Seattle Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
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SEATTLE DRUNK DRIVING
ACCIDENT LAWYER
Despite tougher laws and increased public awareness, accidents caused by drunk driving continue to occur. Injuries in these accidents can be severe and potentially life threatening, while the long term impacts can impair your ability to work or even to engage in hobbies and activities you once enjoyed. At the Khan Law Firm, our experienced Seattle personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impacts these accidents can have on victims and their loved ones. We provide the aggressive legal representation you need to hold drunk drivers accountable, while assisting you in getting the compensation you deserve.
Types of Drunk Driving Accidents
Despite the efforts of public safety advocates and law enforcement officials, drunk drivers continue to be responsible for causing serious, debilitating injuries and fatalities in Washington State and throughout the country. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), as many as four million drivers admit to driving under the influence of alcohol, result in an estimated 112 million alcohol related incidents each year. Types of drunk driving accidents include the following:
- Motor vehicle accidents: The BTS reports that motor vehicle accidents involving drunk drivers injure thousands each year, and kill as many as three people every two hours.
- Pedestrian accidents: Pedestrian accidents involving drunk drivers are unfortunately common, and commonly occur in intersections and crosswalks, as well as on roads and sidewalks. The BTS estimates that close to 50 percent of all pedestrian fatalities are caused by drunk drivers.
- Bicycling accidents: In addition to pedestrians, bicyclists are also at an increased risk of injuries due to being hit by drunk drivers, and the BTS reports that drunk driving accidents are responsible for close to 35 percent of all bicycling fatalities.
- Boating accidents: While many boating enthusiasts enjoy having a few drinks or a cold beer while enjoying a day on the water, boaters are not exempt from drunk driving laws or the dangers related to drunk driving. The BTS reports that boating accidents involving alcohol can involve serious injuries, while playing a role in roughly 30 percent of all boating related fatalities.
- Transportation Accidents: Despite the fact that workers in the transportation industry, including bus drivers, airplane pilots, and ferry boat captains, are routinely warned and tested for alcohol use, transportation accidents caused by drunk drivers continue to occur. The BTS reports that as many as 15 percent of these types of workers tested positive for alcohol immediately following a crash.
OTHER PRACTICE AREAS
CAUSES OF
DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENTS
Despite the known dangers and the penalties that can result from driving under the influence, drunk driving accidents continue to happen, resulting in severe damages and heartaches for victims as well as their families. Indeed, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) reports that alcohol actually has a depressive effect, slowing the functioning of the central nervous system. The effects of alcohol that lead to drunk driving accidents include the following:
- Impaired judgment, which may lead a driver to engage in dangerous and reckless driving behaviors such as speeding and racing;
- Decreased ability to concentrate, which may cause a driver to become distracted behind the wheel;
- Comprehension problems, which may impair a driver’s ability to follow traffic directions and visual cues;
- Coordination problems, which can affect the driver’s ability to steer or use their brakes;
- Visual impairment, which may result in blurred vision or seeing double;
- Slowed reaction times, which could affect how a driver reacts to traffic and weather conditions.
Unfortunately, drunk drivers fail to see how alcohol has impaired their functioning, and insist on driving, despite the dangers they pose to themselves and others.
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What to Do After a Drunk Driving Accident
If you or someone you care about is injured as the result of a drunk driving accident, it is important to be aware of what to do in the aftermath to protect your rights to compensation for your injuries and damages. After any type of accident involving a drunk driver, it is important to do the following:
- Notify law enforcement immediately;
- Provide your contact information to law enforcement, and get any information you can about others who may have been involved;
- Make a mental note of details leading up to the accident, such as when you became aware of the drunk driver and any erratic behavior they may have been exhibiting;
- Pay attention for any witnesses at the scene of the accident that may be able to corroborate your version of events;
- Get medical attention right away, regardless of your symptoms. There are many serious conditions whose symptoms take days and even weeks to appear;
- Contact our experienced drunk driving attorney as soon as possible.
In addition to the above, be sure and gather your insurance documents and notify your insurance company right away. While you may be entitled to compensation through an insurance claim, be careful of making any statements or signing any types of settlement documents without first consulting with your attorney first.
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How an Attorney Can Help You Recover Damages
Drunk driving accidents can result in injuries that are severe and debilitating. You may be unable to work or perform certain aspects of your job, while requiring ongoing care and medical treatment. It may take months or even years to fully recover, and your injuries could result in permanent disabilities that will impact you and your family, both now and in the future. In these types of situations, our drunk driving accident attorney can act as your legal advocate, protecting your rights and making sure you get the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. Ways in which our experienced Seattle drunk driving accident attorneys can help include the following:
- Negotiating with the insurance company to ensure you get the maximum amount in a settlement;
- Investigating the scene of your accident, and obtaining police reports and witness statements;
- Obtaining medical records and statements from your medical providers regarding your injuries and your prognosis for recovery;
- Organizing medical bills and receipts to show the expenses already paid and to estimate future costs you may incur;
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit against the drunk driver, in the event an insurance settlement is denied or cannot be reached.
Drunk driving is an indefensible act that results in pain and suffering for both victims and their families. At the Khan Law Firm, we provide the aggressive legal representation you need to hold drunk drivers accountable for their actions, and assist you in getting the compensation you need to recover. Call or contact our office online today to schedule a free review of your case.