Drunk driving or drugged driving is the number one contributing factor in fatal car crashes in Washington State. The National numbers mirror this disturbing trend; every day about 37 people lose their lives in a drunk driving accident. As car accident lawyers, we fight for fair settlements for people injured by drunk and drugged drivers.
How many accidents are caused by drunk driving?
According to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in December 2022, “Alcohol-involved crashes resulted in 14,219 fatalities, 497,000 nonfatal injuries, and $68.9 billion in economic costs in 2019…” In Washington State, 32 percent of fatal crashes in Washington involved alcohol positive drivers between 2017 and 2021, according to WTSC Director Shelly Baldwin.
Drivers owe a duty of care to other drivers to operate their vehicles in a safe and reasonable way. When they get behind the wheel. A driver who chooses to drive while impaired and crashes into another vehicle is negligent. They have failed to meet their duty of care.
What is drunk driving?
According to addictioncenter.com, impaired driving, drunk driving, or driving under the influence of alcohol is when a person drinks alcohol and then operates a motor vehicle before the effects of the alcohol have worn off. A motor vehicle can be a car, truck, bicycle, motorcycle, boat, or even a golf cart.
When a drunk driving crash causes debilitating injury, you may be entitled to a bigger settlement than your car insurance company is offering. Tario & Associates, P.S. has over 40 years of experience representing victims of drunk driving car accidents. When you have been seriously injured through no fault of your own, you may need a legal advocate. Someone who will fight for the settlement you deserve. We provide FREE case evaluations, home and hospital visits, and no attorney fees unless you recover damages. Do not delay, contact the most experienced practicing car accident attorney Mount Vernon has today!
Experience Matters
Since 1979, the Mount Vernon accident lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. have helped thousands of injured people in Mount Vernon and throughout Whatcom County to receive fair compensation and just treatment for their injuries. We have the resources, experience, and knowledge necessary to represent our car crash clients. Our network of well-regarded specialists in accident reconstruction, psychology, and engineering serves as an invaluable resource when determining liability and calculating the severity and the costs related to your personal injury. With the Tario & Associates, P.S. Mount Vernon injury lawyers on your side, you will have the experience and knowledge you need to win and receive fair compensation for your accident.
If you need help with a drunk driving accident claim, you can count on our Mount Vernon car accident lawyers.
What is a reasonable hit by drunk driver settlement?
Average settlements for drunk driving accidents range between $80,000 and $125,000. However, they can be much higher or lower depending on the injuries sustained by the victim. For example, if the drunk driving accident was fatal or the injured victim is now disabled for life. Then the settlement could be much higher. If the injuries were minor, the value of the claim may be lower. The only way to determine what your claim is worth is to speak with an experienced drunk driving injury lawyer. Lawyers with experience advocating for victims of drunk drivers.
How do I know if I should pursue a personal injury claim if I was hit by a drunk driver?
The only way to know if you have a case is to meet with one of our experienced personal injury associates. All for a FREE consultation. A dedicated car accident lawyer at Tario & Associates, P.S. will walk you through your claim and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Should I try to settle my own drunk driving car accident claim?
An insurance adjuster works for the insurance company, not you. If the at-fault insurance adjuster has already presented you with a proposed settlement, you need to know whether it is fair, if your claim is worth more, or if you should hire an attorney to force the insurance company to pay you the full and fair compensation you deserve. During your initial free consultation, we can help you determine the best way to proceed. It is not unusual for our attorneys to be able to achieve monetary recoveries five to twenty times what an insurance company has offered.
How much do I have to pay to pursue a drunk driver accident claim?
There are no upfront costs or fees paid by our clients to pursue an injury claim. We provide representation on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases. While you will not incur any attorney fees if you do not win your case, Washington State law requires clients to reimburse the law firm. This is for out-of-pocket expenses. Our firm advances out-of-pocket costs for our injury clients and does not require our clients to pay any of these costs upfront. When cases are concluded with a monetary recovery, our firm is repaid for the out-of-pocket costs. This includes what we have advanced with a percentage of the settlement.
If you or a loved one was injured by a drunk driver in a drunk driving accident, contact a car accident attorney as soon as you are able. The injury lawyer can discuss your legal rights, and may be able to help you recover damages.
