Being hurt by a drunk driver is a traumatic experience. You should not have to handle legal decisions while recovering from your injuries. Puget Law Group has helped injury victims across Washington pursue the compensation they are entitled to after serious crashes.
Our drunk driving victim accident lawyer in Olympia can assess your situation and help you understand the path forward. We bring over 150 years of combined legal experience to every case. Reach out to our Olympia car accident lawyer today to discuss what happened and learn what your options may be.
Proving Fault in an Olympia Drunk Driving Accident Case
Establishing fault is the foundation of any civil drunk driving claim. In most cases, the evidence gathered at the crash scene does a great deal of that work. Police reports, field sobriety test results, and chemical test records can all establish that the at-fault driver was impaired.
Even in cases where the drunk driver was not arrested or charged, a civil claim can still move forward. The standard of proof in a civil case is lower than in a criminal proceeding, which means the evidence available may still be sufficient to support your claim. We evaluate the full picture of evidence before advising you on your options.
Connecting with an Olympia personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after a crash helps ensure that evidence is preserved before it disappears. Surveillance footage is often overwritten within days, and physical evidence at the scene can be lost quickly. Acting early can be one of the most important decisions you make after a crash.
For a free legal consultation with a drunk driving victim accidents lawyer serving Olympia, call (253) 627-4696
Insurance Tactics Victims Should Know About
After a drunk driving crash, insurance companies often move quickly — but not necessarily in your favor. Adjusters may reach out soon after the accident with a settlement offer that sounds reasonable but falls well short of what your claim is actually worth.
Accepting an early offer typically means giving up your right to pursue further compensation, even if your condition worsens. There are several tactics insurers commonly use that victims should watch for:
- Requesting recorded statements that can later be used to minimize your claim
- Disputing the severity of your injuries based on gaps in medical treatment
- Arguing that pre-existing conditions, rather than the crash, caused your symptoms
- Delaying the claims process to pressure victims into accepting lower settlements
- Offering fast, lowball settlements before the full extent of damages is known
Knowing these tactics exist is the first step to protecting yourself. Having an Olympia drunk driving victim lawyer in your corner from the start means someone is watching out for your interests at every stage of the process.
Compensation Available to Drunk Driving Victims in Olympia
Washington law allows civil injury victims to pursue a range of damages after a drunk driving crash. The specific compensation available depends on the facts of your case, the severity of your losses, and the insurance coverage in play. Our team works to identify and pursue every category of loss that applies to your situation.
Economic damages typically include medical costs, lost income, and property damage. Non-economic damages cover the harder-to-quantify losses like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving especially reckless conduct, additional damages may also be available.
The value of your claim is not simply the sum of your current medical bills. Future medical needs, long-term impacts on your ability to work, and the ongoing emotional toll of a serious crash all factor into a thorough damages assessment. We take a comprehensive approach to make sure nothing is left on the table.
Olympia Drunk Driving Victim Accident Lawyer Near Me (253) 627-4696
Why Puget Law Group for Your Olympia DUI Injury Claim
Puget Law Group has served communities throughout Washington since 2013. We are a firm of trial attorneys, not just negotiators, and that distinction matters when insurance companies decide how seriously to take your claim. Our attorneys have handled serious, high-stakes cases and know what it takes to pursue strong results for injury victims.
Our background includes attorneys who previously served as prosecutors, which gives our team a unique view of how opposing counsel approach these cases. We use that knowledge to anticipate challenges and prepare stronger claims for our clients.
We believe that access to strong legal representation should not depend on a victim’s financial situation. Our contingency fee structure removes that barrier entirely. You will not owe us anything unless we obtain compensation for you.
How Fault Is Shared in Washington Drunk Driving Cases
Washington follows a pure comparative fault rule, meaning that even if a victim is found partially at fault for a crash, they may still recover compensation. The victim’s percentage of fault reduces the amount recovered, but it is not eliminated. In drunk driving cases, however, significant shared fault on the victim’s part is relatively uncommon.
This rule becomes more relevant when factors like speeding, distracted driving, or failing to yield played a role in how the crash unfolded. Insurance adjusters sometimes raise comparative fault arguments to reduce the value of a claim. We’ll help fight those arguments.
Contact an Olympia Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Today
If a drunk driver injured you or a family member in Olympia, Puget Law Group is ready to help you take the next step. You do not have to figure this out alone, and you should not have to absorb the costs of someone else’s reckless decision. Reach out today for a free consultation with our team and let us evaluate your case at no cost to you.
There is no fee unless we win, and our drunk driving accident attorneys in Olympia are ready to put over 150 years of combined experience to work for you. The sooner you reach out, the more we can do to protect your claim.
Click to contact our Olympia Car Accident Lawyers today (253) 627-4696