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If you were injured by a drunk driver, our Seattle DUI accident attorneys can help. Drunk driving accidents are all too common, and when they do happen, they’re mostly unavoidable. If you or a loved one was injured in a drunk driving accident you may be entitled to financial compensation.
You shouldn’t have to worry about costly medical bills or recovery care for an injury that was of no fault of your own. A knowledgeable drunk driving accident attorney at Fang Law Firm can relieve stress in your life by helping you recover financially after a drunk driving accident.
A Seattle DUI accident lawyer can assist you with recovering financial compensation after you’ve been injured in a drunk driving accident. Among other things, a drunk driving accident attorney can:
Insurance companies know you’re vulnerable and they will do everything they can to push you into taking a smaller settlement amount than you’re entitled to. With a Seattle DUI accident attorney, you can focus on rest and recovery while your attorney works hard to get you the financial compensation you deserve.
Pursing compensation is a separate process from a pursuing criminal charges in a criminal case.
You can recover in three ways after a drunk driving accident:
Washington state requires all drivers to carry the following insurance:
You can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to recover for medical bills, lost wages, and rehabilitative care. If the at-fault driver does not have insurance, you can file a claim with your insurance company. It’s important to remember that insurance companies are a business and no matter who pays the bill, they don’t want to give out more money than they have to.
The insurance company knows you’re vulnerable and going through a difficult time; they will do everything they can to reduce your settlement amount. A Seattle drunk driving accident attorney will show the insurance company that you’re serious about receiving the settlement you deserve.
Depending on the type of injury, the above claim amounts may not be enough to cover your medical treatment or rehabilitation costs. In that case, you and your Seattle drunk driving accident lawyer can file a civil action against the at-fault party through a personal injury lawsuit.
Your personal injury attorney can file a legal action against the intoxicated driver for negligence, reckless driving, or personal injury. In an action like this, the jury could award economic and non-economic damages to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitative care, and pain and suffering. You may be able to recover compensation from the establishment that contributed to the collision under dram shop laws.
In fatal crashes, the family of the victim may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
In Washington, a BAC of .08 percent or greater is considered under the influence and punishable by criminal penalties. The vehicle does not have to be moving or even running for a driver to receive a DUI in Washington.
Washington has an implied consent law, that states that every person who operates a vehicle in Washington has already consented to a breathalyzer test. If you are lawfully arrested for a DUI, you are required to comply with a breathalyzer test. If you refuse, your license will be suspended for two years. The suspension period is longer if you have refused before.
First time offenders (no priors in the last seven years) in Washington have to pay a fine of $350 – $5000 and serve up to a year in prison. Washington has introduced the 24/7 sobriety program, aimed at keeping DUI offenders out of jail. Through this program, first-time offenders can serve 90 days of house arrest instead of time in jail.
Second time offenders will face a fine of $500 – $5000 and 30 – 364 days in jail. Second-time offenders are eligible for house arrest through the 24/7 sobriety program in lieu of jail time.
Third time offenders will face jail time of 90 to 364 days and a fine of $1000 – $5000. They will also be required to complete six months in the 24/7 sobriety program.
Impaired driving is on the rise and remains a problem throughout the state of Washington. It’s important to be aware of your surroundings to increase your chances of avoiding being hit by a drunk driver.
Any number of these injuries can be life-altering. When a catastrophic injuries occur, piles of medical bills and rehabilitation follow in its path.
Keeping an eye out for these signs can help you avoid being involved in a serious accident. Drunk drivers are unpredictable and accidents caused by drunk driving can be serious and sometimes fatal.
Contact Fang Law Firm today to discuss your financial recovery options. One of our skilled drunk driver accident attorneys is standing by. Call (206) 489-5140 for a free case consultation.