Drunk Driving Car Accidents in Kirkland

Drunk driving is dangerous and can cause seriously harmful accidents. When drivers choose to get behind the wheel while under the influence, they are putting everyone else on the road in danger.

If you were injured in a motor vehicle crash with a drunk driver, you should discuss your options with a skilled attorney. Drunk driving car accidents in Kirkland can have grave consequences for those involved. While a civil lawsuit cannot undo that damage, it is possible to obtain compensation that could provide for your recovery.

Proving Negligence After a Drunk Driving Collision

A vital component of every personal injury case is negligence. In order to seek compensation, the injured person must prove that another party’s negligence caused their injuries. Establishing negligence in these accidents typically focuses on proving that the other driver was intoxicated.

There are four elements that must be met in a drunk driving injury case: establishing a duty of care, proving the duty was breached, identifying causation, and proving damages.

Duty

The initial step in any personal injury case is to establish a duty of care. Doing so is rarely an issue with motor vehicle collisions. Every Kirkland driver has a duty to operate their vehicle in a safe manner.

Breach

Proving a breach of the duty of care is often a contentious element of injury cases. Even when there is little doubt that the defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff, there is often dispute regarding whether that duty was broken. However, proof that the defendant was impaired by drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash is strong support for this element.

Causation

Causation is the link between the injuries a person sustains and an act of negligence. A drunk driver is only responsible for the damages their negligent act directly causes.

Damages

The final element of negligence is damages. For the victim of a drunk driving car crash in Kirkland to recover compensation, they must prove they have suffered compensable losses, known as damages.

Types of Available Compensation in a Drunk Driving Case

Once it is established that a drunk driver’s negligence caused an accident, the injured party could pursue compensation for losses they suffered as a result.  Damages that a crash victim could recover for include:

• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages
• Medical bills
• Property damage

An experienced attorney in Kirkland could help an injured party determine the compensation they are entitled to and work with them to develop a settlement demand or lawsuit that accounts for the full extent of their losses.

What is the Legal Limit in Kirkland?

Every jurisdiction has a legal limit on the level of alcohol in a driver’s bloodstream. State law sets this amount, and drivers who operate a vehicle with alcohol at or above the legal limit are subject to the penalties.

The legal limit is measured by a formula known as “blood alcohol concentration,” or BAC. In Kirkland, a BAC of .08 or above is over the legal limit. An injured party and their attorney could use a drunk driver’s BAC as evidence that they acted negligently behind the wheel and is therefore legally liable for the accident.

Talk to an Attorney About a Drunk Driving Accident

Victims of drunk driving car accidents in Kirkland may be eligible for financial compensation that can cover medical bills and other losses. If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident with a drunk driver, do not wait to pursue legal action. A knowledgeable attorney could help you determine the at-fault party and pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to get started.