Generally under Washington personal injury law there is no per se (i.e. “automatic”) negligence.[1] Personal injury as a result of driving under the influence is an exception.[2]
Driving under the influence must be the proximate cause of the injury for per se negligence to apply.[3]
This article is not a substitute for legal advice. If you have suffered an injury as a result of someone who was driving while impaired you should consult with a personal injury attorney.
[1] Goucher v. J.R. Simplot Co., 104 Wn.2d 662, 709 P.2d 774(1985).
[3] Ward v. Zeugner, 64 Wn.2d 570, 392 P.2d 811 (1964); Christen v. Lee, 113 Wn.2d 479, 780 P.2d 1307(1989).