A quiet evening drive in Kent or Puyallup is shattered forever when someone makes the reckless decision to drive while intoxicated. If you are facing physical pain and mounting costs because of an impaired driver, securing a Washington State drunk driving attorney is a vital step toward holding that person accountable.
Accountability means making sure the person who caused the harm is the one who pays for recovery. Since 1893, our firm has been a steady presence for residents across Washington State, offering a bridge between the chaos of a crash and the stability of a fair settlement.
When you choose us, the weight of the legal process shifts from your shoulders to ours. We tell our clients, We’ll take it from here! so they can focus entirely on their health and their families.
Why Choose Jacobs & Jacobs for Your Washington State Case
Selecting a Washington State drunk driving attorney involves finding a team that understands both the local community and the specific laws that protect you. At Jacobs & Jacobs, our heritage is built on over 130 years of service in the Puget Sound area. B.F. Jacobs founded our firm in 1893, and today, Tom Jacobs carries that legacy forward with 40 years of personal experience.
With a team of over 50 dedicated members, we have the resources of a large firm but the compassionate touch of a family business. We are deeply tied to Pierce County, King County, and Thurston County, and we treat every person who walks through our doors like a neighbor.
- We provide advocacy that focuses on your recovery, handling every legal detail from start to finish.
- Our mobile appointment options mean we come to you if your injuries make it difficult to visit us in Kent or Puyallup.
- We offer services in both English and Spanish to ensure clear communication for everyone in our community.
Your Rights Under Washington Law
When we represent you after a crash caused by an impaired driver, we look at specific state laws to build your case. Washington uses a system known as pure Comparative Fault.
This law, found in RCW 4.22.005, means that you can still seek money for your injuries even if you were partially responsible for the accident. Your final recovery is reduced by your percentage of the fault.
We ensure that the driver who chose to drink is the one held responsible for their actions.
- Statute of Limitations: Per RCW 4.16.080, you generally have three years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit.
- Mandatory Insurance: Washington requires all drivers to carry liability insurance to pay for the harm they cause others.
- Dram Shop Laws: These laws may allow us to hold a business accountable if they served alcohol to someone who was clearly intoxicated before they hit you.
Knowing these laws is a major part of what a Washington State drunk driving attorney does for you. We track every deadline and ensure that all possible sources of recovery, including the driver’s insurance and perhaps your own Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage, are used to support your health. These legal protections are designed to help you rebuild your life after a serious event.
How Injuries Impact Your Recovery
Drunk driving crashes are often high-impact, resulting in serious physical harm that requires long-term care. When we discuss injuries such as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or severe burns, we do so to explain how they change the value of your personal injury claim.
A TBI happens when a sudden jolt or blow to the head disrupts the way the brain works. This can lead to lasting issues with memory, physical movement, and even personality.
Documentation is the key to proving how these injuries have changed your daily life. Documentation refers to the collection of medical reports, doctors’ notes, and bills that show the extent of your harm. We gather all these records for you, working with your medical providers to understand the full cost of your future care needs.
- TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury): A serious injury caused by a strike to the head that can have life-long effects.
- Catastrophic Injuries: Injuries that cause permanent disability, such as spinal cord damage or internal organ harm.
- Scarring and Burns: Physical harm that can require expensive surgeries and can cause permanent changes to your appearance.
Focusing on these specific details, we can show the insurance company exactly what you have lost. We do not just look at the bills you have now; we look at the care you will need six months or six years from today.
This thorough approach ensures that the settlement we seek is fair and covers the full scope of the drunk driving accident.
Taking Action After You Are Home
Once you have received your initial medical treatment and returned home, there are simple steps you can take to help us build your case. While we handle the legal work, these actions at home help preserve evidence that can be vital later on. We encourage you to start this process as soon as you feel physically able to do so.
First, keep a simple record of your recovery. A journal where you write down your pain levels and any activities you can no longer do is very helpful. Also, take high-quality photos of your injuries as they heal.
Photos provide a clear, visual record of the physical harm you have suffered, which can be much more impactful than a written report alone.
- Save all your medical paperwork, including discharge instructions and lists of medications.
- Keep the clothes you were wearing during the crash in a safe place and do not wash them.
- Make a list of anyone you remember seeing at the scene of the accident who might be a witness.
Staying organized, you help us move your claim forward with confidence. If you have questions about what to keep, you can always contact our team in Kent or Puyallup. We are here to provide answers and support so that you never feel like you are handling these details on your own.
Deep Roots in the Puget Sound
We are proud of our 130-year history of serving the state of Washington since 1893. Our firm is a local institution, and we take our responsibility to our neighbors seriously. Whether your accident happened near the state capitol in Olympia, along a busy road in Kent, or in a quiet neighborhood in Puyallup, we know the area.
We understand the local roads, the local courts, and the local people because we live and work here too. Our team of over 50 members is large enough to take on even the most complex cases but small enough to maintain the family values that B.F. Jacobs established over a century ago.
We believe that local experience makes a difference in the quality of advocacy we provide. We are committed to making our community safer by holding impaired drivers accountable for their choices.
- Primary Office in Kent: Serving residents across King County with compassion.
- Primary Office in Puyallup: A long-standing part of the Pierce County community.
- Satellite Office in Olympia: Providing support and legal guidance in Thurston County.
When you work with a Washington State drunk driving attorney from our firm, you are working with a neighbor who truly cares about your recovery. We are here to help you through every step of the process, from the initial consultation to the final settlement. Our goal is to provide the stability and legal knowledge you need to focus on what matters most: your health.
FAQs
Can I still file a claim if the driver was not charged with a DUI?
Yes, you can. A criminal case is separate from a civil personal injury claim. Even if the police did not make an arrest or the driver was not convicted, we can still use evidence like witness statements and accident reports to show that the driver was negligent. In a civil claim, we only need to show that it is more likely than not that the driver’s impairment caused the accident.
What if the drunk driver had no insurance?
If you are hit by a driver who does not have insurance, we look at your own insurance policy to see if you have Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. In Washington State, insurance companies are required to offer this coverage to you. It is designed to act as the other driver’s insurance and pay for your damages in this exact situation. We help you explore every available source of recovery.
How does pure comparative fault affect my case?
This rule means that even if you were 20% at fault for the crash—for example, if you were speeding slightly—you can still recover 80% of your damages from the drunk driver. The law is designed to be fair, ensuring that the person who caused the most harm is still held responsible for their share of the accident. We work to ensure that fault is assigned correctly and that you are treated fairly.
Who is responsible if a drunk driver hit me in a company vehicle?
If a person was driving a company car while intoxicated and hit you, the company that owns the vehicle may also be held liable. This is often based on a legal theory called “vicarious liability,” which means an employer is responsible for the actions of their employees while they are working. A car accident lawyer can investigate the driver’s employment status to determine whether additional parties should be held accountable and pursue all available sources of compensation.
Can I recover money for my lost wages?
Yes, lost wages are a common part of the damages we seek in a personal injury claim. If your injuries prevent you from going to work, we gather your pay stubs and tax records to show the income you have lost. If you cannot return to the same job in the future, we also look at your loss of future earning capacity to ensure you have the support you need.
How long do I have to decide if I want to hire an attorney?
While you generally have three years to file a lawsuit, it is better to speak with a Washington State drunk driving attorney as soon as possible. Evidence like security camera footage from local businesses or skid marks on the road can disappear quickly. Starting early allows us to preserve this evidence and build the strongest possible case for your recovery.
We’ll Take It From Here
If you are ready to seek accountability after a drunk driving accident, our team is here to help. We understand that this is a stressful time, and our goal is to make the legal process as smooth as possible for you.
We provide free initial consultations and offer a variety of ways to meet, including in-person at our Kent or Puyallup offices, by phone, or through Zoom. Let us handle the insurance adjusters and legal filings, so you can focus on your physical recovery.
Injured? Get the Compensation You Deserve!
Don’t let insurance companies undervalue your claim. Our experienced injury attorneys fight for your maximum compensation—so you can focus on healing. No fees unless we win!
Schedule A Free ConsultationContact Jacobs & Jacobs Today
When you work with a Washington State drunk driving attorney from our firm, you are gaining a partner with a 130-year history of success. We are committed to delivering compassionate advocacy and transparent communication to our neighbors in the Puget Sound.
Contact us today to discuss your case and learn how we can help you get your life back on track. We are ready to listen to your story and start working for you. We’ll take it from here!