When you’ve been injured in an accident due to an intoxicated driver, you have options to recover monetary compensation. Call a Detroit drunk driving accident attorney at Christensen Law for help with your claim.
Driving under the influence (DUI) is a dangerous decision to make. Unfortunately, many people still make this decision, even knowing everything we know about drunk driving. If you’ve been hurt in a car crash because of an intoxicated driver, there are legal options available to you.
No one can erase the effects of a DUI crash, but you may be able to focus on the future. By filing a personal injury claim against the drunk driver who injured you, you can recover enough money to pay for all of your damages. Call a Detroit drunk driving accident lawyer at our firm for help with your claim.
Michigan’s No-Fault Auto Insurance Law
Throughout Michigan, we follow a no-fault system when it comes to handling car insurance claims. What this means is that after most car accidents, you file a claim with your own insurance company to recover damages.
You will be compensated based on your own insurance policy. If you’re injured, your personal injury protection (PIP) benefits will kick in to cover your medical bills and lost wages while you’re out of work. However, these benefits have limits.
What do you do if you’re seriously injured, if your life has been permanently altered by injuries caused by a drunk driver? That’s when you may be allowed to file a claim seeking damages.
Your losses will need to be great, and your injuries will need to be demonstrably serious. Your attorney will analyze your case to determine whether you qualify to file a claim for your DUI crash.
The Damages Owed to You
Injuries involving drunk drivers are often very serious. In some cases, drivers who are under the influence won’t even press the brake before colliding with another vehicle because they are too intoxicated to even realize a collision is about to occur. This means greater impact and great injuries for victims.
Some of the types of damages your lawyer may seek on your behalf are as follows:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of income
- Permanent disability
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Mental anguish and mental health services
- Physical therapy costs
- Loss of life enjoyment
Contact an Attorney
You deserve to be financially compensated for a vehicle collision you didn’t cause, especially if the other driver was drunk. You have medical bills, missed work wages, and other expenses that are dragging you down. You can focus on your physical recovery and let your attorney do the rest.
To speak with a lawyer with our firm, call us today or fill out the contact form on this webpage. Christensen Law will review your case during a free claim assessment so you can get an idea of whether you have a good case and how much compensation you can expect to receive.
Our Detroit Attorneys Can Answer Your Drunk Driving Accident FAQs
Can I sue a drunk driver even though Michigan is a No-Fault state?
No-Fault benefits cover basic losses, but they do not include pain and suffering. If you suffered a serious injury caused by a drunk driver, you can sue them for non-economic damages like emotional trauma, permanent disability, and loss of enjoyment of life. Drunk driving is considered gross negligence, which strengthens your claim and may even support an award of punitive damages. Our legal team will file a personal injury lawsuit to hold the intoxicated driver fully accountable.
What if the drunk driver was uninsured or underinsured?
Yes. If the drunk driver lacked sufficient insurance, you may still recover compensation through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, if available. Our car accident attorneys can review your policy and identify every possible avenue for recovery. We’ll also pursue any personal assets the drunk driver may have, depending on the severity of the crash and the available legal remedies.
What if I was a pedestrian or passenger hit by a drunk driver in Detroit—can I still get No-Fault benefits?
If you were injured as a pedestrian, bicyclist, or passenger in a car accident involving a drunk driver, you may be entitled to No-Fault benefits through your own insurance or Michigan’s Assigned Claims Plan (MACP), if no coverage exists. Our car accident lawyers can help identify the correct source of coverage and ensure your medical care and income loss are fully documented and covered.
How long do I have to file a drunk driving accident claim in Detroit, Michigan?
In most cases, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Michigan. However, if a dram shop claim is involved, you must serve notice to the establishment within 120 days of retaining an attorney. Christensen Law ensures all deadlines are met and evidence is preserved—so your case stays strong from the start.
