When a drunk driver shatters your life on a Detroit street, you deserve a legal team that treats your family like our own. At Christensen Law, our Detroit drunk driving victim lawyers stand with people who were hit by impaired drivers across Wayne County and throughout Michigan.
We listen to your story, protect you from insurance company pressure, and work to win the justice you deserve. If a drunk driver injured you or took someone you love, call our downtown Detroit office 24/7 at (313) 546-1091 for a free, no-risk consultation.
CHRISTENSEN LAW HAS A 24 HOUR RAPID RESPONSE SERVICE
How Can a Detroit Drunk Driving Victim Lawyer Help You?
A Detroit drunk driving victim lawyer can handle every part of your claim, from dealing with insurance adjusters to holding the impaired driver and any responsible business accountable in court. That frees you to focus on healing while we carry the legal weight.
Our firm rests on three principles: listen, protect, and win. First, we listen closely to what you and your family have lived through. Second, we protect you from the tactics insurers often use, such as recorded statement requests, surprise medical exams, and fast, lowball offers.
Third, we work to win full value, and we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. That readiness is often what moves an insurance company to pay what a claim is truly worth. Advocating for injured people since 1991, we have carried this fight for more than 35 years.
You will always know where your case stands, because we keep you informed at every step. When you are ready, we are here to review your options, alongside our Detroit car accident claims team.
We Represent People Hit by Drunk Drivers Across Detroit
If you were hit by a drunk driver, our Detroit attorneys represent you in claims that arise from every kind of impaired-driving crash. We have seen how a single reckless choice behind the wheel can change a family forever.
Drunk driving crashes tend to be severe, because an impaired driver reacts slowly and often speeds. Specifically, we handle claims from:
- T-bone (broadside) collisions at intersections, when a driver runs a red light or a stop sign
- Head-on collisions caused by a driver drifting across the center line
- Wrong-way crashes on freeways such as I-75, I-94, and the Lodge (M-10)
- Rear-end collisions from a driver who fails to slow or stop in time
- Single-car crashes that injure passengers riding with an impaired driver
No matter how your crash happened on Detroit’s streets or freeways, we move quickly to protect the evidence your case needs. Skid marks, surveillance video, and vehicle data can disappear within days.
Because impaired-driving crashes strike with so much force, the injuries are often severe and lasting. We work with your doctors and, when helpful, accident reconstruction and medical specialists to show the full picture of what happened and what it will cost you over a lifetime.
Our downtown Detroit office sits on Griswold Street, minutes from the Wayne County courthouses where these cases are often filed. That local footing helps us respond fast to crashes along Woodward Avenue, Gratiot, and the busy interchanges that ring the city.
What Compensation Can You Recover After Being Hit by a Drunk Driver in Detroit, MI?
After being hit by a drunk driver in Detroit, MI, you may recover two broad types of compensation: no-fault benefits for your medical care and lost wages, and a separate claim for pain and suffering. In some cases, you can also hold a bar or store accountable.
Michigan splits your recovery into different paths. The first path, called a first-party claim, pays your medical bills and part of your lost income through no-fault insurance. The second path, called a third-party lawsuit, seeks money for pain, suffering, and a reduced quality of life from the at-fault driver.
A full claim looks at more than today’s bills. We account for past and future medical care, lost wages and lost earning ability, pain and suffering, and the effect the injury has on your independence and your relationships.
Drunk driving crashes often cause catastrophic injuries, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injuries, and severe burns. These life-altering harms can require attendant care, which is help with daily living that no-fault benefits can cover.
If a drunk driver caused the death of someone you love, a wrongful death claim can pursue justice and the resources your family needs to move forward. For us, these cases are never about getting even. They are about accountability and about protecting your family’s future.
Michigan No-Fault Insurance and Your PIP Benefits
Michigan is a no-fault state, which means your own auto insurance pays your medical bills and wage loss first, no matter who caused the crash. These payments are called Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, benefits.
Under Michigan’s No-Fault Act (MCL 500.3105), PIP benefits are paid without regard to fault. They can cover reasonable medical treatment, a share of lost wages, and attendant care for serious injuries. Some drivers also carry coordinated policies, which affect which insurer pays first.
Attendant care matters most after a catastrophic injury, because a family member or aide may need to help with bathing, feeding, and medication for months or years. Insurers sometimes cut these benefits off early, and when that happens, we push back so your care is not interrupted.
To recover money for pain and suffering from the drunk driver, Michigan law requires a serious injury. The state’s third-party tort threshold (MCL 500.3135) allows these claims when a crash causes death, permanent serious disfigurement, or a serious impairment of an important body function.
You can still recover even if you were partly at fault, as long as you were not more than 50% responsible, under Michigan’s comparative fault rule (MCL 600.2959). Because these crashes usually place clear fault on the impaired driver, this rarely limits an innocent victim’s recovery. The same principles guide our Michigan drunk driving accident claims statewide.
Can You Sue a Bar That Overserved the Drunk Driver? Detroit Dram Shop Claims
Yes. Under Michigan’s Dram Shop Act, you may be able to sue a bar, restaurant, or store that sold alcohol to a driver who was already visibly intoxicated or under 21. This gives many Detroit drunk driving victims a second source of accountability beyond the driver alone.
The Dram Shop Act (MCL 436.1801) makes it unlawful for a licensed business to serve a visibly intoxicated person or a minor. When that unlawful service leads to a crash, the business can share responsibility for the harm that follows.
To succeed, we must show three things: the business served the driver alcohol, the driver was visibly intoxicated at the time, and that service was a cause of your injuries. We build this proof through bar receipts, surveillance video, and witness testimony.
This angle matters in a city with as much nightlife as Detroit, from Greektown to the bars and restaurants downtown and along the riverfront. When a business ignores clear signs that a customer is drunk, it can share the blame for the crash that follows.
A dram shop claim can also open a second source of recovery when the driver’s insurance is not enough to cover your losses. That extra path often makes the difference for families facing large medical bills after a serious crash.
Dram shop claims come with strict deadlines and special rules. Written notice must reach the business within 120 days of hiring an attorney, and the law requires that the intoxicated driver be named and kept in the lawsuit until it ends. Missing these steps can end a valid claim, so early action matters.
Suing a Drunk Driver in Wayne County
Suing a drunk driver in Wayne County usually means filing a third-party lawsuit in the Wayne County Circuit Court in downtown Detroit. This claim seeks the compensation that the no-fault system does not cover, such as pain and suffering. It is separate from any criminal case brought under Michigan’s operating-while-intoxicated law (MCL 257.625).
In our cases, we let the evidence and the treatment team tell the story. As our managing partner, Sarah Stempky-Kime, explains, the client is the most important part of any case, and we often let the at-fault side reveal its own conduct.
Building the case takes careful, patient work. We gather medical records, interview witnesses, request the driver’s records, and document how the injury has changed your daily life, your work, and your family.
We prepare every Wayne County claim for trial from day one. That preparation signals to insurers that we will not accept a lowball offer, and it gives your case its strongest footing, whether it settles or goes before a jury.
The attorneys and staff there are amazing and really care about their clients where you're treated with care and not... Jason Waddell From the 1st interaction with Christensen Law it was a positive, wonderful experience! Dustin, Samantha and the entire staff, had... Susan Schroeder They took amazing care of my uncle after his accident. I would recommend then to anyone injured in an auto... Steve Huber They were well-versed in the intricacies of the law and provided me with clear explanations of my rights and legal... Shana Goodrich I presented to them a situation that was quite scary and financially overwhelming. David and his kind staff listened to... Wendy Henn Thanks to Dave, Stephanie, and Michelle for getting me through this hard time. I didn't know what to do, I... Tim Taylor Christianson Law stepped in after my motorcycle accident when another firm had dropped the ball—and they completely and very quickly... Erin Magee They were communicative, compassionate, made the process easy for me to understand. I was able to effectively receive a size-able... Wren Bell He, Samantha, and the entire staff at Christensen Law treated me like family, demonstrating kindness, expertise, and a genuine interest... Janelle Garza The Christensen Law firm, compassionate approach to my injuries. Their attentive listening, and thorough understanding are truly commendable I highly... Mr. Douglas Whole team of Christensen law is amazing and wonderful from start to finish. They often contact me to see how... Amandeep Sohal From start to finish, the entire team was professional, compassionate, and dedicated to achieving the best possible outcome for me.... Gjon Ivezaj
I recommend all of my friends and family to Christensen Law.
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Why Detroit Families Choose Christensen Law
For more than 35 years, injured people across Michigan have trusted our team to fight for them. Here is what sets our firm apart:
- Proven results, including a $17.8 million motor vehicle accident verdict and a $9.5 million wrongful death recovery
- Elite trial credentials, as founder David Christensen is a Michigan Hall of Fame attorney, a member of ABOTA (the American Board of Trial Advocates), and holds AV Preeminent status from Martindale-Hubbell
- Trusted leadership, as managing partner Sarah Stempky-Kime is a recognized Leader in the Law and an ABOTA member
- Personal attention, because we treat clients like family and never run our firm like a high-volume settlement mill
- Around-the-clock access, with free consultations 24/7 and a 4.9 to 5.0 review rating across our offices
When you choose us, you get trial lawyers who live by Listen Protect Win. Call our Detroit team 24/7 at (313) 546-1091 for a free consultation.
FAQs Answered by Our Detroit Drunk Driving Victim Lawyers
Below, we answer common questions from Detroit drivers and families about drunk driving victim claims.
The deadline depends on the type of claim. A third-party lawsuit against the driver generally must be filed within three years of the crash, while no-fault PIP benefits and dram shop claims follow shorter, separate timelines. Because these dates differ, we review them early, and you can read our Michigan personal injury timeline guide for a plain-language overview.
Your civil claim is separate from any criminal case. You can pursue compensation whether or not the driver is charged or convicted, though a conviction can help support your case. The criminal court punishes the driver, while your civil claim seeks money for your losses.
You may still have options. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy can provide payment when the at-fault driver cannot, and a dram shop claim against a bar or store may add another source of recovery. We look at every available policy to find the compensation you need.
Nothing up front. We handle these cases on a contingency fee, which means you pay attorney fees only if we recover money for you, and your consultation is always free. This lets you get strong representation without adding to your financial stress.
Yes, passengers have rights too. As an injured passenger, you can seek no-fault PIP benefits and, in many cases, a third-party claim against the driver or another responsible party. Your injuries deserve full attention, no matter which seat you were in.
Bring whatever you already have. A police report, medical records, photos, and insurance information all help, but do not worry if some items are missing. We help gather the rest, so the most important step is simply reaching out.
Many cases settle without a trial. Still, we prepare every case as if a jury will decide it, because that readiness protects your position at the negotiating table. If a fair settlement is not offered, we are ready to take your case to court.
Talk With a Detroit Drunk Driving Victim Lawyer Today
If a drunk driver has changed your life, you do not have to face the insurance companies alone. Our Detroit drunk driving victim lawyers are ready to listen to your story, protect your rights, and fight for the justice you and your family deserve.
Call Christensen Law 24/7 at (313) 546-1091 for a free, no-risk consultation. Serving all of Michigan, from the D to the UP.
From the D to the UP | Proven Expertise | Powerful Results
