Westland Drunk Driving Injury Lawyer

Westland’s location in western Wayne County, close to Plymouth, Canton, and Livonia, makes it a busy place for traffic. Westland is also home to many parks in the Detroit metro area, making it a popular destination for visitors and tourists.

As on any other Michigan road, Westland’s drivers must follow the rules of the road – including the rule to avoid driving if they’re intoxicated by alcohol or other substances. Unfortunately, some drivers ignore this rule. The consequences of their decision can devastate others injured in a resulting collision.

If a drunk driver has injured you or someone you love, don’t wait. Talk to an experienced Westland drunk driving injury attorney today.

Drunk Driving Statistics in Michigan

Drunk and drugged driving are deadly. In 2023, drugs and/or alcohol were involved in 41 percent of all roadway deaths in Michigan, according to the Michigan State Police.

In 2023, Michigan recorded 8,817 alcohol-related car crashes, which caused 297 deaths. The state also recorded 2,250 drug-involved crashes, which caused 256 deaths. That year, crashes involving a drunk driver caused 27.1 percent of all roadway deaths in Michigan.

Here’s how drunk driving crashes compared to crashes that didn’t involve alcohol in 2023:

• 6.9 percent of alcohol-related crashes were fatal, compared to 2.0 percent of other crashes.
• 19.7 percent of alcohol-related crashes involved serious injuries, compared to 9.1 percent of other crashes.
• 36 percent of alcohol-related crashes caused at least one minor injury, compared to 31 percent of other crashes.

The holidays can be a particularly deadly time for drunk driving crashes. Between 2019 and 2023, 43.3 percent of all winter holiday traffic deaths involved alcohol and/or drug use, according to the MSP. Drunk driving crashes are also more common on Saturdays and at night, between 9 pm and 3 am, according to the MSP.

In 2023, Wayne County recorded 1,360 alcohol-related crashes – the highest total of any Michigan county. Neighboring Oakland County was second with 920 recorded drunk driving crashes. Wayne County drunk driving crashes claimed 48 lives and caused nearly 900 injuries, many of them serious.

Common Westland Drunk Driving Crash Injuries

Drunk driving crash injuries can be severe. These injuries can cause lifelong problems with mobility, sensation, mental functions, pain, and more. It is not unusual for an injured person to find that their life and plans have changed forever.

Common injuries in Westland drunk driving crashes include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and other injuries to the head and face
• Spinal cord and nervous system injuries resulting in paralysis and other issues
• Broken and fractured bones
• Damage to muscles, nerves, soft tissues, and internal organs
• Amputation or crush injuries
• Psychological trauma

Dealing with these injuries can pose a significant challenge. Seeking compensation for your losses while also recovering from serious injuries can feel impossible. A knowledgeable Westland drunk driving injury lawyer can help you pursue your case, so you can focus on healing.

What Happens in a Westland Drunk Driving Crash?

Alcohol affects several functions required to drive a car safely. Under the influence of alcohol, a driver’s thinking is impaired. Alcohol impairs a driver’s ability to reason, judge speed and distance, and react to sudden changes in the environment. This combination of impairments greatly increases the risk of a crash.

Common types of crashes drunk drivers cause include:

• Rear-end collisions. A drunk driver may misjudge the distance between their vehicle and one ahead of them, or they may not understand how fast they’re driving. Both situations make a rear-end collision more likely. The driver in the car ahead may be unable to avoid the collision.
• Head-on crashes. Head-on crashes can occur when a drunk driver fails to understand signs or signals, can’t see or judge what’s ahead of them, or falls asleep and drifts into oncoming traffic. Head-on crashes pose a high risk of death or serious injury.
• Bicycle, motorcycle, and pedestrian crashes. A drunk driver’s impaired vision, judgment, and reflexes make it harder to avoid other vehicles – and even more difficult to avoid pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists. Difficulty focusing on the road can cause a drunk driver to miss these travelers, causing a crash.

Drunk driving can cause other types of accidents as well. It’s important to seek the help of an experienced attorney if you’ve been injured in an alcohol-related crash in Westland.

Criminal Versus Civil Consequences in a Drunk Driving Collision

Like other states, Michigan has laws that criminalize drunk driving when a driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08 percent or higher. After a drunk driving collision, an impaired driver may face criminal charges. As someone injured in that crash, you may be informed of the criminal case. You may be asked to give testimony. You may have the opportunity to tell the judge how the driver’s actions affected you and your family.

Criminal cases play an important role in maintaining the rules of a civilized society. However, a criminal case has its limits. Criminal cases focus on determining whether the defendant is guilty and, if so, holding them accountable to society for their actions. Criminal cases typically do not fully compensate the injured person for their losses.

To seek compensation, you may need to bring a civil claim for your injuries. A civil claim can hold drivers accountable, encourage insurance companies to cooperate, and ensure you have the resources you need as you recover from your injuries.

In some instances, what happens in the criminal case will affect how the civil case proceeds. An experienced attorney can account for these factors, protecting your rights and maximizing your chances of success in a civil claim.

Damages in a Drunk Driving Injury Lawsuit

A civil claim seeks compensation or “damages” for the harm a negligent party caused. Typically, an injured person can seek compensation for losses like:

• Past and future medical bills,
• Past and future lost wages,
• Property damage,
• Pain and suffering.

Compensation for other types of losses may also be available. An attorney can explain which of your losses can be compensated in an injury claim.

Some drunk driving accident injuries are so severe they cause death. If you’ve lost a family member in a drunk driving crash, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

A wrongful death claim seeks damages for the loss of your loved one. Such a claim can seek compensation for medical bills, damaged property, and a loved one’s final pain and suffering. The claim also seeks compensation for the losses that family members have suffered – losses like the financial support a loved one provided, or the loss of the loved one’s assistance and support around the home, with mental and emotional challenges, and in daily life.

In Michigan, most traffic accident cases involve one or more auto insurance companies. Auto insurers are interested in protecting their bottom line. They may deny your claim or offer you a settlement that is much lower than you need or deserve. An experienced attorney can help you negotiate with insurance companies, get the compensation owed to you under an applicable policy, and protect your legal rights.

Time Limits in Westland Drunk Driving Injury Claims

In Michigan, you have three years from the date of a drunk driving injury to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for your injuries. This rule is called the “statute of limitations.”

There are only a few exceptions to this deadline. The exceptions are narrow. Typically, if a case isn’t filed before the three-year time limit expires, it cannot be brought to court.

It’s important to speak to an attorney as soon as possible after you are injured. An attorney can negotiate on your behalf with insurance companies and other parties. Your lawyer will keep a close eye on the statute of limitations and other deadlines that may apply in your case. Throughout the process, an experienced attorney will work to protect your legal rights and preserve your options.

Speak to An Experienced Westland Drunk Driving Injury Attorney Today

Like many Michigan residents, you may have little or no experience with injury lawsuits before a drunk driver turns your life upside-down. You may wonder where to start when looking for an attorney.

When considering your options, look for a lawyer who:

• Has significant experience representing people injured in drunk driving crashes – and winning.
• Answers your questions in a way you understand.
• Communicates with you consistently regarding your case.
• Helps you understand your legal rights and options at every stage, giving you the information you need to make your own informed decisions.
• Fights for the full, fair compensation you need, seeking the best possible outcome in your case.

If you or someone you love has suffered due to a drunk driver’s negligence, speak to an experienced Westland drunk driving injury lawyer today. The team at Sommers Schwartz PC can help. Our attorneys have extensive experience representing those injured in auto accidents, including drunk driving crashes, throughout Michigan. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.