Spokane Drunk Driving Accident Attorney
Despite decades of public education efforts in Spokane, driving under the influence of alcohol remains a common cause of accidents Spokane County. Drunk drivers actually put other people on the road in more danger than themselves, making the choice to drive after too many drinks is clearly wrong. Sadly, Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and Driving Under the Influence (DUI) are both very common occurrences in Spokane. Even with increased public awareness and tougher laws, drunk driving continues to be the cause of serious injuries and fatalities in many types of moving vehicle accidents. They are not isolated to just people driving in cars. Types of drunk driving accidents can include the following:- Pedestrian Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Bus Accidents
- Hit and Run Accidents
Washington State Crime Victims Compensation
If you are a victim of a DUI/DWI injury you may be able to receive financial help through the Washington State Crime Victims Compensation Fund. This fund was created to help victims of crime. If you’re eligible, the fund may cover:- medical/dental benefits
- Lost wages
- Medication coverage
- Mental health treatment
- Grief counseling
- Funeral expenses
Proving Negligence in a Drunk Driving Case
For an injured person to have grounds for a lawsuit, they must be able to prove the driver of the vehicle was wholly or partially responsible for causing the accident. To make an accident claim, the injured victim will need to prove that:- The driver of the car or truck had a duty to drive safely and use reasonable care.
- The driver of the car or truck breached that duty.
- The person who was hit was injured or harmed.
- The breach of duty was the proximate cause of the person’s injuries or damages.
Can I Sue a Drinking Establishment That Sold Alcohol to The Driver Who Hit Me?
The Dram Shop Act is a case law which makes a business which sells alcoholic drinks or a host who serves liquor to a drinker who is obviously intoxicated or close to it, strictly liable to anyone injured by the drunken patron or guest. So the answer is yes you can sue a drinking establishment. However, the better questions to ask is “Does my case have the facts present to win a DRAM shop liability case?” This is something you’ll want to have reviewed by a lawyer. You have to prove that there were visible signs of intoxication and despite the warning signs the establishment or person continued to serve alcohol to the intoxicated person. These cases can be hard to prove, and evidence evaporates quickly, so if you think you have a claim, speak with a personal injury lawyer as soon as you can.If The Driver is Proven to Have Been Intoxicated, Do I Automatically Win?
No, you will not automatically win, but it will make your case much easier to win. If a person is proven to be intoxicated in violation of a statute, it can be argued to be negligence per se or negligence as a fact because of the violation of law. You still have to prove the other facts of your case, like your injuries were actually caused by the accident and the amount of your damages. The case will be easier but not automatic. These cases usually settle because juries don’t like drunk drivers and are likely to penalize them severely if the case goes to trial.Free Consultation
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Steps You Should Take if Your Involved in a Drunk Driving Accident
If you’ve been involved in a drunk driving accident it’s important to follow some basic steps in the minutes and days following the incident. To learn more about the steps below read 10 Steps You Should Take After an Automobile Accident.- Stop Your Vehicle
- Check yourself for Injuries
- Check on the wellbeing of others
- Determine if you need to call the police
- Do not Implicate Yourself
- Exchange insurance and contact information
- Document your experience and gather evidence
- Track Expenses
- Notify your insurer and start the claims process
- Contact a personal injury attorney