you may be involved in both.
Criminal cases
Criminal cases are brought by the state prosecutor, with the goal of some form of punishment being imposed. You may be called to testify if the case goes to trial, but you have no say about whether or not the person who caused the accident is charged with a crime.
Civil cases
Civil cases are brought by you as the injured party. The goal is to hold the person accountable and to recover compensation for some of the financial losses and other impacts the accident has had on your life. A criminal case must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, whereas a civil case is easier to win. The standard is a preponderance of the evidence, meaning the defendant is more likely than not to have been drunk and to have caused the accident that resulted in damages.
Both types of cases serve to hold the responsible party accountable, but they operate differently. You can pursue a civil claim regardless of whether there is a criminal case, and no matter what the outcome of that case is.
What compensation may be available after a drunk driving accident?
After a drunk driving accident, there are different types of damages a victim may be able to collect. Common types include:
- Current medical expenses
- Future medical costs
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
The exact types and amounts will depend on the specifics of the case, including the severity of injuries and how clear it is that the defendant was under the influence and caused the crash.
Is there a Seattle drunk driving accident attorney near me?
After being injured by a drunk driver, one of the most important things you can do is seek legal help, and it’s important that you find experienced and compassionate assistance. Our law firm has been handling these types of cases for decades, and we will do everything we can to help you and your family recover. You can find our office at 16400 Southcenter Parkway, Suite 210, Seattle, Washington 98188. Contact us when you’re ready to set up a free consultation.
Contact Smith McBroom to schedule a free consultation with a drunk driving accident lawyer
At our law firm, we handle cases involving drunk driving with the care each person deserves. Our goal is to give victims and their loved ones honest support while holding the right people accountable. Legal matters can seem overwhelming if you haven’t faced them before, but we’re here to answer questions directly and help you figure out what comes next in these complicated cases.
No one expects to be in this situation, but once you're in it, it's important that you take the right steps and find the right help. Call Smith McBroom today to schedule a free consultation with a Washington drunk driving accident lawyer.