Criminal and civil cases differ
The prosecutor handles punishment. Your civil claim handles PIP, liability, insurance, damages, and family-loss proof.
Hit By A Drunk Driver In Michigan?
Call Before BAC, Bar, Video, Or Insurance Evidence Goes Missing
Tell us where the crash happened, whether police made an OWI arrest, what insurance exists, and whether a bar, restaurant, party, or event may have served the driver.
- $300M+ Recovered for Michigan clients
- 400+ 5-star ratings across review platforms
- $0 Upfront. No fee unless we recover
- 1989 Serving Michigan since
- 10 Offices across Michigan
- 24/7 Free case review, any time
What You Need to Know First
Should You Wait For The Drunk Driver’s Criminal Case?
You do not have to wait for the criminal OWI case to end to ask about your civil injury claim. No-Fault benefits, a claim against the driver, and any supported bar or other-party claim involve separate evidence, coverage, and deadlines. An arrest alone does not establish every part of a civil case.
Dram shop may matter
If a licensed seller served a visibly intoxicated person who caused the crash, Michigan dram shop issues may need immediate review.
Save the police report number, insurer messages, and any information about where the driver was drinking. You do not need the blood-alcohol results or a completed prosecution to start a review.
It costs nothing to find out where you stand.
Since 1989
We Review The OWI Case, Civil Claim, Insurance, And Dram Shop Path Together.
A criminal OWI case does not automatically protect your civil claim. PIP, serious-injury proof, bar evidence, receipts, surveillance, witness names, and insurance coverage need separate review.
Police and BAC evidence
Crash report, bodycam, test records, citations, arraignment, toxicology, and witness statements.
Dram shop evidence
Service history, receipts, surveillance, staff witnesses, visible intoxication, and timeline reconstruction.
PIP and UM/UIM
Medical bills, wage loss, replacement services, policy notice, liability limits, and underinsured coverage.
Serious damages proof
Treatment, surgery, TBI, scarring, disability, work loss, family loss, and future care.
The process
What happens when you call.
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Tell us what happened
Start with when and where you were hurt, your injuries, and your main concern. You do not need every record before you call.
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Discuss what needs attention
We ask about the people involved, any letters or offers you received, and information that could affect the next step.
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Understand your options
We explain whether we may be able to help, what information is still needed, and what representation would involve.
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Decide whether to move forward
A consultation does not commit you to hiring us. Representation begins only after conflict review and a written engagement agreement.
Michigan Legal Center
Our results
The cases. The work.
The difference it made.
$1.435M
Motorcyclist hit by a drunk driver; brain and spine injuries
The collision caused a traumatic brain injury and fractures in the lumbar spine.
$5.2M
Teacher rear-ended by a city work van
A teacher suffered brain and spinal injuries when a Detroit city van hit his stopped car. The City offered $25,000 before trial; a Wayne County jury awarded $5.2 million.
$1.25M
Fatal rear-end crash
A speeding driver struck the vehicle from behind. The wrongful-death recovery included the available underinsured motorist policy limits.
Client reviews
What our clients say
In their own words. Read what clients and families say about working with our team.
★★★★★
I had a rear end collision with a driver in a Ford F-150 pick up truck and I had multiple surgeries and quite a few medical bills that Ryan Ford worked with multiple providers to ensure the medical bills were paid for.
★★★★★
I loved everything about my experience!!! From start to finish I was always in communication with staff & any concerns or questions I had were handled adequately! Thank you so much for everything. Car accidents are scary but you all made this process so easy & fought hard for me to get paid
★★★★★
Christopher Trainor & Associates represented my mother in an extremely tragic car accident. The insurance company was resistant on paying out her law suit, and the team won our case! Thank you so much for your representation!!
Focus On Your Recovery. Get Help With Your Claim.
Treatment, bills, and insurance questions can arrive at once. We can review your situation and explain how legal help may fit into your recovery.
30-second case check
Is It Time To Review A Michigan Drunk Driving Accident Claim?
Use this practical screen to identify the first drunk driving accident facts, records, and legal questions worth reviewing. It does not calculate a deadline. No sign-up and no dollar estimate. Your answers are only included if you submit the free case review below. The result is general information, not legal advice.
Question 1 of 5
Free case review
Talk Through The Drunk Driving Accident Facts Before Records Or Options Change.
Share what happened, how it has affected you, and a phone number or email where we can reach you. You can ask for a review before you have every report or insurance document.
- No fee unless we recover. No retainer or hourly bill.
- 400+ 5-star ratings. Across Google and leading review platforms.
Tell Us What Police Found. We Will Tell You What Civil Evidence Still Needs Work.
We couldn’t send your request. You can also call (248) 886-8650.
Response within 24 hours
Legal details
Michigan Drunk Driving Accident Law, PIP, And Dram Shop Issues
The main point: drunk-driver fault is only one part of the civil case. Coverage, damages, bar evidence, and deadlines still need careful review.
The full breakdown Michigan law, deadlines, evidence, and recovery issues
Drunk Driving Claims Often Have More Than One Defendant Or Policy.
The driver may be obvious, but the coverage and evidence map can be much larger.
Driver arrested for OWI
We track criminal records while preserving independent civil proof and insurance rights.
Bar or restaurant served alcohol
We review Michigan dram shop requirements, service evidence, video, receipts, and witnesses.
Uninsured or underinsured driver
We review UM/UIM policy language, notice, consent-to-settle, and coverage gaps.
Fatal or catastrophic crash
We review wrongful death, survivor benefits, probate authority, and high-value damages proof.
Key Michigan Rules, Deadlines, And Evidence
Michigan drunk driving injury cases may involve OWI evidence under MCL 257.625, No-Fault PIP, serious-impairment claims, dram shop review under MCL 436.1801, UM/UIM policy language, and wrongful-death issues.
OWI evidence
BAC, toxicology, officer observations, bodycam, citations, pleas, and crash reconstruction can support civil liability but do not replace damages proof.
Dram shop
MCL 436.1801 may allow claims against a licensed seller in limited circumstances. The statute includes a two-year filing period, written notice generally due within 120 days after the attorney-client relationship begins for that claim, and a rule requiring the minor or allegedly intoxicated person to be named and retained.
Social-host claims are narrower
A private adult host is not treated like a licensed retailer. MCL 436.1701 can matter when an adult furnished alcohol to a minor; ordinary service to another adult does not automatically create a social-host claim.
No-Fault benefits
PIP benefits can cover medical care and wage loss while the civil claim against the drunk driver or another defendant proceeds.
Serious impairment
MCL 500.3135 threshold review may still apply to pain-and-suffering claims after a motor-vehicle crash.
Policy gaps
UM/UIM, umbrella, household, employer, and commercial coverage should be reviewed when liability limits are too low.
10 offices statewide
Serving clients across Michigan.
Meet by phone, video, or at any of our Michigan offices.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions: Michigan Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Should I wait for the criminal OWI case to finish before calling a lawyer?
No. The civil claim has separate evidence, insurance, and deadline issues. Waiting can make bar video, witness information, and crash evidence harder to preserve.
Can I sue a bar after a drunk driving crash in Michigan?
Possibly, but dram shop claims are fact-specific and time-sensitive. Michigan’s Dram Shop Act generally uses a two-year filing period, written notice within 120 days after entering an attorney-client relationship for that claim, and a rule requiring the minor or allegedly intoxicated person to be named and retained. Visible intoxication, service evidence, receipts, video, and witness testimony also matter.
Does No-Fault apply if the other driver was drunk?
Yes, if no exclusion applies. PIP benefits are separate from fault and may cover medical care, wage loss, and replacement services.
What if the drunk driver had no insurance or too little insurance?
Review any applicable UM/UIM policy and supported claims against other responsible parties before settling or signing a release. PIP benefits are separate. The Michigan Assigned Claims Plan may provide PIP benefits when its requirements are met; it does not replace missing liability insurance or pay pain-and-suffering damages.
Can the criminal conviction help my civil case?
It can help with fault evidence, but the civil case still needs proof of causation, injuries, damages, coverage, and any additional defendants.
Our Team Approach
Every case at Christopher Trainor & Associates is a team effort. Our attorneys collaborate on strategy, discovery, and litigation so you get the full strength of the firm behind you—not just a single lawyer. We have built our practice on this collaborative model since 1989.
Meet Our AttorneysRelated resources
Car Accidents No-Fault PIP, serious-impairment, UM/UIM, and crash evidence after a Michigan collision. Learn More Uninsured And Underinsured Motorist Claims UM/UIM policy language, hit-and-run proof, consent-to-settle issues, and liability-limit gaps. Learn More Wrongful Death Estate authority, family-loss proof, survivor benefits, and evidence preservation after a fatal injury. Learn More Truck Accidents Semis, tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, big rigs, motor carriers, trucking-company liability, and company-controlled evidence. Learn More Pedestrian Accidents Crosswalk, visibility, PIP priority, serious-injury, and hit-and-run issues after a pedestrian crash. Learn More Bicycle Accidents Cyclist roadway rights, PIP priority, driver fault, hit-and-run coverage, and serious-injury proof. Learn More Personal Injury Start here when the injury claim needs routing across insurance, liability, evidence, and deadline issues. Learn More
In-depth guide Can You Sue A Bar Or Drunk Driver After A Michigan Crash? Civil claims against an impaired driver, No-Fault benefits, and Michigan dram-shop requirements. Read guide In-depth guide What Is An OWI In Michigan? Michigan OWI terminology, the separate civil claim, PIP, evidence, and potential claims against alcohol sellers. Read guide In-depth guide Michigan UM/UIM Coverage After A Crash How optional uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage differs from No-Fault PIP benefits. Read guide In-depth guide Michigan Wrongful Death Deadlines How probate authority, saving statutes, government notice, malpractice timing, and insurance deadlines can overlap. Read guide