Drunk driving is a serious problem in Bellingham that can lead to terrible car crashes. These crashes can cause pain and suffering for the people involved.
If you or someone you care about has been hurt by a drunk driver, you may have a long journey ahead of you. You might have to deal with high medical bills, missed work, and physical and emotional pain.
Our skilled Bellingham drunk driving accident lawyers at Walton Law know how to handle these types of cases. We can help you hold the drunk driver responsible for their actions and fight to get you the money you deserve.
Bellingham Drunk Driving Accident Guide
Why Pick Walton Law’s Bellingham Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers for Your Case?
Our Bellingham personal injury attorneys at Walton Law are experienced in dealing with the special challenges that come with drunk driving accident cases. We have helped many people who were hurt by drunk drivers get big settlements and verdicts. This money has helped our clients start to rebuild their lives.
We have the skills, resources, and determination to take on even the toughest cases. We’re not afraid to go up against well-funded opponents like drunk drivers and their insurance companies.
Our head of the law firm, Christopher C. Walton, is a famous trial lawyer. He’s been named a Super Lawyer every year since 2013 and has the highest possible rating, AV Preeminent, from Martindale Hubbell.
Our Bellingham office is easy to get to, located just a short drive from the county courthouse and major highways. No matter where you live, our team is happy to come to you for a free meeting. We can visit you at your home, in the hospital, or anywhere else that works for you.
Proving Who’s at Fault in a Bellingham Drunk Driving Crash
To win a case against a drunk driver in Washington, you usually have to prove a few key things:
- The driver was drunk or on drugs when the crash happened.
- Being drunk made it harder for the driver to drive safely.
- The driver’s actions led to the crash and caused your injuries.
- You suffered losses because of the crash.
Proving these things can be tricky, especially when you’re dealing with complicated evidence and lawyers on the other side who have a lot of resources.
We have the skills and resources to look into your case, gather evidence, and make a strong argument for you. We work with trusted experts in areas like figuring out how accidents happen, studying alcohol and drugs, and medicine. These experts can help show how drunk the driver was and how badly you were hurt.
Evidence that can help prove who’s at fault in a drunk driving crash includes:
- Police reports and evidence from the scene of the crash
- Test results showing the driver’s blood alcohol level
- Statements and testimony from people who saw what happened
- Video footage from security cameras or dashboard cameras
- Expert analysis of what the driver did and how impaired they were
We know how to find this evidence and use it well to hold drunk drivers accountable for the harm they’ve caused.
Dram Shop Laws in Washington
Sometimes, the drunk driver might not be the only one responsible for your injuries. Washington has a law called the “dram shop” law. Under this law, a bar, restaurant, or other place that serves alcohol to someone who is clearly drunk may be held responsible if that person goes on to cause a crash.
To hold a dram shop responsible, you usually have to prove that:
- The place served alcohol to someone who was obviously drunk.
- The person’s drunkenness was a main cause of your injuries.
- The place serving alcohol to the drunk person was also a main cause of your injuries.
We can help you figure out if a dram shop claim might work in your case. We can also help you get money from everyone who is responsible.
What You Can Get Money For
If a drunk driver hurts you in Bellingham, you may be able to get money for a wide range of things, such as:
- Medical bills from the past and future related to your injuries
- Money you lost from not being able to work and not being able to earn as much in the future
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Not being able to enjoy life as much
- Damage to your vehicle
- Punitive damages
How much money you can get will depend on how badly you were hurt, how much money you lost, and how strong the evidence is against the drunk driver.
We will carefully look at your case to figure out all the ways you’ve been harmed. We’ll work hard to get you the most money possible.
What to Do After a Drunk Driving Crash
If you’ve been in a crash with a drunk driver in Bellingham, doing the right things can protect your health and your legal rights. Here’s what you should do:
- 1Call 911 and tell the police about the crash.
- Get medical help right away, even if you don’t think you’re badly hurt.
- Don’t talk about the crash with the other driver or their insurance company.
- Contact us as soon as you can to get advice on your legal options.
We offer free consultations to help people hurt by drunk drivers understand their rights and make smart choices about their cases. The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we can start building your case and fighting to get you the money you need to recover.
Get in Touch with a Bellingham Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Christopher C. Walton, Bellingham Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love has been hurt by a drunk driver in Bellingham, our skilled attorneys at Walton Law are ready to help. We understand how devastating these crashes can be, and we’re dedicated to giving each client caring, personalized service.
Don’t wait to get the legal help you need. Call us today at (360) 543-1010 for a free consultation with one of our experienced drunk driving accident lawyers. We offer evening and weekend appointments and can even come to you if you can’t make it to our office.
Let us handle your legal claim while you focus on getting better and putting your life back together.
Walton Law, A.P.C. – Bellingham Office Location
2219 Rimland Dr Suite 301,
Bellingham, WA 98226
Phone: (360) 543-1010