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On July 17th, 2003 at 1 a.m. while working a vehicle accident, I was struck by a drunk driver. I lost everything I had. My wife left, as 1 year of watching me have seizures and not get better was too much for her. More

Drunk Driving News

Drunk Driving Fatalities Drop to Lowest Rate since 1950

The U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced that U.S. fatalities due to drunk driving fell to a record low number in 2009, declining by 7.4% from 2008, with a 19% decrease since 2000. This represents the lowest number since 1950. More

Drug and Alcohol Courts: An Effective Alternative to Jail

Drug courts were developed in the 1980's in an effort to stop the abuse of alcohol and other drugs, and to reduce the criminal activity that typically accompanies these behaviors. More

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Hold Drunk Drivers Responsible

The Tavern

Washington State taverns that serve alcohol to apparently intoxicated patrons are responsible for the actions of those patrons. Taverns are also responsible for injuries caused by minors who are illegally served alcohol. Since proof of these violations must come from witnesses on the scene, it is crucial to begin the investigation of any claim against a tavern immediately. Locating and interviewing witnesses present in a bar or tavern long after an accident can be extremely difficult.

Washington State taverns which serve alcohol to apparently intoxicated patrons are responsible for the actions of those patrons. The tavern can be anywhere in Washington, including the cities of Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, and Bellingham, or any of the state's other cities and towns. Whether the tavern patron was “apparently intoxicated” must be based on testimony of a witness present when the intoxicated patron was being served. If a witness testifies that a patron was served while apparently intoxicated, then a court will also consider the results of any blood or breath test obtained by law enforcement as part of a criminal investigation. However, courts will not permit a jury to consider blood or breath test results, no matter how high, if there is not witness testimony that the patron was apparently intoxicated while served. Consequently, it is crucial to begin the investigation of any claim against a drunk driver immediately. Locating and interviewing witnesses present in a bar or tavern long after an accident can be extremely difficult. Without a witness who observed the patron at the time of service, the blood or breath test result is not admissible in court, and recovering against the tavern becomes much more difficult. Investigation must be immediate.

Taverns are also responsible for any injuries caused by a minor patron who was illegally served alcohol and may be responsible for any injuries to the minor patron as well. Responsibility for serving alcohol to a minor is straightforward. The minor need not appear intoxicated. The simple act of service to a minor and the subsequent injury to a third party is sufficient for recovery against the tavern. The tavern may, in some cases, also be responsible for any injuries to the minor patron. A jury will be permitted to consider the negligence of the tavern in providing alcohol to the minor as well as the minor’s own negligence in determining a fair apportionment of damages.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an alcohol or drug-related traffic accident, call the experienced attorneys at Brett & Coats today. We want bars and taverns to pay for the injuries and devastation that they cause by sending intoxicated drivers onto our highways. Only by making bars and taverns accountable for their actions will future victims be spared.

Call the attorneys at Brett & Coats, PLLC today at 1-800-925-1875, 360-714-0900, or contact us via our Website using our online form. Brett & Coats represents drunk driving victims throughout the state of Washington, including the cities of Seattle, Tacoma, Everett and Bellingham, WA.

According to the Washington State Patrol, almost 1,000 people arrested for DUI last year came from one of 25 bars or taverns that chronically over-served their patrons. Let's shut them down.

(800) 925-1875 (360) 714-0900

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