Southfield Drunk Driving Injury Lawyer

After a Drunk Driving Injury, Speak to an Experienced Southfield Injury Attorney To Protect Your Legal Rights

Every Michigan driver has a legal duty to use reasonable care when driving a vehicle. Reasonable care prevents many roadway accidents, and many drivers take this responsibility seriously.

However, not all drivers use reasonable care when they get behind the wheel. Some Michigan drivers throw caution to the wind by driving while drunk, putting themselves and everyone else on the road at risk. Even a driver who is driving carefully may be unable to avoid a collision with a drunk driver and the serious injuries that can result.

If you’ve been injured by a drunk driver, speak to an experienced Southfield drunk driving injury attorney today. The team at Sommers Schwartz, P.C. can help.

Drunk Driving Statistics in Michigan

The Michigan State Police’s annual traffic crash report recorded 297 alcohol-related crash deaths in 2023. The MSP data also revealed these trends:

• October had the highest number of drunk driving crashes (820). December was a close second, recording 817 crashes. The fewest occurred in February (637).
• Saturday was the most common day for drunk driving crashes to occur, with 1,981 recorded collisions. Another 1,859 crashes occurred on Sundays. Tuesday was the least likely day for such crashes, with only 830 recorded crashes.
• Alcohol-related crashes were most likely between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. They occurred least often between 6 a.m. and noon.

Wayne County had the highest total drunk driving deaths and injuries in 2023, with 48 deaths and 875 injuries. Oakland County recorded 13 deaths and 558 injuries, while Macomb County recorded 10 deaths and 369 injuries.

Common Injuries in Drunk Driving Crashes

Drunk driving collisions often exert more force than other types of crashes. Many impaired drivers cannot accurately judge speed or distance, have delayed response times, and may overlook obstacles. Consequently, they may see no reason to hit the brakes, swerve, or take other measures to mitigate the effects of a collision – measures a sober person would take to reduce the harm.

As a result, injuries in drunk driving crashes are often more severe than in other types of crashes. Common injuries in these collisions include:

• Head, neck, and back injuries.
• Brain and spinal cord injuries.
• Broken bones, amputations, and crush injuries.
• Internal organ damage and internal bleeding.
• Nerve and soft tissue damage.
• Scarring and disfigurement.

Along with physical injuries, victims of drunk driving crashes can suffer psychological trauma, leading to issues like PTSD, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and many other conditions.

Recovering Compensation After a Southfield Drunk Driving Accident

Michigan’s no-fault insurance laws generally limit a driver’s rights to pursue a lawsuit for their injuries unless an accident caused death, permanent serious disfigurement, the serious impairment of a body function, or long-term income loss. Instead, injury victims turn to their own insurer for compensation under a PIP policy. However, drunk driving crashes often cause severe injuries, allowing drivers to pursue a lawsuit under one of these exceptions.

You may also be able to file a lawsuit against other potentially liable parties, such as a driver’s employer or an establishment that served them alcohol. Out-of-state drivers may not carry PIP coverage at all. An experienced attorney can help you understand the options available to recover compensation in your case.

You may be able to recover compensation for losses like:

• Medical bills you’ve already incurred from the crash.
• Future medical expenses for ongoing medical care.
• Lost wages, including lost wages from future work, if your injuries prevent you from working again or impair your ability to do your job.
• Property damage, such as the cost of fixing or replacing your vehicle.
• Your conscious pain and suffering from your injuries.
• Loss of enjoyment of life activities like hobbies or raising your family if your injuries prevent you from doing these things.

If you have lost a loved one, you can also seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, their medical bills, pain, and suffering, and your loss of their care, companionship, and support.

Speak to a Dedicated Southfield Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Today

Drunk driving threatens everyone on the road. You may be a careful, sober driver, but someone else’s decision to get behind the wheel while intoxicated can cause you serious injuries, inflict thousands of dollars of property damage, or even claim a loved one’s life.

If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident, call the experienced Southfield drunk driving injury lawyers at Sommers Schwartz, P.C. today. We’ll help you understand your legal rights, deal with insurance companies, and fight for the compensation you deserve.