Injured From a Drunk Driving Accident in Detroit?
We Can Help!
Drunk driving is one of the leading causes of traffic accidents in Detroit and the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 37 people die from drunk-driving crashes in the United States daily. This amounts to one person every 39 minutes.
When a drunk driving accident happens, the victim may be eligible to receive financial compensation from the at-fault party. Our drunk driving accident lawyers in Detroit can help you commence the process of seeking compensation. At Goodman Acker P.C., we are dedicated legal practitioners committed to aggressively pursuing your case until we get a favorable outcome.
Contact our law firm today at 248-286-8100 to request a free case review.
hy Choose Goodman Acker P.C.?
At Goodman Acker P.C., our Detroit drunk-driving car accident lawyers actively fight to ensure innocent victims like you are compensated for their monetary and non-monetary losses due to someone else’s reckless behavior. We will hold the drunk driver accountable for their actions. Our attorneys have over 150 years of experience handling these types of cases.
We can help you obtain the maximum compensation you deserve. We have a 99% success rate and positive client reviews from those we’ve represented. Our law firm offers a free initial consultation, and you don’t have to worry about our fees because we work on a contingency fee basis. Call us today at 248-286-8100 to learn how we can help you.
You have the right to hold a drunk driver accountable for causing a car accident that hurt you. So, take action today by beginning the compensation claims process.
What Constitutes Drunk Driving Under Michigan Law?
Under Michigan law, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle at or above a .08% blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level if you are 21 years of age or older. Commercial vehicle drivers must keep their BAC below .04%. Also, Michigan has a zero-tolerance policy for underage drivers, and their BAC must be lower than .02%.
The reason for the BAC limits is to keep drivers from consuming alcohol and getting behind the wheel. Alcohol affects the brain’s cognitive abilities, impacting reasoning and reflexes and slowing reaction time. As a result, drunk drivers make bad judgment calls, disobey traffic rules, and drive more erratically.
This is why drunk driving is a leading cause of traffic accidents, resulting in severe injuries and deaths. According to the NHTSA, 13,384 people died in alcohol-impaired driving in 2021 in the United States. The number is a 14% increase from 2020.
A year earlier, in 2019, 419 people died in drunk driving accidents in Michigan. The high incidence of drunk driving accidents despite the measures put in place by the government is why it is classified as a criminal action and attracts strict penalties. Also, it attracts higher compensation in personal injury cases and, sometimes, exemplary damages.
What Should You Do After a Drunk Driving Accident?
After an accident involving a drunk driver, take the following steps:
Call 911
The truth is, without a breathalyzer test at the crash scene or a blood test, you might be unable to tell if the other driver was impaired. Therefore, the first action is to call 911 if you can. Notifying the first responders will also get the police to the scene.
The police will conduct the breathalyzer test to rule out impaired driving or request that the other driver perform some routine field test to determine impairment if they are not badly injured. These tests and the police report are crucial as they help you establish the at-fault party’s negligence during a compensation claim.
The police may also test you to ensure you are not driving impaired. But even if you were under the influence, it does not stop you from getting compensation if the other party caused the accident. Our Detroit drunk driving lawyers will provide more information when you visit our law firm.
Get Medical Treatment
Not all drunk driving accidents result in severe injuries or death; you might sustain minor injuries. But irrespective of the severity of your injury, you should get medical treatment. Your medical record is a crucial piece of evidence for your claim. Also, getting treatment helps prevent delayed injuries or aggravating your wounds.
You shouldn’t have to pay for the negligent actions of a drunk driver. Instead, take legal action to receive financial compensation for your injuries and losses.
Get Evidence
Depending on the impact, you may or may not be conscious after the collision. If you are and can move around, take photographs of the scene, vehicles involved, injuries, or any damaged property. If the other driver is obviously impaired or incoherent, take a video of their behavior.
Also, talk to witnesses at the crash site and get the other driver’s contact information if they are able to give it to you. If you were unconscious after the crash, get a copy of the accident report. Additionally, contact our Detroit drunk driving car accident attorneys. We will investigate the collision and get you the proof needed.
Hire Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in Detroit
Finally, hire a legal team to represent your interests. Insurance companies will not go easy on you because you are an accident victim. They will protect their interests, so you should protect yours by hiring our experienced Detroit, MI, drunk driving attorneys.
What Are the Legal Options for Drunk Driving Accident Victims and Surviving Family Members?
Injured victims or family members of those killed in drunk driving accidents have legal rights. You may be able to seek compensation for your injuries or the death of a loved one. In Michigan, injured victims or their surviving family members may be able to pursue one of the following:
Personal Injury Lawsuit
This type of lawsuit is filed against the individual drunk driver for the injuries that arose out of the accident. Injured victims can sue for compensatory damages and also get awarded exemplary damages.
Michigan Dram Shop Lawsuit
This type of lawsuit is brought under and controlled by the Michigan Dram Shop Law. Dram shop lawsuits are filed against the retail liquor licensee that sold the alcohol to the drunk driver. A retail liquor licensee can include a bar, restaurant, or any establishment serving alcohol to the drunk driver. Our attorneys can help clients obtain significant additional compensation for their injuries in these claims.
Michigan No-Fault Insurance Lawsuit
Michigan is a no-fault state, meaning persons injured in a motor vehicle accident (including pedestrians involved in a drunk driving crash) are entitled to valuable economic benefits from their insurance company.
Valuable economic benefits can include coverage for medical bill expenses, wage loss, replacement services (help with household chores), attendant care services (in-home nursing care), and more. Even if you do not have insurance, you may still be entitled to such benefits depending on your situation.
Wrongful Death Lawsuit
The deceased victim’s family members bring this type of lawsuit. Wrongful death lawsuits seek compensation and damages for a loved one’s medical bills and hospitalization costs, funeral expenses, lost future wages, and loss of companionship.
Drunk Driving Accident in Detroit FAQs
If you were involved in a drunk driving accident and want to file a claim against the drunk driver, you might have questions about the claims process. The following are some of the questions frequently asked by our clients:
Yes, you can. However, you must do so as soon as possible and within the time allowed by the statute of limitations, which is three years under Michigan law.
The worth of your drunk driving accident claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the extensiveness of property damage, the need for future care, and your lawyer’s negotiation and litigation skills. The amount of lost wages and non-economic damages also counts.
Yes, you do. Drunk driving cases are not always straightforward, and dealing with insurance companies requires experience and negotiation skills, which lawyers have. Therefore, it is always wise to work with an attorney.
Yes. Michigan follows the modified comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover compensation even if you are partly at fault. However, your fault percentage must be less than 51%.
What Can Our Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in Detroit Do for You?
The laws in Michigan for cases related to drunk driving accidents are very complex and require the knowledge of an experienced attorney who understands the law and regularly handles these types of claims. Having the right personal injury attorney on your side can change the outcome of your case entirely.
No law firm will fight for you as we do. This is why we are one of Michigan’s most trusted law firms.
Our legal team has significant experience handling these cases and is fearless in going to trial for our clients. We work for you and will lead you through the entire process, including documenting evidence, investigating and finding witnesses, filing a claim, and building value to your case to ensure you receive the maximum compensation for your injuries. We have obtained million-dollar settlements and verdicts for our clients over the years and are confident of getting you a fair settlement.
Let Goodman Acker P.C. Help You Get the Maximum Compensation
If you or a loved one sustained injuries from a drunk driving accident, you deserve compensation from the at-fault party. Our Detroit drunk driving car accident lawyers at Goodman Acker P.C. will answer all your questions, help with your insurance claim, and fight for maximum compensation. Call us today at 248-286-8100 to schedule a free case review.
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 ]
Why Insurance Companies Bully their Clients