Drivers who choose to operate their vehicles while under the influence of alcohol can be held accountable for the accidents and injuries they cause. In addition to facing criminal charges, drunk drivers may owe crash victims compensation for medical bills and other damages.
Christensen Law’s Grand Rapids car accident lawyers are committed to helping victims seek justice and fair compensation after a drunk driving crash. Our firm has represented injured people in Michigan since 1991. During that time, we have recovered millions on behalf of our clients. If you or a loved one sustained injuries in a drunk driving accident, contact our office to discuss your legal options with a Grand Rapids drunk driving attorney.
Recovering the Compensation You Deserve
At Christensen Law, we understand how traumatic it is to be involved in a crash with a drunk driver. We are interested in helping you get justice and fair compensation for any and all of your losses, including:
Current and Future Income
When you are injured in an accident, you may need time away from work to receive treatment and recover. If you suffered catastrophic injuries, you may be in the hospital or receiving rehabilitative care for months or years.
We know how bills pile up when you cannot work. You can rely on us to fight for the wages, salary, benefits, and other income you lost due to the accident. If your injuries result in long-term disability or impairment, our lawyers will also seek compensation for diminished income potential.
Current and Future Medical Expenses
Drunk driving accidents often cause catastrophic injuries that require extensive medical care and therapy. Alcohol impairs an intoxicated driver’s judgment and reaction time, which means crashes often occur at higher speeds and result in more serious injuries.
Following a collision with a drunk driver, you may need emergency treatment, critical care, surgery, rehabilitative therapy, assistive equipment, and medication. Our team pursues compensation for these medical expenses and any future healthcare costs related to your injuries, because you should not have to pay for a drunk driver’s poor decisions.
Pain and Suffering
In addition to your medical and income losses, our legal team works to recover compensation for the physical and psychological distress you experienced because of the drunk driving collision. We will spare no resources when it comes to getting the results you deserve.
Wrongful Death
Alcohol plays a significant role in fatal accidents. In 2023, drinking and driving contributed to just over 25 percent of fatal crashes, according to the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning. If you lost someone in a drunk driving accident, an attorney with our firm is here to help you navigate the unexpected legal and financial challenges following a loved one’s untimely passing.
Through a wrongful death claim, we help close relatives of the deceased person recover burial expenses, funeral costs, lost income, and other damages. Whether the drunk driving accident is a car crash, truck accident, motorcycle accident, or bicycle collision, you can count on our attorneys to provide the legal support you need.
Laws That Can Affect Your Claim
When an intoxicated driver decides to get behind the wheel, they endanger the health and safety of everyone sharing the road. Not only do they break criminal laws against drunk driving, but they also face potential civil action from injured parties.
As a victim of a drunk driving crash, you can seek compensation through several avenues:
- Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance: If you have PIP coverage, you can recover medical bills and some income loss through your own PIP policy, regardless of fault.
- Bodily injury and property damage coverage: For additional compensation outside your PIP policy limits, you may file a claim with the drunk driver’s motor vehicle insurance. For this type of claim, you must be able to prove the other driver was responsible for the crash.
- Personal injury lawsuit: Depending on the facts of your case, you can recover medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages through a personal injury lawsuit. This method also requires proving the drunk driver caused the collision.
Michigan’s laws for establishing fault and liability are complicated, so you benefit from working with our lawyers. Our attorneys are familiar with state and local car accident laws, drunk driving regulations, and liability requirements. We have extensive experience helping people recover compensation from negligent and reckless people, including drunk drivers.
When an Accident Leads to Catastrophic Injuries
Alcohol affects a person’s nervous system, affecting their coordination, thinking, and reasoning abilities. Even low levels of alcohol concentration slow a driver’s braking response, causing them to hit other vehicles at higher, more damaging speeds. When you are hit at full speed by a drunk driver, you are more likely to suffer from catastrophic injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Crushing injuries
- Organ damage
- Loss of limb
- Spinal cord damage
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
At Christensen Law, we have handled numerous catastrophic injury cases. Our attorneys are aware of the complications that can arise when you suffer severe life-altering injuries after a drunk driving collision. Our founding partner, David Christensen has won 95 percent of his TBI cases. He understands the legal process and medical terminology associated with TBIs, spinal cord damage, and other serious conditions.
Our Firm Leads With Compassion
Christensen Law has been advocating for the rights of victims for more than 30 years. We understand that you have come to us for legal support, and we are here to protect your rights and secure your financial future after a drunk driving crash.
We Take the Time to Listen to Your Story
When you work with our firm, you receive attentive representation from attorneys who are focused on your needs. Our attorneys understand the importance of letting you tell your story. When we understand how your accident affects your life, we can craft a case strategy that focuses on your needs and concerns.
We Leverage All Our Resources to Secure a Fair Settlement
Christensen Law has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of injury victims. We bring extensive knowledge, experience, and resources to bear on every case, and we will not settle for less than you deserve.
We Have Experienced Trial Lawyers on Staff
While many cases settle out of court, our team approaches every case like it is going to trial. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators, capable of fighting large corporations and stubborn insurance companies to recover fair compensation. However, we are always prepared to take your case to court if it means securing a better outcome for your claim.
Filing a Lawsuit Within the Statute of Limitations
Michigan law typically gives an injury victim three years to file a lawsuit. However, you must file a PIP claim within one year of the date of the accident. Your case may also be subject to different time limits depending on the details of your accident. If you miss the legal filing deadline for your drunk driving claim, you could lose the chance to recover fair compensation.
Rather than taking that risk, contact Christensen Law as soon as possible after your accident. We offer free consultations, and all our injury cases are handled on contingency. That means you pay nothing upfront for our legal assistance if you hire us. Instead, we recover our fees and costs from the final settlement or verdict in your favor.
Consult With an Attorney Today
Contact our office to schedule a free consultation with Christensen Law. A member of our team will explain the legal actions available to you and help devise a case strategy tailored to your particular situation.
