Whether you’re an experienced driver or newly licensed, you’re unfortunately very vulnerable to accidents when certain factors are in play–none more problematic than driving under the influence. According to a story from KXLY, a 33-year-old man was charged with vehicular homicide and assault after he collided head-on with a car driven by an 18-year-old after crossing the centerline of SR-2 in Spokane County on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) responded to the scene, and a preliminary investigation found that the 33-year-old was driving under the influence in the northbound lane of SR-2 when he crossed into the southbound lane, colliding with the car driven by the 18-year-old, which also had two teenage passengers.
The 18-year-old driver and 17-year-old passenger were pronounced dead at the scene, while the other passenger was flown by helicopter to a local hospital with critical injuries. WSP says that the 33-year-old had minor injuries, and was not taken to a hospital.
How Should You Handle a DUI Accident in Spokane?
Being in any car accident in Spokane is scary, but this is multiplied in cases where the other driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. As the above story shows, it’s often you and your passengers that bear the brunt of the damage in these accidents. It’s actually one of the most frustrating things about a DUI accident: not only are they entirely preventable, but In many cases, the other driver might be confused or unaware that they even caused an accident.
At the same time, you need important information from them to protect your claim. Here’s what you should do:
- Call 911 – First, make sure you and your passengers are okay. If anyone is injured, even slightly, call 911 for medical help. They should also dispatch police to the scene.
- Report the accident to police – Contact local law enforcement (either the Spokane Police Department, WSP, or Spokane County Sheriff’s Office) right away to report the accident. Make sure they document the incident and note if the other driver was under the influence.
- Gather evidence – Collect all medical records related to your injuries, such as emergency visits and treatments. Also, get a copy of the police report for details about the accident and the other driver’s condition.
Again, it can be difficult to get the necessary information you need from a driver that’s under the influence. That’s where you need to lean on the police, as well as our experienced legal team of Spokane DUI accident lawyers. We can make sure you have what you need for a strong claim and that you can recover payment for things like your medical expenses, repair costs, and even wrongful death expenses if the accident was fatal.
CCD Law Helps DUI Accident Victims in Spokane
If you or someone you know has been in a car accident in Spokane caused by a DUI, it’s important to get help from our experienced team at CCD Law. Since 1948, we’ve been helping clients in Spokane by:
- Explaining your legal rights
- Helping you get financial support for your injuries and losses
- Holding those responsible for causing your car accident accountable
Contact us today for a free consultation to get the recovery process started if you’ve been hurt in a DUI accident.
