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Drunk driving is a crime, and when it leads to car
crashes it can rob families of their loved ones and cause
immeasurable emotional and financial damage.
DWI, or driving while intoxicated, plays a significant role
in preventable deaths suffered in the state of Washington;
in fact, DWI fatalities account for almost 45% of
traffic-related deaths in our state. Criminal
penalties alone aren’t always sufficient to address the
problem - more than half of those drivers arrested for DWI
are repeat offenders, and two-thirds of drivers with
DWI-related license suspensions continue to drive.
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 firsthand the damage caused by
drunk drivers. We know that DWI fatalities are completely
preventable - and the families impacted by fatal DWI
accidents are often left with questions long after the
criminal trial has ended. Contact our firm today by calling 360-714-0900, 1-800-925-1875
or submit a request via our online
form.
There are steps you can take as a family member to
achieve justice for your loved one even if the driver has
already been sentenced to jail time. Any business that
illegally provided alcohol to the driver can be sued under
Washington’s “dram shop” laws, and motor vehicle insurance
policies may also be a source for legal compensation.
The lawyers at Brett & Coats, PLLC can take the following
legal action on your behalf:
- File a claim against the drunk driver's insurance
company.
- File a claim against a bar or restaurant that served
alcohol to the driver if he or she was already obviously
intoxicated.
- File a claim against a bar or restaurant that served
alcohol to the driver without a valid liquor license.
- File a claim against a store, bar or restaurant that
sold or served alcohol to a minor.
In addition to the steps outlined above, the Washington
State Patrol has been targeting drunk drivers more
aggressively, stepping up efforts during key holiday
weekends when alcohol consumption tends to increase. Those
efforts during Super Bowl Weekend 2009 paid off when police
arrested 125 drunk drivers, compared to only 75 arrests
during the same time frame in 2008.
Despite increased police attention toward drunk drivers,
DWI fatalities remain a serious problem in Washington State.
If you have lost a loved one in an accident with a drunk
driver, 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
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