Michigan Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers, Accident Analysis, Dram Shop Law & Prevention

In Michigan, any driver with blood-alcohol absorption (BAC) above .08 percent is considered "per se intoxicated" under the law. Driving under the influence is a serious offense and is the cause of many wrongful deaths in Michigan.

The number of car accidents related to alcohol in Michigan is significant and the injuries from those accidents are often severe. The statistics were tailored by Michigan Traffic Crash Facts and are worth noting.

There were a total of 11,068 alcohol related accidents in the year of 2008. Of those traffic crashes, 5,700 people were injured and 317 people were killed. Statistics show that that the largest number of accidents occurred on Saturday's and Sunday's.

Between the hour of 12:00 a.m. and 2:59 a.m., most car accidents occurred while the months of June (415) and August (426) proved to be the most dangerous months for driving, the most auto accidents occur in those months.

As a resource here are a list of ways you can protect yourself so that you may not become a victim of drunk driver:

-Volunteer to be a designated driver

-Always use a safety seat belt

-Use four-lane highways whenever possible

-Avoid travel after midnight (especially on Friday's and Saturday's)

-Drive defensively

-Choose vehicles with airbags

-Refer to safety ratings before selecting your next vehicle

-Never drive when fatigued

-Don't do anything that would distract you from keeping your full attention on the road (i.e. talking on the phone, texting, eating, putting on make-up)

-Steer clear of aggressive drivers

The Michigan Dram shop law requires that an investigation into the accident begin as soon as possible. It also requires that the bar or restaurant in question be notified within a very narrow period. Our Michigan drunk driver accident lawyers will hire private investigators to interview witnesses and other bar patrons to prove that the establishment served alcohol to an intoxicated motorist shortly before the accident. A delay in beginning this investigation may result in difficulty tracking down these witnesses later, or may mean that the time limit for naming the bar expires. Therefore, a person injured because of a drunk driver should call an attorney immediately to begin working on the case. This also applies to families seeking compensation for the wrongful death of a loved one in a fatal drunk driving accident

Victims of drunk driving accidents do have legal rights and should pursue them immediately after the accident. When choosing your Michigan lawyer, it is key to choose the right lawyer so that you may receive a fair settlement. Your drunk driving accident lawyer can also help you receive all of your No-Fault Insurance benefits, including medical expenses, lost wages, attendant care services, and other benefits.


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Lawrence J. Buckfire is a Michigan drunk driver accident lawyer that represents the rights of victims of drunk driving car accident cases. You can also request a free copy of the book, "The Michigan Drunk Driving Accident Handbook," to learn more about your legal rights after being injured in a Michigan alcohol related accident.