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Federal Way DUI Accident Lawyer

A crash caused by an impaired driver can change your life in a moment: physical injuries, mounting medical bills, missed work, and the stress of dealing with insurers. If alcohol or drugs contributed to your collision in Federal Way, you have the right to pursue accountability and full compensation through the civil justice system, separate from whatever happens in the criminal case.

Brumley Law Firm is a personal injury firm that represents people injured by drunk and drugged drivers across King County and Washington State. We are not DUI defense lawyers. We stand on the side of the victim. Our Federal Way personal injury attorneys explain your rights, protect your claim, and pursue every source of compensation available. Call (833) 740-2275  for a free consultation.

Why Hire Brumley Law Firm for Your DUI Accident Case

  • We know the insurance playbook from the inside. Founder Joshua Brumley began his career on the insurance-defense side, so we anticipate the tactics carriers use to reduce these claims.
  • A proven track record. Our firm resolved more than 300 cases in the past year, pursuing the full compensation the facts and law allow.
  • We pursue every defendant. In a DUI case that often means more than the driver, and finding the additional party is frequently what increases the recovery.
  • No fees unless we win. We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing up front and nothing in attorney’s fees unless we recover for you.

Meet Federal Way DUI Accident Attorney Joshua Brumley

Joshua Brumley is the founder and lead attorney of Brumley Law Firm. He began his career on the insurance-defense side, which gives him firsthand insight into how insurers assess and fight injury claims. He now uses that experience to represent people hurt by impaired drivers across Washington.

Joshua has been recognized as a Super Lawyers “Rising Star” for four consecutive years (2020 through 2023) and has received the Avvo Clients’ Choice Award. He is a University of Washington graduate, holds an MBA, and has served as a pro-tem judge. You can review his credentials on his attorney bio page or verify his license through the Washington State Bar Association. Brumley Law Firm was also ranked No. 292 on the 2026 Inc. 5000, placing it among the top 6% of companies on the list.

Why a DUI Accident Case Is Different

A drunk driving case is not just another car accident. Three things set it apart, and each one can strengthen your claim or add compensation.

Drunk Driving Is Negligence Per Se in Washington

In most Washington injury cases, breaking a traffic law is only treated as evidence of negligence. Driving under the influence is a rare exception. Under RCW 5.40.050, a violation of the DUI law counts as negligence per se, meaning the impaired driver’s conduct is treated as negligent as a matter of law. That can make proving liability more direct in a DUI case than in an ordinary crash.

You May Be Able to Sue the Bar That Over-Served the Driver

Washington’s dram shop law can extend liability beyond the driver. Under RCW 66.44.200, a commercial establishment such as a bar, restaurant, or tavern that served alcohol to a patron who was “apparently under the influence,” or served a minor, can be held liable to the people that patron later injures. That matters because it can open a second source of recovery and a second insurance policy beyond the driver’s coverage. You can learn more on our Washington dram shop laws page. This evidence, including receipts and video, can disappear quickly, so acting fast is important.

The Criminal Case and Your Civil Claim Are Separate

If the driver faces criminal DUI charges, that case is handled by a prosecutor and can result in penalties and restitution. Your civil injury claim is separate. A few points to understand:

  • You do not need a criminal conviction to win your civil claim.
  • A DUI conviction can strengthen your civil case.
  • Criminal restitution is usually far smaller than the full compensation available in a civil claim.

Our role is to pursue your civil recovery while you focus on healing.

Washington DUI Law and BAC Limits

Under RCW 46.61.502, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher, or while affected by alcohol, cannabis, or other drugs. Lower limits apply to some drivers: 0.04 percent for commercial drivers and 0.02 percent for drivers under 21. A driver can be impaired and liable even below these limits.

How a Federal Way DUI Accident Attorney Can Help

  • Managing communications with insurers and opposing parties
  • Coordinating the investigation, from police reports and body-cam footage to witness statements and crash reconstruction
  • Preserving and analyzing key evidence, including BAC data, field sobriety documentation, and toxicology
  • Identifying every source of compensation, including the driver’s policy, your underinsured motorist coverage, and any over-serving establishment
  • Working with medical, economic, and collision experts
  • Preparing a demand package that documents medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and future needs
  • Litigating in King County Superior Court when negotiation does not produce a fair settlement

Common Types of DUI Accident Cases We Handle

Impaired-driving crashes happen throughout Federal Way. We regularly handle:

  • Rear-end and intersection crashes
  • Head-on and wrong-way collisions
  • Pedestrian and bicycle crashes near crosswalks and transit stops
  • Motorcycle crashes involving impaired drivers
  • Multi-vehicle pileups with disputed fault
  • Catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases

Where DUI Crashes Happen in Federal Way

Federal Way sits in South King County along some of the region’s busiest routes. I-5 runs through the city, and SR 99 (Pacific Highway South, also called International Boulevard), SR 161 (Enchanted Parkway), and SR 18 carry heavy traffic day and night, including the late-night hours when impaired driving is most common.

Seriously injured crash victims in Federal Way are often treated at St. Francis Hospital, with the most severe cases transferred to a Level I trauma center in Seattle. A Federal Way injury lawsuit is filed in King County Superior Court, and cases from South King County are frequently heard at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.

Impaired Driving in Washington: The Numbers

  • Impaired driving was a factor in roughly 45 percent of Washington’s traffic deaths in 2025, about 297 people, according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
  • The WTSC identifies impairment as one of the four behaviors behind most traffic deaths, along with speeding, distraction, and not wearing a seat belt.
  • Washington recorded 659 traffic deaths in 2025 overall, down from a 33-year high of 809 in 2023.

Compensation You Can Recover in a DUI Accident Case

Depending on your case, recoverable compensation may include:

  • Medical expenses, including emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, assistive devices, and future treatment
  • Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
  • Property damage to your vehicle and personal items
  • Out-of-pocket costs for transportation, home modifications, or caregiving

One honest note on damages: Washington does not award punitive damages in injury cases, so you will not see a separate “punishment” award against the drunk driver. What the driver’s impairment does is strengthen your claim through negligence per se and, in many cases, open the additional recovery available through dram shop liability.

Washington’s Comparative Fault Rule

Washington follows pure comparative negligence. If more than one party contributed to the crash, each is assigned a percentage of fault, and your recovery is reduced by your share. You can still recover even if you were partly responsible. Insurers often try to overstate your fault, and we build the record to push back.

The Deadline to File in Washington

In most Washington personal injury cases, you have three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit, under RCW 4.16.080. Shorter deadlines can apply to claims against government entities, and different rules apply for minors. Acting early protects both your deadline and the evidence, including dram shop evidence that can be lost quickly.

What Is the Process for a DUI Accident Claim?

  1. Get medical care. Seek treatment right away, even if symptoms seem minor, and keep records.
  2. Consult a lawyer. Schedule a free consultation to review the facts, coverage, and deadlines.
  3. Investigation. We gather police reports, 911 audio, BAC and toxicology data, scene photos, video, and witness statements.
  4. Insurance communications. We notify the insurers and manage adjuster contact so you are protected.
  5. Demand and negotiation. Once your condition and future care are understood, we submit a detailed demand and negotiate.
  6. Filing suit when needed. If the offer is not fair, we file and prepare for discovery, mediation, and trial.
  7. Resolution. We coordinate liens and healthcare reimbursements and make sure funds are distributed properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue the bar or restaurant that over-served the drunk driver?
 Possibly. Under Washington’s dram shop law (RCW 66.44.200), a commercial establishment that served alcohol to a patron who was apparently intoxicated, or served a minor, can be liable to people that patron later injures. That can add a second source of compensation beyond the driver.

Does Washington allow punitive damages against a drunk driver?
 No. Washington does not award punitive damages in injury cases. However, the driver’s impairment can still strengthen your claim through negligence per se and, through dram shop liability, can add another liable party.

Do I have to wait for the criminal DUI case to finish?
 No. Your civil injury claim is separate and can proceed on its own. You do not need a conviction to recover, though a conviction can help your civil case.

What if the impaired driver was uninsured or underinsured?
We evaluate your uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, any over-serving establishment, and any other party who may share responsibility.

How long do I have to file a DUI accident claim in Federal Way?
 Generally three years from the date of the crash, under RCW 4.16.080, though shorter deadlines can apply to claims against government entities. It is best to act early.

How much does a Federal Way DUI accident lawyer cost?
 Brumley Law Firm works on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing up front and nothing in attorney’s fees unless we win. The consultation is free.

Contact a Federal Way DUI Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one was injured by an impaired driver, Brumley Law Firm is ready to listen and explain your options. Call (833) 740-2275  or request a free case evaluation. There is no cost to start, and no fee unless we win.

Federal Way Practice Areas

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