DUI Accident Lawyers Seeking Compensation for Your Injuries
Drunk driving is one of the most serious safety risks that motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists in Kent County face. Every day, impaired individuals make the dangerous decision to drink and drive. This puts themselves and innocent bystanders at risk. According to the Michigan State Police, approximately 40% of traffic-related fatalities involve drug and/or alcohol impairment.
If you were hit by a drunk driver or if you lost a loved one due to someone’s reckless, callous actions, speak to a DUI injury attorney in Grand Rapids as soon as possible. Our law firm represents drunk driving accident victims and their families by helping them seek compensation and justice. All it takes is a free case evaluation to get started. We’re here to help.
Table of Contents
- Kent County Drunk Driving Facts
- What Injuries Do Drunk Drivers Cause?
- What Damages Can I Recover After a Drunk Driving Accident?
- What Should I Do If I Was Hit by a Drunk Driver?
- Why Hire an Attorney With Experience in Drunk Driving Accidents?
- Grand Rapids DUI Accident FAQs
- Contact Our Grand Rapids DUI Injury Attorney Today
- Related Articles & Info
Kent County Drunk Driving Facts
In 2023, Michigan reported 8,817 alcohol-involved crashes and 2,250 drug-related crashes. These accidents resulted in over 500 fatalities, affecting countless families and loved ones. While it’s illegal to drive with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08% or higher, officers can arrest drivers at any level if they are deemed impaired. Drunk drivers may face criminal and civil repercussions, including charges of Unlawful Bodily Alcohol Content (UBAC), Operating a Vehicle While Under the Influence of Drugs (OUID), and Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) Injury.
According to the 2024 Michigan Annual Drink Driving Audit, the following drug- and alcohol-related accidents occurred in Kent County. This data illustrates just how serious the problem is.
| Crash Type | Total | Alcohol Only | Drugs Only | Alcohol and Drugs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Property Damage | 15,511 | 350 | 29 | 47 |
| Injury Crashes | 3,856 | 239 | 27 | 30 |
| Fatal Crashes | 62 | 14 | 4 | 6 |
What Injuries Do Drunk Drivers Cause?
Drunk driving accidents can lead to a variety of serious injuries. In fact, drunk drivers are responsible for a significant number of traffic-related fatalities. Alcohol affects drivers’ decision-making and inhibitions, making them more likely to speed and make judgment errors. Drink drivers aren’t really thinking about what they’re doing behind the wheel or how their actions affect others.
Broken bones are one of the most common types of injuries that we see as a result of drunk driving accidents. When someone crashes into your car at 50 mph, you may experience whiplash and end up with back or neck problems. If you were able to get out of your car and walk without any help from first responders, consider yourself very lucky. However, even if you don’t feel immediate pain, you should still seek a medical evaluation as soon as possible. You may not realize the full extent of your injuries until later.
Drunk driving crashes lead to a number of serious injuries, including:
- Head and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Full or partial paralysis
- Injuries from faulty airbags
- Burns and scarring
- Broken bones
- Organ damage
What Damages Can I Recover After a Drunk Driving Accident?
Depending on the extent of your injuries, there may be several ways to recover compensation after a drunk driving accident. Our DUI injury lawyer helps clients settle both no-fault and at-fault claims. We can also hold restaurants, bars, and liquor stores accountable for overserving customers or providing alcohol to minors thanks to Michigan’s dram shop law.
In Michigan, the first step after a drunk driving accident is to file a no-fault claim through your own car insurance policy. Personal injury protection (PIP) covers medical care and partial lost wages regardless of who was at fault. PIP offers the following benefits:
- Medical expenses up to your policy limit
- 85% of lost wages up to a monthly maximum
- A nominal daily allowance for household services
If your injuries are severe or permanent, you may be able to sue the other driver by filing an at-fault claim. Although Michigan is a no-fault state, lawsuits are permitted if the accident caused disfigurement, death, or a permanent impairment of body function. Families may be able to recover compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress or mental anguish
- Excess medical bills above PIP limits
- Lost wages beyond PIP’s 3-year limit
- Loss of consortium or guidance
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Per MCL 436.1801, businesses that sell alcohol can be held liable for damages if they serve a visibly intoxicated person or a minor who later causes an accident. To pursue a dram shop claim, you must provide:
- Proof that the business served the intoxicated driver illegally.
- Advance notice of your intent to sue within 120 days of retaining legal counsel.
- Evidence connecting illegal alcohol service to the accident and injuries.
What Should I Do If I Was Hit by a Drunk Driver?
1. Seek Medical Care
If you’ve been hit by a drunk driver as a motorist, bicyclist, or pedestrian, seek medical care as soon as possible. Even if you don’t feel injured, it’s important to be evaluated by a health care provider, either at the scene or within a few days of the accident. Early documentation of injuries is critical for both your health and your legal claim.
2. Communicate With Law Enforcement
To build a successful at-fault claim, you must show that another driver inflicted serious injuries. If you suspect that drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash, it could be helpful to speak with a police officer or first responder on the scene. This can ensure that appropriate field sobriety or chemical tests are administered. Delays in reporting may hinder the collection of evidence and weaken your case.
3. Document Financial Losses
You also need to show that you have been impacted financially by your injuries. Keep copies of all medical records and bills related to the accident. You should also keep a log of any days that you missed from work and what kind of earnings you lost during those periods. The more evidence you have, the better chance you have of being fairly compensated.
As a personal injury law firm, we can guide you through each step of the process. Whether you’re filing a no-fault insurance claim or a third-party DUI accident lawsuit, we can help you negotiate with the insurance companies to ensure you get the best possible settlement for your injuries.
Why Hire an Attorney With Experience in Drunk Driving Accidents?
Drunk driving cases are complex and often involve more than just filing an insurance claim. Whether you’re filing a lawsuit for catastrophic injuries or are pursuing a dram shop claim against a negligent bar or restaurant, you need a local drunk driving accident lawyer who understands the legal system and knows what a fair settlement could mean for your future. Here’s how a Grand Rapids DUI injury attorney can help you build a strong case:
- We have years of experience helping car crash victims get the results they need to move forward.
Attorney Jason Barrix has recovered substantial settlements and verdicts for local clients who’ve been injured in auto accidents.
- With over 30 years of criminal defense experience, we know what the other side will say to minimize blame and avoid responsibility.
- Our knowledge of both criminal and civil law is helpful for proving that the driver was intoxicated and that their impairment caused the accident and injuries.
- As experienced negotiators, we’ll fight to recover fair compensation while pushing back against insurance companies that try to delay claims and undervalue settlements.
- We have the resources needed to investigate every aspect of your drunk driving injury claim, from recovering field sobriety results to reconstructing the accident.
- We offer free case evaluations so you know exactly where you stand before taking the next step.
Grand Rapids DUI Accident FAQs
Per MCL 500.3145, you have 1 year from the date of the accident to notify your insurer of your injuries. Any subsequent medical bills must be submitted within 1 year of the date of treatment. If your disability prevents you from working for more than 3 years or if your injuries exceed the limits of your policy, you may be able to file an at-fault claim against the drunk driver.
If the at-fault drunk driver was uninsured, you will still receive benefits through your own PIP coverage. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can provide additional funds. Further, you might have grounds to sue a bar or restaurant under Michigan’s dram shop law depending on the facts of the case.
In Michigan, you have 3 years to file a lawsuit against the drunk driver, assuming that you meet the state’s severe injury threshold. If you’re taking action against a bar, liquor store, or restaurant that served the driver, you have 2 years to file a dram shop claim. Additionally, you must notify the business of your intent to sue in advance.
Contact Our Grand Rapids DUI Injury Attorney Today
Drunk driving accidents have grave consequences, both physically and financially. When your future depends on your ability to access quality medical care and support your family, you need competent, experienced legal representation. Not only do you lose time from work and money because of your injuries; you also suffer physical pain and emotional trauma daily.
At Barrix Law Firm, we believe that the person who caused your injuries should be held responsible for all the damages that you incurred. Contact us today to schedule a free in-depth case evaluation with our drunk driving injury lawyer in Grand Rapids. It’s time for justice.
