Tacoma Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

A drunk driver’s choice to get behind the wheel has turned your world upside down, leaving you with physical pain, a growing stack of bills, and a deep sense of injustice.

You are not just another number on a Washington State Patrol report. You are a person whose life was violently interrupted, and you have the right to hold that driver accountable.

Working with a Tacoma drunk driving accident lawyer is a critical move toward regaining control and securing the resources you need to heal. This is about getting your life back.

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How Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in Tacoma Help After an Accident

In the days after the collision, the shock wears off and is replaced by the harsh realities of your situation. The pain from your injuries can be debilitating, making even simple daily tasks a challenge.

A Tacoma drunk driving accident lawyer steps in to shoulder the legal burdens, allowing you to focus on what matters most: your recovery. They act as your shield and your champion, managing the complexities of the legal system on your behalf.

1. They Conduct a Full Investigation: Your lawyer gathers all crucial evidence, including the police report containing the DUI charge, photos from the scene, and statements from anyone who witnessed the crash.
2. They Manage All Communications: Your attorney takes over all contact with the at-fault driver's insurance company. Adjusters are trained to minimize claim payouts, and having a legal professional handle these calls protects you from their tactics.
3. They Calculate Your Total Damages: An attorney works to determine the full financial impact of the crash. This includes not just your current medical bills and lost wages, but also the projected costs of future care and the value of your pain and suffering.

Washington Law and Your Right to Compensation

After a drunk driving crash in Washington, two separate legal processes often unfold. It is helpful to understand the difference between them.

• The Criminal Case: The City of Tacoma or Pierce County prosecutes the impaired driver for the crime of DUI. A conviction can lead to fines, jail time, and a license suspension for the driver. While you are a key witness, this case will not result in compensation for your injuries.
• Your Civil Claim: This is your personal injury claim against the at-fault driver to recover money for your losses. This case is about making you financially whole again after the harm you have suffered. The success of the criminal case can provide powerful evidence for your civil claim.

In some situations, the drunk driver is not the only party who can be held responsible. Washington’s Dram Shop Liability law allows victims to hold a bar, restaurant, or tavern accountable if they served alcohol to a person who was "apparently under the influence," and that person then caused your accident.

Building a Strong Foundation for Your Claim

One of the most helpful things you can do from home is to keep all paperwork and information related to the accident and your injuries organized. This documentation provides the proof needed to show the full impact the crash has had on your life.

Key Documents to Preserve

Your lawyer will use these records to build the strongest possible case for you.

• Medical Records and Bills: Keep every bill, discharge summary, and report from hospitals like St. Joseph Medical Center, as well as from your doctors, physical therapists, and pharmacists.
• Proof of Lost Income: Obtain a letter from your employer confirming your rate of pay and the time you have missed from work. Keep copies of recent pay stubs.
• Accident-Related Expenses: Save all receipts for out-of-pocket costs, such as transportation to medical appointments or prescription co-pays.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

In a personal injury claim, the legal term for your losses is "damages." The goal of your claim is to secure compensation to cover all these damages, which are paid by the at-fault party's insurance. These damages fall into two main categories.

Economic Damages

These are for the specific, calculable financial losses you have sustained.

1. All Medical Expenses: This covers every medical cost you have already incurred and the estimated cost of any care you will need in the future, including surgery, rehabilitation, and medication.
2. All Lost Wages: This compensates you for the income you lost while unable to work. If your injuries impact your ability to earn a living long-term, you can also seek damages for loss of earning capacity.
3. Property Damage: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle and any other personal items destroyed in the crash.

Non-Economic Damages

These damages compensate you for the profound, non-financial ways the accident has affected your life.

• Pain and Suffering: This is for the physical pain and discomfort you have endured and may continue to experience.
• Emotional Distress: This addresses the psychological trauma of the event, including anxiety, fear of driving, and sleep disturbances.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: You deserve compensation if you are no longer able to enjoy hobbies, activities, or time with family that brought you joy, whether it was hiking at Point Defiance Park or playing with your kids.

Why You Need a Lawyer to Handle the Insurance Company

Soon after the crash, you will likely receive a call from the at-fault driver’s insurance adjuster. This person’s job is to settle your claim for the lowest amount possible. They are not on your side.

• They will request a recorded statement. They can use anything you say out of context to devalue or deny your claim. It is best to decline this request until you have spoken with an attorney.
• They may make a quick, low settlement offer. This offer may seem tempting, but it will not account for the full scope of your injuries or future needs. Accepting it closes your claim for good.
• They will try to shift blame. The adjuster may ask leading questions to try to get you to admit partial fault for the crash, which would reduce the value of your claim under Washington's comparative negligence rule.

When a Tacoma drunk driving accident lawyer manages these communications, you are protected from these tactics. Your attorney will handle all negotiations, fighting for a settlement that is fair and just.

Accountability Beyond the Driver: Washington’s Dram Shop Laws

Washington law recognizes that the chain of responsibility sometimes starts earlier. The state has laws in place that can hold establishments that serve alcohol accountable for over-serving a patron who then causes an accident.

This area of law provides another avenue for victims to seek justice and compensation. This legal principle is known as Dram Shop Liability. A "dram shop" is an old term for a place that sells alcohol, like a bar or tavern.

• The Core Principle: A bar, restaurant, or other licensed establishment that sells alcohol to a person who is "apparently under the influence of liquor" may be held financially liable for the harm that person later causes in a drunk driving accident.
• The Public Safety Goal: These laws exist to protect the community. They encourage businesses from the Tacoma waterfront to the suburbs of Puyallup to train their staff to serve alcohol responsibly and to cut off patrons who have clearly had too much to drink.
• Investigating the Source: A thorough investigation by a Tacoma drunk driving accident lawyer involves tracing the driver's steps before the crash. This means finding out where they were drinking and whether a business violated its duty to the public by over-serving them.

What does "apparently under the influence" mean? This is the key legal standard. It refers to signs of intoxication that a reasonable person would be able to observe.

1. Visible Signs of Intoxication: This includes things like slurred speech, stumbling or difficulty walking, aggressive behavior, or other obvious indicators that a person is impaired.
2. Server's Responsibility: A bartender or server is expected to recognize these signs and refuse to serve more alcohol to that individual.
3. Proving the Case: Proving a dram shop claim often involves gathering evidence like receipts from the bar, statements from other patrons or employees, and video surveillance footage to show that the driver was obviously intoxicated when they were last served.

A related concept, Social Host Liability, applies to private individuals rather than businesses. In Washington, a social host (someone hosting a party or gathering) is generally not liable for the actions of an intoxicated adult guest. However, there is a very important exception for minors.

A social host who provides alcohol to a person under the age of 21 can be held liable for any damage that minor causes in a subsequent drunk driving crash.

Identifying a liable third party through these laws is a critical part of seeking full justice.

It provides an additional source of compensation, which is especially important if the drunk driver was uninsured or carried only the minimum amount of insurance required by law.

Why Choose Pendergast Law for Your Tacoma Drunk Driving Accident Case?

When an impaired driver injures you, you need an advocate who combines skill with genuine compassion. At Pendergast Law, we understand the fear and anger you are experiencing.

We provide the strong representation you need to hold the responsible parties accountable and secure your future. We believe our focus on our clients sets us apart.

• We Listen to You: We take the time to understand how this event has impacted your life. Your story is the foundation of your case, and we make sure it is heard.
• We Shoulder the Burden: Our goal is to lift the stress of the legal process off your shoulders. We handle the insurance companies, the paperwork, and the deadlines so you can focus on healing.
• We Are Determined Advocates: We prepare every case for the possibility of trial. This thorough preparation allows us to negotiate from a position of strength and shows insurance companies we are serious about achieving justice for you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Take the First Step Toward Justice

The reckless choice of a drunk driver has caused you immense pain and disruption. You have the right to demand accountability and to secure the financial resources necessary to put your life back together.

Taking legal action is about protecting yourself and your family's future. You do not have to face the insurance companies and the legal system alone. Your focus should be on your physical and emotional recovery. Let a dedicated advocate handle the fight for justice on your behalf.

• Continue with all your recommended medical care.
• Keep a simple journal of how your injuries affect you each day.
• Understand your legal rights by speaking with a legal professional.

If you were hurt by a drunk driver in Tacoma or the surrounding area, the team at Pendergast Law is here to help. We offer a no-cost, confidential consultation to discuss your situation and explain your options.

Call us at (253) 238-2410 or connect with us through our online contact page to get started.