Washington Car Accident Attorneys

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 Murphy concentrates in personal injury and wrongful death claims in Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Bellingham, Mt. Vernon, Vancouver, and throughout Washington State.  After nearly four 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 a car 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 Murphy also know that numerous causes can contribute to fatal automobile collisions.  Some of the leading factors involved in Washington car accidents include:

• Alcohol and drugs
• Speeding
• Distracted drivers

There are steps being taken to address the problem of fatal car accidents in our state – and while the Washington wrongful death attorneys of Brett Murphy 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 Washington wrongful death attorneys at Brett Murphy 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.