|
Car accidents are the primary killer of Washington
residents under the age of 45, according to the Washington
State Department of Health. An average of 2 people die
every day as the result of a car accident in our state, and
more than 100 suffer injuries.
The law firm of Brett & Coats, PLLC concentrates in
personal injury and wrongful death claims in Seattle,
Tacoma, Portland, Spokane and Bellingham and throughout
Washington State. After more than three decades of
legal experience, we’ve seen the damage caused by negligent
or drunk drivers. We know that many of these deaths are
preventable - and the families impacted by fatal car
accidents are often confused about how to navigate the legal
system and resume their lives. For help with your case, call
360-714-0900, 1-800-925-1875
or submit a request via our online
form.
If you have lost a loved one in a car accident, it’s
important to know your rights under Washington law:
- If your loved one’s fatal car accident was caused by
another driver’s negligence, you may file a wrongful
death claim against that driver or the driver’s
insurance company.
- If your loved one was killed in an accident caused
by an automotive defect, you may have grounds for a
wrongful death claim against the manufacturer.
- If your loved one died in an accident with a drunk
driver who was served alcohol at a bar or restaurant,
you may be able to file a “dram shop” claim if the
driver was visibly drunk or a minor while being served.
Attorneys at Brett & Coats, PLLC also know that numerous
causes can contribute to fatal automobile collisions.
Some of the leading factors involved in Washington car
accidents include:
- Alcohol
- Speeding
- Distracted drivers
There are steps being taken to address the problem of
fatal car accidents in our state - and while the attorneys
of Brett & Coats, PLLC remain dedicated to representing the
interests of those killed, our police and lawmakers are also
working hard to prevent further tragedies.
- In May 2007, Washington became the first state to
ban text messaging while driving - in an effort to cut
down on distracted drivers who often cause serious
crashes while texting or talking on the phone.
- In 2009, the Washington State Patrol dedicated
additional patrols to certain roadway construction zones in
King County to cut down on collisions. Troopers have
been targeting drunk driving, speeding and other dangerous
behaviors that can quickly lead to multi-car pileups around
construction projects.
- During the 2009 Super bowl, the Washington State
Patrol dedicated extra troops to target suspected drunk
drivers - they increased arrests and likely reduced the
number of fatal accidents as a result.
Despite these advances in car accident prevention,
however, innocent people continue to lose their lives on
Washington roadways. If you have lost a loved one from
a car accident, the attorneys at Brett & Coats, PLLC can
help protect your rights and hold the negligent parties
responsible for your loss. Contact our firm today by calling
360-714-0900, 1-800-925-1875
or submit a request via our online
form/a>.
|
