Southfield Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

When a drunk driver has left you injured and unsure what to do next, you shouldn’t have to fight the insurance company alone.

Goodman Acker’s Southfield drunk driving accident lawyers handle DUI crash claims throughout Southfield and Oakland County, including serious injury, wrongful death, and cases that may involve bar or restaurant liability under Michigan law.

Call 248‑286‑8100 or message our Southfield personal injury law firm online for a free case review with our experienced attorneys.

Do I Need a Lawyer After a Drunk Driving Accident in Southfield?

You may need a lawyer after a drunk driving accident in Southfield because these cases can quickly become complicated.

A Southfield DUI accident lawyer can protect the value of the case, identify every available source of recovery, and keep the insurance company from reducing the claim to a quick payout.

To learn more about how the experienced legal professionals at Goodman Acker, PC can help, schedule a free case review today.

How Our Southfield Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Help

Our Southfield drunk driving accident lawyers handle the legal side of the claim so you can focus on treatment, work, and your family. Contact our Michigan personal injury law firm to learn how we can help with:

• Obtaining the police report, witness statements, and available crash evidence.
• Reviewing whether the impaired driver faces OWI or related charges under Michigan law.
• Identifying insurance coverage, including no-fault, liability, and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage where applicable.
• Evaluating whether a bar, restaurant, or other alcohol seller may have liability under Michigan’s Dram Shop Act, MCL 436.1801.
• Documenting medical losses, wage loss, pain and suffering, and future damages.

Call 248-286-8100 to talk with a Southfield drunk driving injury lawyer about your next step.

Can I Sue a Drunk Driver in Michigan?

Yes, you may be able to bring a claim against a drunk driver in Michigan if the crash caused serious injury, wrongful death, or damages that go beyond no-fault benefits.

Whether you can pursue a third-party case depends on the injuries, the available evidence, and how Michigan’s motor vehicle injury rules apply to the facts of your case.

In many cases, the drunk driver’s intoxication is powerful evidence of negligence. However, the claim still has to be built carefully. The case usually turns on proving how the impaired driving caused the crash, what injuries resulted, and what damages are legally recoverable.

What Compensation May Be Available After a DUI Crash in Southfield, MI?

Compensation after a Southfield drunk driving accident may include no-fault benefits, pain and suffering damages, excess wage loss, medical losses not otherwise covered, and wrongful death damages in fatal cases.

The amount and type of recovery depend on the injuries, the insurance coverage, and whether additional defendants may be responsible.

Our Southfield DUI accident injury attorneys can help you fight for compensation that may include:

• Medical expenses and ongoing care costs.
• Lost wages and lost earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering damages in a qualifying third-party claim.
• Property damage and related out-of-pocket losses.
• Wrongful death damages for surviving family members when a loved one is killed.

The Southfield drunk driving accident lawyers at Goodman Acker work to identify every type of compensation available in your situation, document those losses clearly, and present a claim that reflects what this crash has truly cost you.

What Laws Affect a Southfield Drunk Driving Accident Claim?

Several Michigan laws can shape the outcome of a drunk driving accident case, including impaired-driving laws, no-fault rules, and dram shop liability standards.

These laws matter because they affect how fault is proven, who may be liable, and what compensation may be available.

Important legal issues can include:

• Michigan’s OWI and high-BAC rules, which criminally address impaired driving and may help frame the civil claim.
• Michigan no-fault insurance rules, which affect first-party benefits after the crash.
• The Michigan Dram Shop Act, MCL 436.1801, which may allow a claim against an alcohol seller in certain cases involving a visibly intoxicated person or a minor.

Deadlines and legal rules can change, and they can affect your ability to bring a claim. Our Southfield drunk driving accident lawyers can review the timing rules that apply to your situation, explain how they may affect your case, and help you take action before important deadlines pass.

Why Choose Goodman Acker for Your Southfield Drunk Driving Accident Case?

When you hire Goodman Acker, you get a Southfield team that understands Michigan injury claims, knows how to build a strong case, and is ready to help you move forward after a drunk driving crash.

Built for Injury Cases

Goodman Acker has represented injured people in Michigan since 1993. That long-standing focus on personal injury matters gives the firm a strong foundation for handling serious drunk driving accident claims.

Local Office in Southfield

Our office is in Southfield at Two Towne Square, Suite 444. That local presence makes it easier for clients in Southfield and across Oakland County to get direct support close to home.

Proven Results in Serious Cases

Goodman Acker has obtained major results in motor vehicle injury cases, including multi-million-dollar recoveries. While every case is different, that record shows the firm has handled high-value and high-stakes claims.

Recognized Leadership

Michigan Super Lawyers has recognized founding partner Barry Goodman, National Trial Lawyers Top 100, and Michigan Lawyers Weekly. Those honors reflect years of work in personal injury litigation and advocacy.

No Fee Unless We Recover for You

Goodman Acker handles injury cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you do not pay attorney fees up front.

Where Do DUI Accidents Happen Most Often in Southfield?

Drunk driving crashes in Southfield often happen on major roads, busy intersections, and freeway access points where traffic stays heavy late into the day.

Major Local Roads

DUI accidents may occur along Telegraph Road, Northwestern Highway, and Southfield Road, where fast-moving traffic and frequent lane changes can increase the risk of serious collisions.

Freeway Entrances and Exits

Crash risks can also rise around access points for M-10, I-696, and nearby connector routes. When impaired drivers enter or leave freeways, reduced reaction time and poor judgment can quickly lead to high-speed impacts.

Busy Commercial Areas

Some alcohol-related crashes happen near shopping centers, restaurants, bars, and other high-traffic business areas in and around Southfield. These locations can matter when the case calls for a closer look at the driver’s whereabouts before the crash.

Why Location Matters

The crash location can help show how the collision happened, what road conditions were involved, and whether other evidence may be available. Our Southfield drunk driving accident lawyers look closely at where the wreck occurred so we can build a stronger claim from the start.

When Can I File a Drunk Driving Accident Claim in Michigan?

Many Michigan injury lawsuits, including many drunk driving accident cases, generally need to be filed within three years of the crash under Michigan’s general personal injury statute of limitations, often referenced as MCL 600.5805. 

That timeline can be shorter or different for related issues, such as certain no-fault benefit disputes or claims involving an alcohol provider.

Because drunk driving cases may also involve notice requirements and other time-sensitive steps, waiting can make it harder to gather key evidence, such as videos, bar receipts, and witness statements. 

Our Southfield drunk driving accident lawyers can review the dates in your case, explain how the timing rules may apply, and help you move forward before important deadlines pass.

Types of Drunk Driving Accident Cases We Handle in Southfield, MI

Our Southfield drunk driving accident lawyers handle a wide range of alcohol-related crash cases, from serious injury collisions to fatal wrecks involving multiple potentially liable parties.

These cases may include:

• Rear-end collisions caused by impaired reaction time, where a drunk driver fails to slow or stop in time and slams into the vehicle ahead.
• Head-on and intersection crashes caused by wrong-way driving or failing to yield at lights and stop signs while under the influence.
• Pedestrian and bicycle collisions involving intoxicated drivers who do not see or properly judge the position of people crossing or riding near the roadway.
• Passenger injury claims where someone is hurt while riding with a drunk driver or in another vehicle struck by an impaired motorist.
• Wrongful death claims arising from fatal DUI crashes, where surviving family members pursue compensation for the loss of a loved one.

In each of these situations, our role is to determine how the crash occurred, identify all parties who may share responsibility, and pursue the full compensation available under Michigan law.

What Should I Do Next if I Was Hit by a Drunk Driver?

The most important things you can do now are to take care of your health, protect your rights, and avoid mistakes that could weaken your claim.

• Get medical care right away, even if you feel “okay” at first, and follow your doctor’s instructions so your injuries are clearly documented.
• Save evidence from the scene, including photos, videos, names, and contact details for witnesses, and any information you have about the drunk driver.
• Keep paperwork and records, such as police reports, medical bills, repair estimates, and letters or emails from insurance companies.
• Be careful with insurance statements; report the basic facts, but avoid detailed recorded statements or signing forms until you understand how they may affect your claim.
• Reach out to a Southfield drunk driving accident lawyer as soon as you can so you can review your options before deadlines pass or key evidence is lost.

Taking these steps early helps your lawyers build a stronger claim and puts you in a better position to pursue the compensation you may be entitled to under Michigan law.

Southfield Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers FAQ

Will my drunk driving accident claim go to court?

Many claims are resolved through insurance negotiations, but some proceed to litigation if liability or damages are disputed. Your attorney can discuss whether your case is likely to settle or may need to be prepared for court.

What if I was a passenger in the drunk driver’s vehicle?

You may still be able to pursue a claim, even if you were riding with the impaired driver. A lawyer can review available insurance coverage and explain how your relationship to the driver may affect the claim.

Can I bring a claim if I was partly at fault?

In some Michigan cases, you may still recover compensation even if you share some responsibility for the crash, although your recovery could be reduced. It is important not to assume you have no case until a lawyer has reviewed the facts.

Will a drunk driving conviction automatically prove my civil case?

A criminal OWI or related conviction can be strong evidence, but it is not the only factor that matters. The civil claim still requires proof of how the crash happened, what injuries you suffered, and what losses you have.

How quickly should I contact a lawyer after a DUI crash?

It is usually better to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after receiving medical care. Early involvement can help protect evidence, manage insurance communication, and keep you ahead of key deadlines.

Contact Our Southfield Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

Michigan DUI accident injury cases can be a lot more complicated than a “normal” car wreck. Having a Southfield drunk driving accident lawyer looking out for you from the start can make a real difference in how your claim is handled and how your story is told.

When you reach out to Goodman Acker, our team will talk with you about how the crash happened, what has changed in your life since then, and what a claim may realistically cover in your situation. 

We move quickly to protect your rights, answer your questions, and start building a path forward so you are not trying to manage this on your own.

Our Southfield office is at Two Towne Square, Suite 444, Southfield, Michigan 48076. Call 248‑286‑8100 or contact us online to schedule a free case review with a Southfield drunk driving accident lawyer.

LEGALLY REVIEWED BY BARRY J. GOODMAN

Barry J. Goodman has devoted his professional life to keeping courthouse doors open for victims seeking justice. Always a tireless advocate for his own clients, Goodman sees his responsibility as a Detroit personal injury attorney in a broader sense as well. [ Attorney Bio ]