Drunk/Drugged Driving Truck Accident Lawyer in Kent
- Recovering Damages After a Drunk or Drugged Driving Truck Accident
- Why Choose Herschensohn Law for Your Drunk/Drugged Driving Truck Accident Case?
- Our Lawyers Can Prove Liability After a Crash With a Truck Driver Under the Influence
- Both Drunk and Drugged Driving Come With Steep Penalties
- Drunk and Drugged Driving Statistics
- Contact Herschensohn Law Today for Help From a Kent Truck Accident Attorney
If you were injured due to an accident with a drunk or drugged truck driver in Kent, then you could be entitled to compensation for your damages. These negligent behaviors lead to some of the most violent accidents on our roadways, and those who suffer most from them should not have to suffer financial hardship. At Herschensohn Law, our drunk/drugged driving truck accident attorneys in Kent, Washington can help you file a lawsuit to recover the compensation you deserve.
Drunk driving and driving under the influence of drugs are two of the most dangerous actions that a driver can take. Unfortunately, even with all the statistics and known dangers of these actions, drivers still elect to drive under the influence. Drunk and drugged truck drivers do not just put themselves in danger, they endanger the lives of everyone else on the road. While you cannot control what another driver is doing, their choices can greatly impact your life.
Contact our team today for a free case review: (206) 588-4344.
Drunk or drugged driving crashes can leave victims with catastrophic injuries and damages. You should not have to pay for the losses following an accident that an impaired truck driver caused.
You could have a right to seek compensation for losses such as:
- Medical expenses, including future care needs
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Scarring and disfigurement
You could face other damages beyond those listed here, and they could be recoverable.
Our truck accident attorneys can work to understand all the ways the accident affected your life, including your health, well-being, and career. A lawyer from our team can then seek fair compensation through an insurance claim or lawsuit.
Ensuring You Meet the Statute of Limitations
Working with a lawyer ensures that you adhere to the statute of limitations. According to RCW 4.16.080, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is three years.
If you do not adhere to these limitations, your case will likely be dismissed without any chance of recovering compensation for damages. Our truck accident attorneys in Kent ensure that all of our clients are within the statute of limitations so that they can receive what they deserve.
Do not wait to contact an attorney following your accident. The more quickly the process begins, the more quickly you can recover damages.
Wrongful Death
If your loved one lost their life in an accident with a drunk truck driver, our compassionate attorneys could handle every aspect of a wrongful death lawsuit. Wrongful death occurs when someone’s negligence leads to a fatal injury accident. When this happens, the remaining relatives of the deceased have the right to seek compensation for their losses.
A family’s recoverable damages can include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost future income
- Funeral expenses
- Non-economic damages such as loss of companionship and guidance
Just like with the statute of limitations regarding an injury, wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within three years of your loved one’s passing.
At Herschensohn Law, we have a history of reaching fair compensation for clients who were involved in drunk and drugged trucking accidents. Our biggest settlement in a drunk driving case is $450,000. Our client was in an accident caused by a drunk driver, and they faced a fractured jaw and torn colon. While it took a fight to recover the compensation they deserved, we worked tirelessly for their results.
We have also helped our other personal injury clients to recover six-figure settlements numerous times.
Our truck accident lawyers know how to seek the best possible results for our clients. We fight aggressively for you, which is why we have reached such significant settlements in the past. We believe that you should not be made to suffer after an accident that someone else caused. Call us today at (206) 466-0954 or contact us online to schedule your free case review.
“Very knowledgeable and trustworthy. Zach Herschensohn provided me with excellent service. He kept me well informed and explained complicated issues in a way I could understand. He took the lead and guided me through everything necessary to achieve a successful outcome. Overall, I am very pleased with his service and would highly recommend him to anyone.”
“Herschensohn Law worked by my side for almost four years when I was in an auto accident and were outstanding in everything they did! They went above and beyond to make my lawsuit as easy and stress free as possible for me while consistently showing genuine care for my wellbeing. They even recommended amazing health care professionals for my injuries! Anything/everything I may have been confused/concerned about was addressed/explained so I felt comfortable with each move made in my lawsuit. Professional, courteous and attentive are just a few words I would use to describe this law firm and although I hope to never be in a similar situation again - if I do, Herschensohn Law will be my first call!”
“Zach and his team performed beyond my expectations! I couldn't have had a better firm in my corner!”
“This was such a great experience.”
“Zach will always take time and give you quality advice that you can trust. Highly recommended!”
After an accident, insurance companies begin determining who was at fault and settling on the amount that you should receive for the accident. This means we must work quickly to show who was truly at fault, why, and who bears liability for your damages.
Your lawyer will work to show factual information to prove that the truck driver or the trucking company bears liability. If the other party was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, we could use several sources of evidence to demonstrate liability, including:
- Drug or alcohol test results, such as from a breathalyzer
- Field sobriety test results
- Eyewitness statements
- Citations
- Police report
- Surveillance camera footage
- Photos and videos
We may use other forms of evidence in addition to those listed above.
Once we prove liability, our attention will turn to recovering a fair amount for your damages. Damages that can be recovered include property damage, medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other forms of losses.
An Attorney Can Deal With Any Pushback From an Insurer
Unfortunately, you can deal with unfair treatment from an insurance company, even if you faced an accident with a drunk trucker. Even in the case of a drunk or drugged driving crash, you must prove that the injuries and damage that occurred directly resulted from the accident.
Our attorneys know how to handle any of these common challenges to your case:
- The liable insurer claims that your injuries pre-existed the accident. For instance, if you had a back injury after the crash, they may claim that your back injury resulted from a flare-up of an older back injury from years ago.
- The insurer insists that your damages are low. As a result, the insurance company may offer you a lower settlement than you truly deserve.
- The insurer could argue that you bear some blame for the accident.
If you are unsure about your chances of seeking compensation, speak with someone from our team. We can explain your options if you face lowball offers or denials of your claim.
Driving under the influence can come in a few forms. The most common type of driving under the influence is when a trucker drives their 18-wheeler drunk, but they can also commit a violation while under the influence of illicit drugs. These cases might seem open and shut, but there are benefits to working with an experienced law firm that can help you receive compensation for damages you might not have thought of.
When it comes to drunk or drugged driving in the state of Washington, drivers can be severely punished with both jail time and fines. Driving under the influence is generally considered a gross misdemeanor for first-time offenders in Washington, but those penalties can be enhanced if another party is injured or killed.
Drunk and drugged driving statistics are easily available, and yet people still elect to ignore the warnings that come with such violations. In 2021 alone, there were 5,878 alcohol-involved driving accidents in Washington state, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). Of these accidents, 94 of them were fatal, and 414 involved serious injuries.
As for drugged driving, information from the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) shows that driving under the influence of drugs could be increasing nationally. Fatally injured drivers who had some level of marijuana in their system rose from 25% to 42% between 2007 and 2016.
In other words, both alcohol-impaired and drug-impaired drivers can bring significant dangers to others on the roads. Drunk and drugged driving should be taken very seriously. The violations can lead to serious injuries and even the death of innocent citizens. You could hold a drunk or drugged driver responsible for your crash and injuries.
“Zach will always take time and give you quality advice that you can trust. Highly recommended!”
If you or your loved ones suffered at the hands of a truck driver who was under the influence, you may feel hopeless as you learn to live following the life-changing accident. As you adjust, you should not also be faced with rising bills and other payments that can put you in a financially unstable situation. Because you were not responsible for the accident, the liable party should be held responsible for their dangerous actions while you recover from the incident.
At Herschensohn Law, our mission is to make sure that our clients receive fair treatment, especially when a negligent act causes such drastic harm to their lives. Our top priority is seeing our clients recover optimal compensation in a timely manner. However, we will not settle for less than we think you deserve, even if that means your lawsuit goes to trial. If this happens, we can represent you. When you are ready to seek legal assistance following an accident with a drunk or drugged driver in Kent, contact our team at (206) 588-4344 for a free consultation.
Our results speak for themselves
After a worker was electrocuted on a construction site and suffered life-changing injuries, we fought and won on their behalf.
When a retired man was killed in a truck accident, we made sure his grieving family got fair compensation.
When a defective medical device harmed our client, we fought to ensure they had the financial compensation needed to recover.
Hurt? Let our law firm handle the details
When you request your free consultation, Kent personal injury attorney Zach Herschensohn will listen to you, answer your questions, lay out your legal options, and give you down-to-earth legal advice.
When you work with our law office, there are no obligations, hidden fees, or fine print. It’s that simple.