Drunk Driver Accident Injury Attorneys in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Drunk driving accidents shatter lives in an instant. When an impaired driver makes the reckless decision to get behind the wheel in Ann Arbor, the consequences can be catastrophic—severe injuries, permanent disabilities, and lives forever changed. At Logeman & Iafrate, P.C., we stand firm against drunk drivers and fight to hold them accountable for the devastation they cause.

For more than 45 years, our attorneys have represented drunk driving accident victims throughout Michigan. We understand the unique challenges these cases present and the additional avenues for compensation available when alcohol is involved. We're trial-ready advocates who are ready to try a case from insurance companies or negligent defendants.

Understanding Drunk Driving Accidents in Ann Arbor

Michigan law prohibits operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or higher. Drivers with BAC levels between .05% and .07% can also face charges if their ability to operate a vehicle is visibly impaired. Despite strict laws and public awareness campaigns, drunk driving remains a serious problem on Ann Arbor roads.

Alcohol impairs judgment, slows reaction time, reduces coordination, and diminishes a driver's ability to assess dangerous situations. These impairments make crashes more likely and more severe. Drunk drivers often speed, run red lights, drive the wrong way, or cross the center line—causing head-on collisions and other catastrophic accidents.

Common Injuries in Drunk Driving Accidents

Because drunk drivers often travel at high speeds and fail to brake before impact, the injuries they cause tend to be severe:

These injuries require immediate medical treatment, long-term care, and significant financial resources. You deserve compensation that covers every dollar of your losses and accounts for the reckless nature of drunk driving.

Compensation Available in Ann Arbor Drunk Driving Cases

Drunk driving accident victims in Michigan may recover compensation through multiple avenues:

No-Fault PIP Benefits

Michigan's no-fault system provides Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits through your own auto insurance policy, covering medical expenses, wage loss (up to 85% of gross income), and replacement services. Your coverage level depends on your policy choice—unlimited, $500,000, $250,000, or $50,000. These benefits are available regardless of who caused the accident.

Third-Party Claims Against the Drunk Driver

If your injuries meet Michigan's "serious impairment of body function" threshold, you can pursue a lawsuit against the drunk driver for damages not covered by no-fault benefits, including:

Punitive Damages and Enhanced Recovery

While Michigan generally doesn't allow punitive damages, the fact that the defendant was driving drunk strengthens your case for full compensation. Juries view drunk driving as particularly reckless behavior, and this often translates into higher verdicts for pain and suffering.

Dram Shop Claims

Michigan's dram shop law allows victims to pursue claims against bars, restaurants, and other establishments that served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who then caused an accident. If a tavern in Ann Arbor continued serving drinks to someone who was clearly impaired, that establishment can be held liable for injuries the drunk driver caused.

Social Host Liability

In certain circumstances, individuals who host parties and serve alcohol may also bear responsibility—particularly if they provided alcohol to minors who then caused accidents.

Why Drunk Driving Cases Are Different

Drunk driving accident cases present unique legal issues that require experienced representation:

Criminal proceedings run parallel to civil claims. The drunk driver may face criminal charges including Operating While Intoxicated (OWI), which can provide valuable evidence for your civil case. Our attorneys coordinate with prosecutors and use criminal case evidence to strengthen your claim.

Blood alcohol test results are critical evidence. BAC levels, field sobriety test results, and police reports documenting the driver's impairment all support your case. We work quickly to preserve this evidence before it's lost or destroyed.

Multiple parties may share liability. Beyond the drunk driver, bars, restaurants, social hosts, or even employers (if the driver was working) may bear responsibility. We investigate every potential source of compensation.

Insurance companies fight harder. Despite clear evidence of drunk driving, insurers still attempt to minimize payouts. They may argue your injuries aren't as severe as claimed, that you share fault, or that coverage doesn't apply. We're prepared to take these battles to trial when necessary.

How We Build Strong Drunk Driving Accident Cases

Our attorneys take immediate action to protect your rights and build the strongest possible case:

We prepare every case for trial. Insurance companies know we prepare every case for trial, and that preparation produces results.

Michigan's Drunk Driving Laws

Understanding Michigan's OWI laws helps victims recognize their rights:

Criminal convictions for OWI provide powerful evidence in civil cases, but you don't need to wait for criminal proceedings to conclude before pursuing compensation.

We Take Cases Others Won't

At Logeman & Iafrate, P.C., we have a reputation for accepting challenging cases and taking on complex cases other firms turn down. Our verdicts and settlements include significant verdicts and settlements in complex drunk driving cases throughout Michigan.

We operate on a contingency-fee basis. You pay nothing unless we win your case. We offer free consultations to evaluate your claim and explain your options. When you're focused on healing, we handle the legal battles.

Time Limits for Filing Your Claim

Michigan law imposes strict deadlines for drunk driving accident claims. You must notify your own insurance company within one year to preserve your no-fault PIP benefits. For third-party lawsuits against the drunk driver, the statute of limitations is generally three years from the date of the accident.

Reach out promptly. Evidence disappears, witnesses' memories fade, and critical documentation becomes harder to obtain as time passes. Contact our Ann Arbor office as soon as possible after your accident to protect your rights.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case is decided on its own facts.

Frequently Asked Questions About Drunk Driving Accidents in Ann Arbor

Can I sue a drunk driver who hit me in Ann Arbor?

Yes. If your injuries meet Michigan's "serious impairment of body function" threshold—meaning an objectively manifested impairment of an important body function that affects your general ability to lead your normal life—you can file a third-party lawsuit against the drunk driver. This allows you to recover compensation for pain and suffering, excess economic damages, and losses not covered by your no-fault PIP benefits. Our attorneys have extensive experience proving threshold injuries in drunk driving cases.

What is Michigan's dram shop law and how does it affect my case?

Michigan's dram shop law allows injury victims to sue bars, restaurants, and other establishments that served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who then caused an accident. If a bartender at an Ann Arbor establishment continued serving drinks to someone who was clearly impaired, that business can be held liable for injuries the drunk driver caused. Dram shop claims provide an additional source of compensation beyond the driver's insurance policy.

What compensation can I recover after being hit by a drunk driver?

You may recover multiple types of compensation. First, your own auto insurance provides no-fault PIP benefits for medical expenses, wage loss, and replacement services. Second, if your injuries meet the threshold, you can sue the drunk driver for pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent disability, and excess economic damages. Third, you may have dram shop claims against establishments that overserved the driver. Our attorneys evaluate all potential sources to pursue the full compensation you're owed.

Do I need to wait for the drunk driver's criminal case to finish before filing my claim?

No. Criminal and civil cases proceed on separate tracks. You should contact a personal injury attorney immediately after your accident to begin investigating your case, preserving evidence, and protecting your rights. Criminal conviction evidence can strengthen your civil claim, but you don't need to wait for those proceedings to conclude. Michigan's statute of limitations requires filing civil claims within three years, so prompt action is essential.

What if the drunk driver who hit me doesn't have insurance or enough coverage?

If the at-fault drunk driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may still recover compensation through your own auto policy's uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage if you purchased it. Additionally, dram shop claims against bars or restaurants that overserved the driver may provide another avenue for recovery. Our attorneys investigate all potential sources of compensation to ensure you receive the full amount you deserve.

How long do I have to file a drunk driving accident claim in Ann Arbor?

You must notify your own insurance company within one year of the accident to preserve your no-fault PIP benefits. For third-party lawsuits against the drunk driver or other responsible parties, Michigan's statute of limitations is generally three years from the date of the accident. However, consulting an attorney immediately is critical—evidence disappears, witnesses become unavailable, and early investigation strengthens your case.