Grand Rapids Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

GOODMAN ACKER. GOOD DECISION.

Victims of drunk driving accidents in Grand Rapids deserve justice and compensation. The legal team at Goodman Acker P.C. is committed to holding intoxicated drivers accountable and helping you recover from your injuries. Whether you were hit on busy Division Avenue, involved in a collision on US-131, or struck by an impaired driver near John Ball Zoo, our experienced legal team is here to fight for your rights. 

Don’t let a drunk driver’s reckless behavior derail your life. Contact an experienced Grand Rapids drunk driving accident lawyer from Goodman Acker P.C. today for a free consultation and learn how we can help you get the compensation you deserve.

Grand Rapids Drunk Driving Accidents Guide

• Grand Rapids Drunk Driving Statistics
• Criminal Drunk Driving Charges vs. Personal Injury Claims
• Who May Be Held Liable in a Grand Rapids Drunk Driving Accident Case?
• What Damages are Available to Drunk Driving Accident Victims in Grand Rapids
• What is the Deadline for Filing a Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuit in Grand Rapids?
• How Can a Lawyer Help with My Grand Rapids Drunk Driving Accident Claim?
• Contact the Grand Rapids Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers at Goodman Acker PC Today

Why Choose Goodman Acker PC for Your Grand Rapids Drunk Driving Accident Claim?

Goodman Acker P.C. brings a wealth of experience and a track record of success to your Grand Rapids drunk driving accident claim. Our Grand Rapids personal injury attorneys have achieved numerous million-dollar verdicts and settlements, demonstrating our relentlessness in securing maximum compensation for our clients.

We understand the complexities of drunk driving cases and the devastating impact they can have on victims and their families. Our team will leverage this experience to build a strong case on your behalf, ensuring that every aspect of your claim is thoroughly investigated and presented.

Our firm is deeply invested in the Grand Rapids community and understands the local legal landscape. This local knowledge, combined with our statewide resources, allows us to navigate your case effectively, whether it involves negotiations with insurance companies or litigation in Michigan courts. We’re not just lawyers but advocates dedicated to making our roads safer and holding drunk drivers accountable.

At Goodman Acker P.C., we pride ourselves on our client-centered approach. We understand that you’re going through a challenging time, and we’re here to provide not just legal representation but also support and guidance throughout the process. Our team is known for its honesty, ethics, and tireless work ethic. We’ll keep you informed at every stage of your case, answer your questions promptly, and fight relentlessly to ensure you receive the compensation you need to recover and move forward with your life.

Grand Rapids Drunk Driving Statistics

Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol is a nationwide issue that doesn’t elude Michigan or Grand Rapids. According to Michigan’s Traffic Crash Reporting System, roughly 9,000 crashes occur in the state year involving a driver under the influence of alcohol, resulting in about 300 fatalities. An additional 2,500 crashes involving drivers under the influence of drugs resulted in 256 fatalities. Among these, 783 alcohol-related crashes and 150 drug-related crashes happened in Kent County last year alone, resulting in a total of 42 fatalities and 515 injuries.

Should I Accept the First Offer from the Insurance Company?

After a drunk driving accident in Grand Rapids, you may receive a settlement offer from the insurance company. While it might be tempting to accept this offer quickly to cover immediate expenses, it’s generally not in your best interest to accept the first offer. Here’s why:

• Initial Offers Are Often Low: Insurance companies typically start with a low offer, hoping you’ll accept less than your claim is worth.
• Full Extent of Damages May Be Unknown: Early in your recovery, it’s difficult to know the full extent of your injuries and long-term medical needs.
• Future Costs Aren’t Considered: Initial offers rarely account for potential future medical treatments, lost wages, or long-term impacts on your quality of life.
• You Waive Further Claims: Accepting an offer usually requires signing a release, waiving your right to seek additional compensation later.
• Complexity of Drunk Driving Cases: OWI cases often involve multiple liable parties and the potential for punitive damages, which may not be factored into an initial offer.

At Goodman Acker PC, we recommend having any insurance offer reviewed by an experienced attorney before accepting. Our Grand Rapids drunk driving accident lawyers can assess whether the offer truly compensates you for all your damages. We’re skilled negotiators who can often secure a significantly higher settlement than the initial offer.

Criminal Drunk Driving Charges vs. Personal Injury Claims

In Michigan, what’s commonly known as a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) or DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) is legally termed OWI (Operating While Impaired). Despite this official terminology, many Michigan residents still use DUI or DWI due to their prevalence in other states and popular culture. 

Regardless of the acronym used, the legal and personal consequences of a drunk driving accident can be severe, often resulting in both criminal charges and civil claims. Here’s how the two differ:

Criminal OWI Charges

The state prosecutes criminal OWI charges to punish the impaired driver and deter future offenses. These charges can result in serious consequences, including fines, license suspension, and imprisonment. The prosecution must prove guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt,” a high legal standard. While victims may be called as witnesses in these cases, they don’t have control over the prosecution or its outcomes.

Personal Injury Claims

On the other hand, personal injury claims are filed by the accident victim or their family. These civil actions seek compensation for injuries and losses resulting from the drunk driving incident. Damages may cover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The burden of proof in these cases is lower, requiring only a “preponderance of evidence” – meaning it’s more likely than not that the defendant is responsible. Importantly, victims have control over the direction of their personal injury case.

Facing Both Criminal and Civil Consequences

An impaired driver can face both criminal OWI charges and civil personal injury claims simultaneously. Even if a driver isn’t convicted of an OWI in criminal court, they can still be held liable for civil damages in Michigan. The lower burden of proof in civil cases means that victims may still recover compensation even if criminal charges don’t result in a conviction.

Who May Be Held Liable in a Grand Rapids Drunk Driving Accident Case?

In a Grand Rapids drunk driving accident case, liability may extend beyond just the impaired driver. Understanding all potential parties who could be held responsible is crucial for ensuring full compensation for victims. Here are the parties who may be held liable:

The Impaired Driver

The most obvious liable party is the intoxicated driver who caused the accident. They can be held responsible for damages in a civil lawsuit, regardless of the outcome of any criminal proceedings.

Bars or Restaurants (Dram Shop Liability)

Under Michigan’s dram shop laws, establishments that serve alcohol can be held liable if they serve visibly intoxicated persons or minors who then cause an accident. This could include restaurants or bars.

Social Hosts

If the drunk driver was served alcohol at a private party, the host might be held liable under certain circumstances, especially if they served alcohol to minors.

Vehicle Owners

In some cases, the owner of the vehicle driven by the impaired person could be held liable, even if they weren’t present during the accident.

Employers

If the drunk driver was operating a company vehicle or was on company business at the time of the accident, their employer might share liability.

Government Entities

In rare cases, if poor road conditions or malfunctioning traffic signals contributed to the accident, local government agencies responsible for road maintenance might be partially liable.

What Damages are Available to Drunk Driving Accident Victims in Grand Rapids

Victims of drunk driving accidents in Grand Rapids may be entitled to various types of compensation, depending on the specifics of their case and the extent of their injuries. These may include:

Economic Damages

Economic damages refer to quantifiable financial losses directly resulting from an accident or injury, such as

• Medical expenses (current and future)
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Property damage (e.g., vehicle repair or replacement)
• Rehabilitation costs
• Home modification expenses for permanent disabilities

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages encompass intangible losses that affect a victim’s quality of life and emotional well-being, such as:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium (for spouses)

Punitive Damages

In cases of extreme negligence or particularly egregious behavior, punitive damages may also be awarded. These are intended to punish the drunk driver and deter similar conduct in the future.

Wrongful Death Damages

When a drunk driving accident tragically results in a fatality, the victim’s family may have grounds for a wrongful death claim. In Michigan, these claims are designed to compensate the deceased’s loved ones for their loss and hold the responsible parties accountable. Potential damages include:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical costs incurred before death
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship and emotional support
• Pain and suffering of the deceased before death
• Loss of services the deceased provided to the family

While no amount of compensation can truly make up for the loss of a loved one, a wrongful death claim can provide financial stability and a sense of justice for the family left behind.

What is the Deadline for Filing a Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuit in Grand Rapids?

Understanding the deadline, or statute of limitations, for filing a drunk driving accident lawsuit in Grand Rapids is crucial to protecting your legal rights. In Michigan, the following timelines apply:

Personal Injury Claims

The statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including those arising from drunk driving accidents, is generally three years from the date of the accident. This means you have three years to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver or other liable parties.

Wrongful Death Claims

If the drunk driving accident resulted in a fatality, the deadline for filing a wrongful death lawsuit is also three years, typically starting from the date of death.

No-Fault Insurance Claims

Under Michigan’s no-fault insurance system, you must file claims against your own insurance company within one year of the accident for specific benefits like medical expenses and lost wages.

Property Damage Claims

If you’re seeking compensation for vehicle damage, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.

While these are the general deadlines, certain circumstances can affect the statute of limitations. Given these complexities, it’s advisable to consult with a Grand Rapids drunk driving accident lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. 

How Can a Lawyer Help with My Grand Rapids Drunk Driving Accident Claim?

A lawyer with Goodman Acker PC can help with your Grand Rapids drunk driving accident claim in several crucial ways:

Contact the Grand Rapids Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers at Goodman Acker PC Today

Drunk driving accidents can have devastating consequences, leaving victims to face physical, emotional, and financial challenges. In Grand Rapids and throughout Michigan, the law allows victims to seek justice and compensation. However, navigating the legal system, dealing with insurance companies, and understanding your rights can be overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to recover from injuries.

If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a drunk driving accident in Grand Rapids, Contact Goodman Acker PC today at (248) 831-1507 or through our online form for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our Grand Rapids drunk driving accident lawyers are ready to fight tirelessly for the compensation you deserve.

Goodman Acker P.C. – Grand Rapids Office

1500 E Beltline Ave SE #235
Grand Rapids, MI 49506

Phone: (248) 831-1507

LEGALLY REVIEWED BY BARRY J. GOODMAN

Barry J. Goodman has devoted his professional life to keeping courthouse doors open for victims seeking justice. Always a tireless advocate for his own clients, Goodman sees his responsibility as a Detroit personal injury attorney in a broader sense as well. [ Attorney Bio ]