Drunk driving accidents are among the most devastating and preventable tragedies on our roads. If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver in Snohomish County, you may be facing a long road to recovery, with mounting medical bills, lost income, and physical and emotional pain.
The experienced Snohomish drunk driving accident lawyers at Walton Law can help you hold the intoxicated driver accountable and fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Snohomish County Drunk Driving Accident Guide
Why Choose Walton Law for Your Drunk Driving Accident Case
Walton Law is a premier personal injury firm with offices in Snohomish County and Southern California. Our founding attorney, Christopher C. Walton, is a nationally recognized trial lawyer who has been honored as a Super Lawyer every year since 2013. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Consumer Attorneys of California and is the Immediate Past President of Consumer Attorneys of San Diego.
At Walton Law, we understand the unique challenges and legal issues involved in drunk driving accident cases.
Our skilled Snohomish personal injury attorneys have successfully represented victims of intoxicated drivers, securing settlements and verdicts that have helped our clients rebuild their lives.
We have the knowledge, resources, and tenacity to take on even the most complicated cases and well-funded defendants, including drunk drivers and their insurance companies.
Our Snohomish County office is conveniently located at 6100 219th Street SW #480 in Mountlake Terrace, just minutes from Ballinger Park. We also have an office in Bellingham to serve clients in the northern part of the county.
No matter where you are located, our team is ready to come to you for a free consultation at your home, hospital room, or any other location that works best for you.
Compensation in Drunk Driving Accident Cases
If you’ve been injured by a drunk driver in Washington, you may be entitled to recover a wide range of damages, including:
- Past and future medical expenses related to your injuries
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Punitive damages (in cases of egregious misconduct)
The value of your drunk driving accident claim will depend on factors like the severity of your injuries, the extent of your financial losses, and the strength of the evidence against the intoxicated driver.
Our attorneys will carefully assess your case to determine the full scope of your damages and aggressively pursue the maximum compensation you are owed.
Holding Drunk Drivers Accountable
In addition to facing criminal charges, drunk drivers can be held civilly liable for the harm they cause.
To win a drunk driving accident case in Washington, you must generally prove the following elements:
The driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident.- The driver’s intoxication impaired their ability to operate the vehicle safely.
- The driver’s impaired driving caused the accident and your injuries.
- You suffered damages as a result of the accident.
Proving these elements can be challenging, especially when dealing with complex evidence and well-funded defense attorneys.
At Walton Law, we have the skills and resources to thoroughly investigate your case, gather evidence, and build a compelling argument on your behalf.
We work with trusted experts in fields like accident reconstruction, toxicology, and medicine to demonstrate the full extent of the driver’s intoxication and the impact of your injuries.
Dram Shop Liability in Washington
In some cases, the drunk driver may not be the only party liable for your injuries. Under Washington’s dram shop law, a bar, restaurant, or other establishment that serves alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person may be held liable if that person goes on to cause an accident.
To hold a dram shop liable, you must typically prove that:
Serving Alcohol to an Apparently Intoxicated Person
The first element in a dram shop liability case is proving that the establishment served alcohol to a person who was visibly or apparently under the influence of alcohol. This means that the person’s intoxication was observable and apparent to others, including the staff at the bar, restaurant, or other establishment.
Signs of an intoxicated person include:
- Slurred speech
- Unsteady gait or balance
- Bloodshot or glassy eyes
- Loud or boisterous behavior
- Spilling drinks or difficulty handling money
If the establishment’s staff served alcohol to a person displaying these or other signs of intoxication, they may be liable for any harm that person goes on to cause.
Intoxication as a Proximate Cause of Your Injuries
The second element in a dram shop liability case is showing that the person’s intoxication was a proximate cause of your injuries. Proximate cause means that the intoxication was a substantial factor in bringing about your harm and that your injuries were a reasonably foreseeable consequence of the person’s impaired state.
To establish proximate cause, your attorney may use evidence such as:
- Police reports and witness statements indicating that the person was intoxicated at the time of the accident
- Blood alcohol content (BAC) test results showing the person’s level of intoxication
- Expert testimony from toxicologists or accident reconstructionists
The intoxicated person’s conduct does not have to be the only cause of your injuries, but it must be a significant contributing factor.
Establishment’s Service as a Proximate Cause of Your Injuries
The third element in a dram shop liability case is proving that the establishment’s service of alcohol to the intoxicated person was a proximate cause of your injuries.
This means that the establishment’s conduct in serving the alcohol was a substantial factor in bringing about your harm and that your injuries were a reasonably foreseeable consequence of their actions.
To establish this element, your attorney may present evidence such as:
- Witness statements or security footage showing that the establishment continued to serve the visibly intoxicated person
- Receipts or tab records indicating the number of drinks served to the person
- Evidence that the establishment failed to train its staff on responsible alcohol service or disregarded signs of intoxication
This element requires showing a direct link between the establishment’s negligent alcohol service and the harm you suffered as a result of the intoxicated person’s actions.
Our attorneys can help you investigate whether a dram shop claim may be appropriate in your case and pursue compensation from all responsible parties.
What to Do After a Drunk Driving Accident
If you’ve been involved in an accident with a drunk driver in Snohomish County, taking the right steps can protect your health and your legal rights.
Here’s what you should do:
- Report the accident to the police.
- Seek medical attention right away, even if your injuries seem minor.
- Avoid discussing the accident with the other driver or their insurance company.
- Contact an experienced drunk driving accident lawyer as soon as possible for guidance on your legal options.
At Walton Law, we offer free consultations to help drunk driving accident victims understand their rights and make informed decisions about their cases. The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we can start building your case and fighting for your recovery.
Contact a Snohomish County Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Christopher C. Walton, Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Snohomish County
If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver in Snohomish County, we are here to help. Call us today for your free consultation with one of our skilled drunk driving accident lawyers. We’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, and discuss how we can help you seek justice and compensation for your losses.
Don’t wait – the sooner you call, the sooner we can start working on your case. Call (360) 543-1010 now to take the first step towards holding the drunk driver accountable and securing the support you need to move forward.
Walton Law, A.P.C. – Snohomish Office Location
6100 219th St SW #480
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
Phone: (866) 338-7079