Washington DWI & DUI Lawyers
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 (driving while intoxicated) and DUI (Driving Under the Influence) play a significant role in preventable deaths suffered in the State of Washington; in fact, DWI/DUI 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/DUI are repeat offenders, and two-thirds of drivers with DWI-related license suspensions continue to drive.
The law firm of Brett Murphy concentrates in personal injury and wrongful death claims in Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Bellingham, Mount Vernon, Vancouver and throughout Washington State. After nearly four decades of legal experience, we’ve seen firsthand the damage caused by drunk drivers. We know that DWI/DUI fatalities are completely preventable – and the families impacted by fatal DUI 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 Washington wrongful death lawyers at Brett Murphy 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 and DUI fatalities remain a serious problem in Washington State. If you have lost a loved one in an auto accident with a drunk driver, the Washington wrongful death and auto accident 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.
