Tacoma Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

Fighting to Help Victims Recover Fair Compensation

No one ever wants to believe that a drunk driver may injure them. However, numerous accident victims are injured annually due to drunk drivers, and even minor injuries can lead to costly medical bills

In other instances, motor vehicle accidents caused by drunk drivers can lead to serious injuries that can leave victims unable to return to work. Sadly, drunk driving can result in fatal car accidents, leaving families to try and pick up the pieces after the death of their loved one.

If you have been injured, you may be entitled to recover financial compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, and property damage. However, due to the state’s comparative fault laws, insurance companies blame accident victims in their efforts to pay smaller claims and protect their profitability.

Contact South Sound Law Group today to schedule a free consultation with a Tacoma drunk driving lawyer so that we may professionally evaluate your claim and determine what options suit your needs.

Why Do Most Drunk Driving Accidents Occur in the Tacoma Area?

A traffic accident can occur for many reasons, including failure to obey traffic laws, tailgating, speeding, or adverse weather conditions. However, a drunk driving accident stems from the driver making poor choices that result in harm to others.

Alcohol is a depressant that can significantly reduce brain function and impair reasoning and coordination skills. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to a driver passing out while behind the wheel, slow reaction time, and impaired vision, especially if driving at night.

Sadly, because of the amount of alcohol they have consumed, many drivers have a false sense of confidence and choose to drive, resulting in severe accidents. Depending on the circumstances, most drunk drivers who have been involved in accidents also face criminal charges.

Contact our Tacoma law firm immediately to learn more about our legal services and how we can help.

What Are Some Common Injuries That Victims Suffer in Drunk Driving Accidents?

Any auto accident can result in minor injuries such as whiplash or cuts and abrasions. However, drunk driving accidents often result in severe injuries caused by the impaired driver being drowsy or unable to react quickly. Unfortunately, there is an increased probability of high-impact or head-on collisions caused by excessive speeds or rollover accidents.

Some common drunk driving injuries include:

• Fractured or broken bones
• Severe burns
• Sprains or bruises
• Soft tissue injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Amputations
• Organ loss

Sadly, many accident victims who suffer catastrophic injuries such as spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries are rendered permanently disabled and unable to care for themselves. If you have suffered a serious injury in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, contact a personal injury lawyer who can help you file a claim to recover injury-related expenses.

Why Should I Hire a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer to Help Me File a Claim?

If you have been involved in a car wreck that a drunk driver caused, it is in your best interest to hire a lawyer to help you file a claim. A drunk driving car accident lawyer understands the legal intricacies of dealing with the insurance company and what it takes to get results.

Some of the most significant benefits of hiring a drunk driving accident lawyer include:

• Experience with DUI laws: A drunk driving accident lawyer is familiar with the DUI laws, field sobriety tests, and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits and how they apply to the case
• Gather evidence: A car accident attorney has the legal and financial resources to gather critical evidence that supports your claim, including witness statements and police and medical reports
• Maximize compensation: Your accident lawyer can analyze your case and identify all potential damages you may be entitled to recover, including financial compensation for medical bills and lost wages
• Negotiate with the insurance provider: A lawyer can provide you with skilled legal representation to ensure you are treated fairly and recover compensation that will meet your needs
• Courtroom representation: If the insurance company is unwilling to offer a fair settlement, an attorney can take the case to court to help you recover damages

What Type of Compensation Can I Recover After a Drunk Driving Accident?

If you have been in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, you may be trying to figure out how to pay for your medical expenses. State law allows injury victims to seek compensation for medical bills and other accident-related expenses. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to recover economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages reimburse accident victims for out-of-pocket expenses that often include:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning potential
• Property damage

Additionally, a lawyer could help you recover economic damages to pay for medical treatment such as rehabilitation or physical therapy.

Non-economic damages reimburse accident victims for intangible losses that do not have a fixed dollar amount and often include:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Emotional pain
• Permanent disfigurement and scarring

South Sound Law Group has a proven record of recovering financial compensation for clients and would be honored to assess your case.

Can I Sue the At-Fault Driver for a Drunk Driving Accident?

In Washington state, accident victims can sue the at-fault driver for injuries and other damages after a drunk driving accident. The first step is to seek financial compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance provider. However, if the at-fault driver did not have enough insurance coverage to pay the financial costs related to the accident or deny your claim, you may need to file a civil claim against them. Additionally, in cases of fatal car accidents, the victim’s family may also be able to file a civil lawsuit to try and recover compensation for their losses.

However, because Washington state follows a comparative fault doctrine, it is best to hire a drunk driving accident lawyer to assist you with your legal needs. Under the comparative fault doctrine, accident victims are assigned a percentage of fault for the accident. The plaintiff’s compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to them. For example, suppose you are awarded $50,000, but the court determines you are 25% to blame for the accident. In that case, you would be awarded $37,500.

Unfortunately, the legal system can be overly complex and challenging to navigate independently. Contact our Tacoma car accident lawyers, who will gladly answer your questions about filing a civil claim.

Why Should I Allow a Personal Injury Attorney to Speak to the Insurance Adjuster?

A common error that accident victims often make is agreeing to speak with insurance adjusters without having legal representation. If you have been injured in a drunk driving accident, you have probably already been contacted by the insurance adjuster.

Insurance company adjusters are trained to find ways to save their companies money so they can pay fewer claims. Many insurance adjusters will ask victims to give a recorded statement and tell them it is necessary to process the claim faster. However, per comparative fault laws, insurance providers can use your statement against you to try and reduce or deny claims.

In other instances, an insurance adjuster may offer you a settlement that may seem tempting but does not account for future medical bills and other damages.

Instead, hiring a drunk driving accident lawyer who will act as your legal liaison with the insurance company is best. Your lawyer can review any settlement they offer and determine if it suits your needs. Our accident lawyers know insurance companies’ tactics and will fight to ensure you are treated fairly.

Why Should I Trust Your Personal Injury Lawyers to Help Me Recover Compensation?

If you have been injured in a car crash caused by a drunk driver, you may be unsure where you can turn to for help. South Sound Law Group has extensive experience helping clients injured in motor vehicle accidents caused by drunk drivers.

When you come to us for help, a drunk driving accident lawyer will thoroughly analyze your case to determine what legal strategies will yield the best results. Insurance providers have legal teams that look for loopholes they can use to deny claims so they can protect their profitability.

That being the case, our highly trained accident lawyers have considerable experience helping clients deal with insurance providers to ensure they are treated with the respect they deserve.

Contact South Sound Law Group today at 253-465-2722 to schedule a free initial consultation with a Tacoma drunk driving lawyer who will review your case and explain your legal options.