Washtenaw County Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys

Drunk driving accidents shatter lives in an instant. When an impaired driver crashes into your vehicle, the consequences are devastating—catastrophic injuries, mounting medical bills, lost wages, and trauma that affects your entire family. In Washtenaw County, where communities like Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Saline depend on safe roadways, drunk drivers put everyone at risk.

At Logeman & Iafrate, P.C., we've spent more than 45 years fighting for drunk driving accident victims across Washtenaw County and throughout Michigan. We understand the unique anger and frustration you feel when someone's reckless choice to drive drunk destroys your life. Our attorneys are prepared to hold negligent drivers accountable and pursue every dollar of compensation you deserve.

Michigan's Strict Drunk Driving Laws

Michigan takes drunk driving seriously. Under Michigan law, a driver is legally intoxicated with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. Commercial drivers face a lower threshold of 0.04%, and drivers under 21 face zero tolerance with a limit of 0.02%.

Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) carries serious criminal penalties including jail time, license suspension, and substantial fines. But criminal prosecution doesn't compensate you for your injuries. That's where a civil personal injury lawsuit becomes essential.

Compensation Available to Drunk Driving Victims

If you've been injured by a drunk driver in Washtenaw County, Michigan law allows you to pursue compensation through multiple avenues:

• No-fault PIP benefits from your own insurance company for medical expenses, wage loss (up to 85% of gross income), and replacement services—regardless of who caused the crash
• Third-party liability claims against the drunk driver for pain and suffering, excess medical expenses, and damages beyond your PIP coverage
• Dram shop claims against bars, restaurants, and social hosts who illegally served alcohol to the intoxicated driver
• Punitive damages in cases of extreme recklessness or repeated drunk driving offenses

Michigan's threshold requirement for third-party claims requires proving your injuries caused a "serious impairment of body function"—an objectively manifested impairment of an important body function that affects your general ability to lead your normal life. Our attorneys have extensive experience meeting this threshold and maximizing recovery.

Holding Drunk Drivers Accountable

Drunk driving cases require immediate investigation. Critical evidence disappears quickly—police reports, toxicology results, witness statements, and surveillance footage from bars or accident scenes. We begin working on your case immediately, identifying all sources of compensation and building the strongest possible claim.

Our investigation includes:

• Obtaining police reports and chemical test results documenting intoxication
• Reviewing bar tabs and credit card receipts to identify where the driver was served
• Interviewing witnesses who observed the driver's impairment
• Working with accident reconstruction experts to prove causation
• Identifying all available insurance coverage, including umbrella policies

Dram Shop Liability in Michigan

Michigan's dram shop law holds alcohol vendors liable when they serve obviously intoxicated patrons who then cause injury. If a bar, restaurant, or party store in Washtenaw County served an already-intoxicated driver who crashed into you, the establishment may be liable for your damages.

Social host liability also exists in Michigan when adults furnish alcohol to minors who then cause accidents. If a house party in Ann Arbor or Ypsilanti provided alcohol to an underage driver who injured you, the hosts may face liability.

These claims provide additional sources of compensation when the drunk driver's insurance is insufficient to cover your damages.

Common Injuries in Drunk Driving Crashes

Drunk drivers cause particularly severe collisions. Impaired reaction times, excessive speeds, and failure to brake before impact create catastrophic crashes resulting in:

• Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Multiple bone fractures
• Internal organ damage
• Severe burns in post-collision fires
• Wrongful death

These injuries require extensive medical treatment, long-term rehabilitation, and ongoing care. Our attorneys work with life care planners and medical experts to document the full extent of your damages and fight for compensation that covers not just your current needs but your future requirements.

Why Choose Logeman & Iafrate for Your Washtenaw County Case

Insurance companies know our reputation. When they see our name on a drunk driving case, they know we're prepared to go to trial. We don't settle quickly just to avoid the courtroom. We prepare every case for trial from day one, and that preparation shows in our results.

Our verdicts and settlements include significant verdicts and settlements for clients throughout Washtenaw County and Michigan. Including a $1.9 million dram shop recovery for a college student injured by a drunk driver, we've spent decades fighting for injured clients who deserve justice.

We work on a contingency-fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. During one of the most challenging times of your life, you shouldn't worry about legal fees. Focus on your recovery. We'll handle the fight.

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Drunk Driver Accidents in Washtenaw County

What should I do immediately after being hit by a drunk driver in Washtenaw County?

First, call 911 to report the accident and ensure police document the scene—including any signs of driver intoxication. Seek immediate medical attention even if injuries seem minor, as some symptoms appear later. Do not confront the drunk driver, as they may be volatile or combative. Collect contact information from witnesses and photograph the scene if safely possible. Report the accident to your own insurance company within one year to preserve your no-fault PIP benefits. Contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible to begin investigating your claim and preserving critical evidence.

Can I sue the bar that served the drunk driver in Washtenaw County?

Yes, under Michigan's dram shop law. If a bar, restaurant, or alcohol vendor in Washtenaw County served an already-intoxicated patron who then caused your accident, the establishment may be liable for your damages. You must prove the driver was visibly intoxicated when served and that the vendor knew or should have known the person was intoxicated. These claims are complex and require prompt investigation to obtain bar tabs, surveillance footage, and witness statements before evidence disappears.

How does a drunk driving accident case differ from a regular car accident case in Michigan?

Drunk driving cases often involve enhanced damages due to the driver's reckless conduct. Criminal prosecution of the drunk driver provides valuable evidence for your civil case, including police reports, breathalyzer results, and field sobriety test documentation. Michigan law may allow punitive damages in cases of extreme recklessness. Additionally, drunk driving cases frequently involve dram shop claims against alcohol vendors, providing additional sources of compensation beyond the driver's insurance.

What if the drunk driver who hit me had no insurance or minimal coverage?

You can pursue compensation through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if you purchased it as part of your auto policy. You may also have dram shop claims against bars or social hosts who served the driver. Our attorneys identify all available sources of recovery, including umbrella policies, homeowner's insurance, and business liability coverage. In cases involving severe injuries and insufficient insurance, we explore every option to pursue the full compensation you're owed.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a drunk driving accident in Washtenaw County?

Michigan's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally three years from the date of the accident. However, you must report the accident to your own no-fault insurer within one year to preserve your PIP benefits. Drunk driving cases require immediate investigation to preserve evidence, obtain police reports and toxicology results, and identify responsible parties. We strongly recommend consulting an attorney as soon as possible after your accident to protect your rights and strengthen your claim.