Why Choose
Mike Morse Law Firm
The person who decides to drive while impaired by drugs or alcohol has committed a crime. Drunk drivers must be held accountable for the injuries, pain, and suffering caused by the car crash.
The Michigan legal system provides people who have been injured by a drunk driver with compensation for their injuries, but it can be complicated. So, if you have been injured and experienced pain and suffering due to a car accident, you need a lawyer on your side.
Choose Michigan personal injury lawyers with the experience you need. Mike Morse Law Firm understands how local laws may pertain to your case, and we have successfully obtained fair settlements for other victims of drunk driving accidents.
Hire a Michigan drunk driving accident lawyer who will go the distance for you – hire Mike Morse Law Firm. Call us at (248) 350-9050 for a free consultation with an experienced attorney on the Mike Morse team.
What to Do After a Drunk Driving Car Accident
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Important to Know
When you are hit by a drunk driver, your life is turned upside down by an act of absolute criminal recklessness. While the state handles the criminal prosecution of the drunk driver, your financial and physical recovery is managed through a separate civil claim. Navigating a drunk driving injury claim in Michigan requires an understanding of several critical legal layers that directly dictate how much compensation you can recover.
1. Understanding Pain and Suffering vs. Excess Economic Damages
In Michigan, a drunk driving injury claim is split into two distinct parts: your first-party No-Fault claim and your third-party lawsuit against the drunk driver.
- Noneconomic Damages: The drunk driver can be held personally liable for your non-economic damages, which encompass your physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship, and the loss of enjoyment of life.
- Excess Economic Damages: While your own No-Fault Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance covers your standard medical bills and a portion of your wage loss, it does not cover everything. If your injuries require long-term caregiving, medical bills that exceed your policy limits, or if your lost wages exceed the state’s monthly maximum cap or extend past three years, we will pursue the drunk driver’s insurance company to pay for these “excess” economic losses.
2. Meeting Michigan’s Strict Injury Threshold
To successfully sue a drunk driver for pain and suffering, Michigan law (MCL 500.3135) requires that your injuries meet a specific legal threshold. Your compensation will heavily depend on proving that the crash caused:
- Serious Impairment of a Body Function: A objectively manifested injury that affects your ability to lead your normal life.
- Permanent Serious Disfigurement: Severe, lasting physical changes, such as surgical scarring, road rash marks, or facial injuries caused by airbag deployment.
3. How Insurance Status Can Protect or Bar Your Claim
Your right to recover compensation changes drastically depending on your insurance status at the time of the collision:
- If You Were the Uninsured Owner: Under MCL 500.3113, if you were driving your own vehicle and it was not insured under a valid Michigan No-Fault policy, you are completely barred from recovering PIP benefits and you are legally prohibited from suing the drunk driver for pain and suffering, even if the crash was 100% the drunk driver’s fault.
- If You Were an Uninsured Passenger or Pedestrian: If you did not own an uninsured vehicle involved in the crash, you are fully protected. You can still seek medical coverage through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (MACP) and bring a full third-party lawsuit against the drunk driver.
4. Special Rules for Out-of-State Residents
If you were visiting Michigan from another state and were hit by a drunk driver, your case is governed by unique statutory provisions. Non-residents cannot claim standard Michigan No-Fault PIP benefits unless they owned a vehicle that was registered and insured within the state of Michigan. However, as an out-of-state resident, you still maintain the absolute right to sue the drunk driver for both your economic losses (including all your out-of-pocket medical bills) and your non-economic pain and suffering, provided your injuries meet the state’s serious impairment threshold.
5. Holding the Establishment Accountable: Michigan Dram Shop Actions
In many drunk driving cases, the driver is not the only responsible party. Under Michigan’s Dram Shop Act (MCL 436.1801), you have the legal right to file a lawsuit against any bar, restaurant, or liquor retail establishment that unlawfully sold alcohol to the driver who hit you. To win a dram shop case, we must prove that the establishment served the driver when they were already “visibly intoxicated” or if they served a minor under the age of 21.
Pursuing a dram shop claim requires extreme urgency due to two highly restrictive statutory rules:
- The 120-Day Notice Rule: You must provide formal, written legal notice to all potential dram shop defendants within just 120 days of entering into an attorney-client relationship for the purpose of pursuing the claim. Failing to hit this window can completely destroy your right to sue the establishment.
- The Shorter 2-Year Deadline: While a standard auto negligence claim has a three-year window, a dram shop lawsuit has a strict 2-year statute of limitations from the date of the injury or death.
Drunk driving crashes are incredibly complex, and insurance companies will aggressively look for loopholes to minimize your injuries or shift the blame. At Mike Morse Law Firm, we move instantly to secure police breathalyzer results, review blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) logs, subpoena bar receipts, and pull video surveillance footage before it is deleted. We are the largest personal injury firm in Michigan, and we have recovered over $2 billion for our clients because we know how to beat the insurance companies at their own game. Call us 24/7 at 855-MIKE-WINS to secure the justice and compensation you deserve.
Backed by 5,000+ Five-Star Reviews
MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE MIKE MORSE OFFICE HAS BEEN GREAT THE FRONT DESK PEOPLE “WHEN I TELL YOU THEY ARE SO RESPECTFUL , THEY TREAT YOU LIKE FAMILY AND THEY ALWAYS HAPPY WHEN I COME IN THE OFFICE , MY ATTORNEY MR ROBERT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WINNING MY CASE AND GOING OVER AND BEYOND FOR ME AND DEALING WITH ME ALWAYS CALLING YOU AND ASKING YOU TO MANY QUESTIONS BUT YOU WAS ALWAYS THERE TO ANSWER AND NEVER MADE ME FEEL LIKE I WAS ASKING TO MANY QUESTIONS , MS JAMIE (HOPEFULLY I SPELL YOUR NAME RIGHT) THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING GOING OVER AND BEYOND YOUR SUCHA AN AMAZING PERSON , TRULY OVERALL GOOD PERSON AND THANK YOU ALSO FOR LETTING ME VENT TO YOU AND YOU JUST LISTEN TO ME AND NEVER JUDGING ” I THANK GOD FOR YOU , MIKE MORSE YOU ROCK AND THANKS FOR HAVING AMAZING PEOPLE WORKING HERE THANKS FOR MY BLANKET & BAG , & HOODIE , IM JUST SAY THIS I HOPE I NEVER GET IN ANOTHER ACCIDENT AGAIN .BUT IF I DO I WILL HIRE MIKE MORSE LAW FIRM AGAIN , I RECOMMEND MY FAMILY & FRIENDS TO MIKE MORSE LAW FIRM…
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Josh and his team were wonderful! Answered all my questions. His team was caring, understanding and professional! I would highly recommend the Mike Morse Law Firm!
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Great experience!! My first time going through something like this and they made the process smooth. Shout out to Josh, Kenny, Claire, Nichole, Jami, and the rest of staff. Very kind people that understand what you are feeling. They changed the narrative from hopeless to hopeful and I’m grateful there are such people out there to help you!!! Cheers Mike Morse law firm!!!
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Absolutely amazing team of experts treated me like family and left no questions unanswered kept me reassured nd got what I deserved. Would 100 recommend!!
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My experience with Mike Morse Law Firm has been such a comforting and amazing experience! I couldn’t have asked for a better firm to support me with my claim. I would like to thank Michael Morse and all members that helped me! I would like to personally thank Charles Kersten, Keshya Anthony, Kaylee Wilson, Kelly Casper, Barbara VanPatten, Jeff Kerby, Rhonda Calcatera, Emily Good, Alicia Hawkins-Brown, Rhonda Gibson and the front staff members as well ❤️ This group was such a phenomenal team to work with and they truly got the job done 🫶🏼
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I am extremely grateful for the outstanding work Mike Morse and his team did handling my car accident case. From start to finish, they were professional, responsive, and truly had my best interests in mind. They took the time to explain everything clearly and worked hard to secure a very favorable settlement for me. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome and would highly recommend their services to anyone needing a dedicated and trustworthy attorney. Jessica and jayden do a great job holding down the front. I had the pleasure of working with Charlie and Barbara and they did a great job of making you feel right at ease. Jami handled everything on my last day when I was there for a pick up and she took me to a swag room which was a nice little surprise at the end. I cant express what a relief it was to work with such a great team of people.
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Judy Herman was awesome! She came in with the kind of support that immediately made me feel protected and understood. She explained every step clearly, never rushed me, and always made sure I knew my rights and options. What impressed me most was how thorough and transparent she was. She stayed on top of every detail, communicated consistently, and handled my case. I felt like I had someone in my corner who genuinely cared about the outcome, not just the process. Because of her hard work and expertise, my situation was resolved with a better result than I ever expected. I’m deeply grateful, and I would recommend her to anyone who needs an attorney who is truly invested in their clients.
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Mike Morse Law Firm, along with attorneys Theresa Green and Jake Yeater, took on an electrocution case, which was outside their usual focus on car accident claims. This demonstrates their willingness to handle complex personal injury matters beyond their typical specialization. Electrocution cases often involve intricate legal and medical issues related to workplace safety, product liability, or premises liability, requiring thorough investigation and expert testimony. By taking on this type of case, the firm and these attorneys likely leveraged their personal injury expertise to advocate for the injured party, ensuring that all relevant factors—such as negligence, safety violations, and damages—were properly addressed. This approach highlights their commitment to pursuing justice for clients even in less common or more challenging types of injury claims.
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Not only was Mike Morse law firm there to comfort me during my injury from the accident, they constantly are checking up on me throughout my recovery process. Reallyaling me feel like a part of the family. I thank god everyday for Mike Morse law firm. My attorney Suzanne Strichartz is not only a very qualified attorney but also kind, caring, and heartfelt person. It's sad what happens to me getting rear ended 60mph while I was at a complete stop. I thank god everyday I'm still alive, and that I have who I have representing me. Thank you so much Mike Morse law firm you guys are more than the best, your my family. All the way from attorney to my case manager Cynthia. So nice.
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The Mike Morse team was very professional. They handled our case very smoothly and were very helpful. Lisa and Katrina were very patient and nice to work with. They always got back to us very promptly and I highly recommend their team.
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Mike Morse law firm was fantastic went above and beyond. Charlie kersten was extremely helpful and knowledgeable , friendly and went all in for my case.
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Mike Morse Law Firm has been great to work with so far. Amanda was professional, patient, and really clear in explaining the next steps and how everything works. The intake process was smooth, I felt listened to, and the communication has been timely and organized. I appreciate the support during a stressful time and I’m glad to have them on my side.
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This team of highly professional, intelligent, well educated individuals are experts. Those commercials on TV for the Mike Morse Law Firm aren't fake, they are real.
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I met Michael Morse in the early 90s when he was my attorney while he was practicing at Goodman, Gordon and Acker. Even at the early part of his career, I knew him to be a very energetic, brilliant attorney with a strong desire to win!!
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FAQs
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What is Drunk Driving?
Under Michigan law, there are several different types of DUIs. Anyone driving either a motor vehicle or watercraft with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of over 0.08 may be charged with OWI (Operating While Intoxicated). Those under 21 can be charged if there is even a trace of alcohol in their system while operating a vehicle. There is similarly no minimum BAC level for OWVI (Operating While Visibly Impaired) charges. These charges may be brought against any driver who is obviously unable to safely operate their vehicle and are typically dependent on law enforcement’s observations. Those driving a vehicle while under the influence of narcotics may be charged with OWPD (Operating With the Presence of Drugs).
The presence of one or multiple of these charges can make an accident case even more complicated, but our expert attorneys can make sure that you are aware of all of your options and rights and that you receive the compensation you are entitled to.
While it may be obvious to you who is to blame for the car crash, legally establishing a driver’s negligence and your severe personal injury can be a complicated process. Our Michigan drunk driving accident lawyers have the experience to help you understand how your claim and benefits are affected.
Our team of drunk driving accident lawyers can protect your rights and establish who is at fault. This is an important step for victims of Michigan car accidents, especially when a drunk driver is involved. Michigan is a comparative fault state. If even some of the fault for the accident is assigned to you, the drunk driver’s insurance company will only have to pay you part of the verdict. Insurance companies will fight as hard as they can to pin as much blame as they can on you to try to minimize their losses. An experienced drunk driving lawyer like those at the Mike Morse Law Firm will know how to protect you from their tricks.
Car accidents can be overwhelming. Dealing with the effects of drunk driving accidents is often even more frustrating. Michigan law is designed to protect victims of drunk drivers, but you need an advocate who knows the law to help you fight big insurance companies. The expert attorneys at the Mike Morse Law Firm are ready to help. Call us today at 855-MIKE-WINS or contact us through our website to set up a free consultation.
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Am I entitled to PIP Benefits?
You may also be entitled to PIP benefits through your No-Fault provider. Insurance companies do not want to pay you for your injuries but an experienced Michigan drunk driving accident lawyer can help defend your rights and make sure you get the compensation due to you. Since our founding in 1995, the Mike Morse Law Firm has helped our clients deal with big insurance companies and navigate Michigan’s no-fault car accident laws with great success. We have won over $1 billion for victims of car, truck, and motorcycle accidents and work hard to make sure our clients know that they are our first priority. If you were a driver or passenger involved in a drunk driving accident in Michigan, call us today at (248) 350-9050 for a free consultation.
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Are there any upfront fees to hire a lawyer?
It is free to get started with an experienced drunk driving accident lawyer. Mike Morse Law Firm does not require any upfront fees from clients. When you’ve been the victim of a drunk driving accident, your personal injury attorney will only be paid when you receive your settlement.
We do not charge you any hidden fees, and your consultation is free regarding the investigation of your case. Contact us by phone or email to schedule a session with a Michigan drunk driving accident lawyer.
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Can a DUI Accident Lawyer help Increase the Settlement?
Drunk driving accidents injure thousands of people every year. These victims may realize that an attorney can help them file their claims, but they might not know that hiring a competent DUI accident lawyer can increase settlement amounts.
Whether you’re seeking compensation from your personal injury protection policy or another insurance company, you’re more likely to obtain more compensation with a DUI accident lawyer’s assistance than if you handle your claim alone.
Uncover All Responsible Parties
Victims may assume that the driver is the only guilty party in DUI crashes, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes the person or establishment providing alcohol to the drunk driver is also liable.
Your lawyer will investigate the cause of your DUI accident, including where and how the guilty driver obtained the alcohol. If the circumstances indicate, we can pursue a dram shop action against the providers in addition to your claim against the drunk driver.
Seek All Available Damages
Insurance companies don’t want to pay more than minimal compensation for your injuries. They’re unlikely to volunteer to pay certain kinds of damages if you don’t request them. The Mike Morse legal team will assess your case, determine how much it’s worth and seek all the damages you qualify to receive. These may include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Present and future lost wages
- Costs associated with hiring caregivers
- Pain and suffering
- Inconvenience
Ask what damages you qualify for during your free case review.
Use Negotiation Skills
Many people wrongly assume that they must accept the first settlement amount an insurance company offers. Insurance carriers often suggest lowball amounts trying to take advantage of unwary victims.
Through decades of experience, the Mike Morse Law Firm knows how to negotiate with insurance companies to increase settlement amounts for our clients.
Advocate for Client Rights
Making unreasonable settlement offers isn’t the only way insurance companies can try to minimize payments to injured DUI accident victims. They may also try to:
- Assign unfair amounts of fault to injured victims
- Say that injuries weren’t sustained in the accident
- State that the injuries or their effects aren’t as severe as the victims claim
- Attempt to trick victims into making statements that can damage their cases
- Present paperwork with hidden language for signatures
When you hire the Mike Morse Law Firm, we can handle all communications with insurance companies on your behalf. We won’t put up with underhanded strategies and tactics; we will always fight for our client’s right to fair compensation.
File a Civil Lawsuit
Most DUI accident claims settle without needing to pursue them in court. However, your Mike Morse legal team will suggest filing a civil suit and taking your case to trial if we believe it’s in your best interests. A court case might be warranted if:
- Insurance companies deny your claim
- The carrier refuses to offer a reasonable settlement
- Your accident involves specific kinds of damages
Trials are complex, and the Mike Morse Law Firm won’t suggest taking this course of action unless it’s warranted. Increasing your monetary settlement is one of our primary goals.
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$9,600,000
Motorcycle Accident
Wayne County
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$6,061,440
Truck Accident
Wayne County
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$5,425,000
Truck Accident
Genessee County
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$4,690,663
Auto Accident
Oakland County
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$9,600,000
Motorcycle Accident
Wayne County
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$6,061,440
Truck Accident
Wayne
-
$5,425,000
Truck Accident
Genessee County
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What to Do When You've Suffered an Accident Involving A Drunk Driver
In the days and weeks that follow a drunk driving accident, it is common to feel anxious and overwhelmed. You deserve compensation for the pain and suffering you have suffered following your injuries, but the process to file a claim, communicate with insurance companies, and understand your legal options may feel like too much to handle alone.
That is why the team at Mike Morse Law Firm is here to help 24/7. We pride ourselves on providing our clients with legal representation they can rely on, and we are always ready to go the distance to help our clients.
Need answers? We are available to answer all the questions you may have, including information on your insurance policies, the statute of limitations for claims in Michigan, and whether or not you should file a lawsuit after your accident.
With over 25 years of experience in defending personal injury victims, we are well-versed in Michigan laws and have the resources and knowledge needed to fight for you. Let our local drunk driving accident lawyers put their expertise to work for you and your family.
Call us today at 855-MIKE-WINS to talk with one of our drunk driving accident lawyers in a free consultation. We are also available 24/7 by text at 833-898-6453.
Additional Resources
- How is Fault Determined in a Multi-Vehicle Accident?
- Car Accident Lawyer in Detroit, MI
- Minor Car Accident Lawyer
- Side Swipe Car Accident
- Can I Get Arrested for DUI in a Self-Driving Car?
- How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
- Detroit Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
- Police Chase Car Accident Lawyer
- What Damages Can I Collect For a Car Accident?
- Can You Be Drunk in a Self-Driving Car?
- How Can I Find a Good Car Accident Lawyer?
- Is It Worth Hiring A Car Accident Lawyer
- Reckless Driving Car Accident Lawyer
- What Happens If I Am at Fault For a Car Accident?
- Wage Loss Benefits
- Fatal Car Accidents Lawyer
- Self-Driving Car Accident Lawyer
- Car Accident Negligence Lawyer
- Rear-End Accidents
- Michigan Laws for Teen Drivers
- Uber, Lyft & Taxi Accidents
