Seattle Attorney Chris Davis has announced that his office recently settled a drunk driving auto accident case for $350,000.
Free Books

Super Lawyers
Seriously Outstanding
only 5% selected each year

Washington Accident Law News

PRESS RELEASE: Drunk driving auto accident case settles for $350,000.


Posted on Jan 12, 2008

For Immediate Release
January 12, 2008

SEATTLE, WA - Seattle Attorney Chris Davis of the personal injury law firm Davis Law Group, P.S., has announced that his office recently settled a drunk driving auto accident case that occurred in Redmond, Washington back in January 2005.  The drunk driver* has agreed to a settlement of $350,000 for personal injuries inflicted on Mr. Davis' client.*

The accident occurred when the drunk driver was returning home after consuming drinks at the Lucky 7 tavern located in Kirkland, Washington.  The drunk driver admitted to consuming at least 4 drinks but possibly 5 over a 2 hour period.  The drunk driver lost control of his vehicle and then crossed into the oncoming lane where he struck a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction.  Mr. Davis' client, a 25 year-old man, was driving this vehicle.  Witnesses reported that the drunk driver was traveling as fast as 50-60 mph in a 25 mph zone. 

The Redmond Police Department responded to the scene.  Police officers could immediately determine that the driver was impaired.  He was arrested at the scene.  Later the driver blew a 0.159 BAC (breath-alcohol content).  The legal limit is 0.08 BAC.

Mr. Davis' client complained of neck and back pain.  He also hit his head in the collision and lost consciousness for several seconds upon impact.  The victim had persistent low back pain which ultimately led to surgery.  A lumbar MRI showed three herniated discs in the victim's low back.  Mr. Davis' client incurred approximately $35,000 for medical treatment related to his low back.

The drunk driver's insurance company Progressive Insurance Company refused to tender the drunk driver's insurance policy limits of $250,000 to settle the case when asked by Mr. Davis early on in the case.

Rather than risk an "excess verdict" at trial (i.e., a verdict that exceeds the amount of insurance available), the drunk driver agreed to confess judgment against him in the amount of $350,000.  The drunk driver also agreed to assign his rights and remedies against his own insurance company to Mr. Davis' client.  

Mr. Davis has indicated he will begin proceedings to collect the entire $350,000 judgment amount against the drunk driver's insurance company.  The drunk driver's insurance company may have violated the law by failing to protect its own insured when it refused to settle the case for policy limits. 

Mr. Davis has suggested that Progressive Insurance Company may have violated the recently enacted Insurance Fair Conduct Act (formerly known as Referendum 67) by engaging in "unreasonable" conduct harmful to its own insured.  The Act allows treble damages at the discretion of the court as well as attorney fees.  The Insurance Fair Conduct Act was approved by Washington State votes last November.

*Certain names have been withheld to protect the privacy of individuals involved.

back to top


Bookmark and Share

Free Consultation

Contact us today for a free, no obligation consultation about your personal injury legal needs.

Name:

Phone:

Email:

Tell us more:


Seattle - Headquarters
2101 Fourth Avenue, Suite 630
Seattle, WA 98121
Phone: 206-727-4000
Fax: 206-727-4001
Toll Free: 1-800-4-Accident

Personal Injury Attorneys & Car Accident Lawyers

Get Directions

Bellevue - Meetings Only
11061 NE 2nd Street
Suite 250
Bellevue, WA 98004
Phone: 425-298-3104
Toll Free: 1-800-4-Accident

By Appointment Only - No Mail or Legal Messenger

Get Directions

Renton/Tukwila - Meetings Only
14900 Interurban Avenue South
Tukwila, WA 98168
Phone: 425-298-3104
Toll Free: 1-800-4-Accident

By Appointment Only - No Mail or Legal Messenger

Get Directions

Central Washington - Meetings Only
Wenatchee, WA 98801
Phone: 509-731-3104
Toll Free: 1-800-4-Accident

By Appointment Only - No Mail or Legal Messenger

Get Directions

Mercer Island - Meetings Only
2955 80th Ave SE
Mercer Island, WA 98040
Phone: 425-298-3104
Toll Free: 1-800-4-Accident

By Appointment Only - No Mail or Legal Messenger

Get Directions

Your information is confidential and is not used or sold for marketing purposes. We accept no duty and no representation without a written contract setting forth terms of representation.

Offices

Seattle
2101 Fourth Avenue
Suite 630
Seattle, WA 98121
Phone: (206) 727-4000
Fax: 206-727-4001

Bellevue
11061 NE 2nd Street
Suite 250
Bellevue, WA 98004
Phone: 425-298-3104
(Appointment Only)

Renton/Tukwila
14900 Interurban Avenue South
Tukwila, WA 98168
Phone: 425-298-3104
(Appointment Only)

Mercer Island
2955 80th Ave SE
Mercer Island, WA 98040
Phone: 425-298-3104
(Appointment Only)

Central Washington
Wenatchee, WA 98801
Phone: 509-731-3104
(Appointment Only)

Toll Free: 1-800-4-Accident

Videos

Car Accidents:

Motorcycle Accidents:

Insurance Coverage Disputes & Bad Faith Claims:

Head Injuries & Brain Damage:

Back & Spinal Cord Injuries:

Medical Malpractice, Surgery Errors & Hospital Injuries:

Dog Bites & Animal Attacks:

Wrongful Death:

Drunk Driving (DUI) Collisions:

Injuries to Minors & Children:

General:

View All

FAQs

Car Accidents

Motorcycle Accidents

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Pedestrian, Crosswalk, Bicycle Accidents

Wrongful Death

Drunk Driving (DUI) Collisions

Injuries to Minors & Children

Bus, Shuttle, Taxi & Mass Transit Accidents

Insurance Coverage Disputes & Bad Faith Claims

Boating & Personal Watercraft Accidents

Head Injuries & Brain Damage

Back & Spinal Cord Injuries

Medical Malpractice, Surgery Errors & Hospital Injuries

Dog Bites & Animal Attacks

General

View All