Washington Injury Attorney Blog

A Kennewick car accident sent one man to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington and another man to jail. Russell David Martin of Post Falls, Idaho has been charged with vehicular assault after he lost control of his car in Kennewick and hit a concrete retaining wall. His passenger, Anthony T. Williams, 42, of Greenacres suffered facial cuts, a broken jaw and lost some teeth in the crash after hitting the windshield. He was taken to Harbor View after first being treated at Kennewick General Hospital. His condition is listed as satisfactory.

Paula Horton, of the Tri City Herald, reports that the accident occurred around 1 a.m. According to the Herald, Martin is suspected of speeding and driving under the influence (DUI).

In Washington State, nearly 700 traffic fatalities last year were attributed to driving under the influence (DUI). All DUI offenses are gross misdemeanors. RCW 9A.20.021, 46.61.502(5) & 46.61.504(5).

If you have been injured by a drunk driver or had a loved one killed, you should contact the car accident attorneys at The Farber Law Group. We have more than 30 years experience in representing people with serious personal injuries due to car accidents. We will investigate whether the drunk driver had previous DUI charges, whether a restaurant or bar served alcohol to an obviously intoxicated person or whether the drunk drier was in the course of their employment.

Contact the car accident attorneys at The Farber Law Group for a free case evaluation.

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Posted In: Car Accidents , Drunk Driving Victims , Motor Vehicle Accidents

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The Seattle Post Intelligencer reports that Chanthea Prak, 21, a soldier stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington was killed in a head-on crash near Roseburg, Oregon. Oregon police reported that Prak was eight months pregnant. The accident occurred around 3:15 a.m. in the southbound lanes of I-5.

Prak was a passenger in a car driven by Andrew Cajita, 21, of San Mateo, California when a car driven by Cheryl Rowe, 40, or Albany, ran into them head-on as Rowe drove the wrong-way on the I-5. Rowe was also killed in the crash and Cajita was critically injured. Cajita was airlifted to Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland. Police said that the car driven by Cajita had swerved to avoid Rowe and the passenger side of Cajita's car received the full impact of the crash.

It is not known whether Rowe was intoxicated or impaired at the time of crash.

In this tragic case, the driver who caused the accident is also deceased. However, Prak's family may still be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The living victim is also entitled to compensation for his serious injuries. With the help of The Farber Law Group, a Washington firm experienced and knowledgeable in handling wrongful death cases, we would thoroughly investigate whether Rowe had illegally been served alcohol when she appeared to be intoxicated, whether she had any previous DUI charges or whether she was in the course of her employment. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

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Posted In: Car Accidents , Drunk Driving Victims , Motor Vehicle Accidents , Wrongful Death

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The Bee reports today that Terry McFie, 56, was struck by while walking by a truck that was exiting a tavern parking lot. The driver of the truck, Gordon Litner, 46, was later booked into jail and charged with one count each of Felony Hit and Run and DUI. The accident occurred near Cleveland High School on S.E. Powell Boulevard in Portland, Oregon. This is the second pedestrian accident on this section of Powell in recent days.

Witnesses said that Litner at first stopped and checked on McFie but then left the scene of the accident. McFie's injuries did not at first appear serious but once he was taken to the hospital at Oregon Health Sciences University, he had to undergo surgery for an undisclosed injury; he is expected to survive.

In Washington State, all DUI offenses are gross misdemeanors. The following codes pertain:
RCW 9A.20.021, 46.61.502(5) & 46.61.504(5).

The Farber Law Group is experienced in representing victims of drunken driving accidents and helping victims recover compensation for the injuries that they have suffered. We thoroughly investigate to determine if the drunk driver had previous DUI charges, whether the tavern or restaurant that served alcohol was guilty of serving to an obviously intoxicated patron (Dram shop claim) and whether the drunk driver was in the course of their employment.

Click here for our Victims of Drunken Driving Resources

If you or a loved one was the victim of a drunk driver, please contact The Farber Law Group to arrange for a free consultation.

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Posted In: Drunk Driving Victims , Pedestrian Accidents

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The Seattle Post Intelligencer reports that a Yelm Man, Thor Aksdal, was arrested after he drove his car the wrong-way on the Interstate-5 near Olympia. The State Patrol said that Aksdal drove his Mercury Mystique north into the southbound lanes, hitting a Chevy Tracker and seriously injuring the driver. The State Patrol arrested Aksdal, who was also injured, for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. The State Patrol closed the I-5 for nearly three hours after the accident.

In Washington State, almost half of all traffic fatalities are caused by drunk drivers. All DUI offenses are gross misdemeanors. RCW 9A.20.021, 46.61.502(5) & 46.61.504(5).

If you have been injured or had a loved one killed due to someone driving while under the influence or alcohol or drugs, you should contact The Farber Law Group. We ill aggressively gather the facts including whether the driver had previous DUI charges, whether a bar or a restaurant illegally served the person or whether the drunk driver was in the course of their employment.

Contact us today for a free case review.

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Posted In: Car Accidents , Drunk Driving Victims , Motor Vehicle Accidents

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Drunk driving accidents leave victims seriously injured, permanently disabled, paralyzed, brain damaged, or dead. Of the nearly 700 traffic fatalities in Washington State last year, almost 45% were alcohol related. In the United States, more than 500,000 people were injured and almost 18,000 killed in alcohol related accidents last year.

As a result of alcohol related accidents, injuries and wrongful deaths, the Washington State Legislature enacted anti-drunk-driving laws that lowered the blood alcohol intoxication standard from 0.10 to 0.08 percent and provided for automatic loss of licenses for drunk drivers. In Washington State, all DUI offenses are gross misdemeanors. RCW 9A.20.021, 46.61.502(5) & 46.61.504(5).

Whether or not the drunk driver, who injured you or a loved one, is punished through the criminal court system, you have a right to compensation for your injuries or for your loved one’s injuries or death.

At The Farber Law Group, we are experienced in representing victims of drunk driving accidents and in helping victims recover compensation for damages they have suffered.

We will aggressively gather the facts, determine all sources of potential liability, and advocate on your behalf.

We investigate to determine:

• whether the drunk driver had any previous DUI charges.

• whether a bar or restaurant continued to serve alcohol to an obviously intoxicated patron who later caused the accident (DRAM Shop Claim).

• whether the drunk driver was in the course of his or her employment.

After a thorough investigation, we aggressively pursue compensation on your behalf.

Injured victims of drunk drivers may be entitled to recover damages for pain and suffering, medical bills, wage losses, as well as other economic losses. This may include future or even permanent losses.

We represent injured victims of drunk drivers on a contingency basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

If you or a loved one was the victim of an accident caused by a drunk driver, please contact us today to arrange for a free consultation.

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Posted In: Drunk Driving Victims , Motor Vehicle Accidents

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KIRO TV reports that a Washington State trooper and two other people were injured when the trooper's car was rear-ended by a person who was taken into custody for driving under the influence. The accident took place in Pierce County.

The trooper had apparently pulled over an 18-year-old woman for suspicion of drunk driving. The trooper had the woman in his patrol car on the shoulder of north-bound Interstate 5. Also in the car, was a state patrol applicant who was in the car for a ride-along. While the patrol car was parked, it was rear-ended by an another apparent drunk driver. The patrolman and his passengers were all taken to the hospital.

According to the Alcohol Alert! citing US Department of Transportation statistics, every year in Washington state, there are approximately 270 alcohol-related fatalities. In Washington State, all DUI offenses are considered gross misdemeanors. Citation:§§ 9A.20.021, 46.61.502(5) & 46.61.504(5).

Many times, drunken driving victims are left seriously injured with severe injuries like paralysis or brain damage.

The Farber Law Group aggressively represents victims of drunken driving accidents. We investigate whether the victims had previous DUI charges or whether a restaurant or bar illegally served the person or whether the drunk driver was in the course of their employment. We aggressively pursue compensation for your damages. Contact us today for a free case consultation.

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Posted In: Car Accidents , Drunk Driving Victims , Motor Vehicle Accidents

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A 23-year-old Tumwater man, Travis Kivela, was arrested by Lacey, Washington police after he allegedly struck a man with his car while he was leaving a party. Police had been called to the party at the 3400 block of Ruddell Loop SE about 2:30 am after they received a call about a fight at a party. While the police were en-route, Kivela allegedly left the party in his Dodge Durango and hit one of the party goers.

Pollice said that six men were in the Kivela's Durango at the time and that they were all intoxicated. Police have not yet received the results of Kivela's blood-alcohol test; the legal limit for driving in Washington State is no higher than 0.08 percent.

The man who was hit by the Durango was taken to Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia where he was treated for facial injuries and then released. according to The Olympian.

If you have been seriously injured in an automobile accident or if you were the victim of a drunk driver, please contact The Farber Law Group today to arrange for a free consultation.

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Posted In: Drunk Driving Victims , Motor Vehicle Accidents

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