When a drunk driver causes serious injuries, Kajy Law fights for your full and fair compensation. 10 attorneys. 35+ staff. A singular focus on accident cases.
$100M+ Recovered | 5,000+ Cases Won | 98% Success Rate | No Fee Unless We Win
Injured in an Accident? Call Kajy Law Now!
A crash caused by a drunk driver brings physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial strain. You are dealing with medical bills, missed work, and questions about what comes next. The driver who hit you made a reckless choice, and you are paying the price.
Our Sterling Heights drunk driving accident lawyers help injured victims and their families pursue maximum compensation from every available source. We handle all aspects of your claim from initial consultation to case resolution, so you can focus on recovering.
Kajy Law does not charge anything for our services unless we win your case. We come to you if you cannot come to us. And we treat every client like family.
Why Do I Need a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer?
The short answer: A drunk driving crash is different from a typical car accident. The at-fault driver broke the law by driving impaired, which may open doors to additional compensation beyond standard insurance claims.
Extensive research shows that you will likely recover significantly more money by working with a lawyer, even after attorney fees. The Insurance Research Council (IRC), a non-profit organization, found that people with legal representation receive settlements 3.5 times higher than those who handle claims alone.
The same research shows that 85% of all insurance payouts for bodily injury claims go to people who hired a lawyer.
Insurance companies employ trained adjusters whose job is to minimize what they pay you. A Kajy Law attorney levels the playing field by:
- Calculating the full value of your claim, including future medical care, lost earning capacity, and long-term pain and suffering
- Negotiating from a position of knowledge and experience, not accepting lowball offers
- Presenting a credible threat of trial, which forces insurers to negotiate in good faith
The math is clear: even after paying attorney fees, injured people with legal representation almost always take home more money than those who go it alone.
Hear From Our Clients
Why Sterling Heights Trusts Kajy Law for Drunk Driving Accident Cases
Most law firms treat accident cases as one part of a general practice. Kajy Law focuses exclusively on car, truck, and motorcycle accidents. That focus gives us an edge when handling drunk driving injury claims.
A Team Built for Accident Cases
With 10 attorneys and more than 35 legal professionals, we staff every case with the resources it needs. You will not wait months for a return phone call or get passed between case managers.
Local Knowledge in Macomb County
We know the roads, the courts, and the patterns. Hall Road. Van Dyke. The 41-A District Court, where criminal OWI cases are heard. This local knowledge helps us build stronger civil claims.
Direct Access to Your Attorney
You work directly with a Kajy Law attorney who knows your case inside and out. When you have questions, you get answers from someone who can actually help.
We Come to You
If your injuries prevent you from traveling, our team will meet you at your home, the hospital, or wherever works best. Your recovery comes first.
These advantages add up. When you are recovering from injuries caused by a drunk driver, you need a legal team that can move quickly and fight effectively on your behalf.
Schedule Your Free Case ReviewHow Serious Is Drunk Driving in Sterling Heights and Macomb County?
Impaired driving accounts for a small share of total crashes but a much larger share of fatal ones. In one recent year, Macomb County saw:
- 277 crashes involving alcohol, either alone or combined with drugs
- 18 fatalities in alcohol-related crashes
- 276 people injured in crashes involving impaired drivers
While alcohol-related crashes represent about 6% of all injury crashes in the county, they account for roughly 25% of fatal crashes. Impairment dramatically increases crash severity. If you were hurt by a drunk driver in Sterling Heights, you have legal options that our Sterling Heights attorneys can explain.
What Types of Drunk Driving Accident Claims Does Kajy Law Handle?
Many states use the term DUI or “driving under the influence” for drunk driving cases. This term is also widely used in Michigan, but for official purposes, it’s referred to as OWI, or “operating while intoxicated.” We’ll use both terms interchangeably here.
Our Sterling Heights DUI accident lawyers handle all types of impaired driving injury cases, including crashes involving alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both.
Claims Against the Drunk Driver
When a driver operates a vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) above Michigan's legal limit, they have committed a crime. In civil court, that same conduct supports a claim for negligence and may qualify as "negligence per se," which can strengthen your case.
Dram Shop Claims Against Bars and Restaurants
Under Michigan's dram shop law (MCL 436.1801), a bar, restaurant, or store that serves alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person may share liability if that person later causes a crash. These cases go beyond the actions of the drunk driver and focus on whether a business continued serving alcohol when clear signs of intoxication were present, such as slurred speech, unsteady movement, or erratic behavior.
Dram shop claims can significantly increase the compensation available in your case because they often involve commercial insurance policies with higher coverage limits than an individual driver’s policy. However, these claims are also more complex.
Michigan law requires specific evidence to prove that the establishment knew or should have known the person was visibly intoxicated at the time of service. If a bar or restaurant contributed to the crash, we pursue every available path to hold them accountable and maximize your recovery.
Wrongful Death Claims
When you lose someone you love to a drunk driving crash, you are not just facing unexpected expenses. You are dealing with the absence of someone who mattered deeply in your daily life. The impact reaches every part of your family, from emotional loss to financial uncertainty.
While no legal claim can replace what you have lost, a wrongful death case can help ease the financial burden and hold the responsible party accountable during this already difficult time.
Your family may be able to recover compensation for funeral and burial costs, loss of income and support, and the loss of companionship, guidance, and care your loved one provided.
Our team approaches these cases with sensitivity, compassion, and close attention to your family’s needs. We take on the legal process so you can focus on your family and the time you need to grieve.
Each type of claim has its own legal requirements and deadlines. One of our experienced Sterling Heights drunk driving accident attorneys can review your case and explain your options.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Drunk Driving Accident?
Michigan's no-fault system provides certain benefits through your own insurance, regardless of fault. Beyond that, you may pursue additional compensation from the drunk driver.
No-Fault Benefits from Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Your Personal Injury Protection coverage pays medical expenses, a portion of lost wages, and replacement services for household tasks you cannot perform. These benefits are provided under your auto insurance policy and are available to you immediately, regardless of fault.
Economic Damages Beyond No-Fault Coverage
If your injuries meet Michigan’s serious impairment threshold, you may recover additional financial losses from the drunk driver beyond what your PIP policy covers.
These economic damages may include:
- Medical expenses beyond PIP limits
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Future medical costs
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-Economic Damages
In addition to financial losses, you may recover compensation for the personal impact of your injuries.
These non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
Our drunk driving accident attorneys in Sterling Heights review every potential source of compensation and fight for the full amount your case supports.
Have questions about your drunk driving accident case? Talk to a Kajy Law attorney today. The consultation is free.
Michigan Laws That Affect Drunk Driving Accident Claims
Several Michigan laws shape how drunk driving injury cases work. Our attorneys apply these rules to build the strongest possible claim.
- OWI criminal charges: The drunk driver may face criminal charges under Michigan’s Vehicle Code (MCL 257.625). A criminal conviction can serve as powerful evidence in your civil case, though you do not need to wait for the criminal case to conclude before filing your claim.
- Serious impairment threshold: To sue for pain and suffering in Michigan, your injuries must seriously affect your ability to live your normal life. Many drunk driving injuries meet this standard due to their severity. When they do, you can step outside the no-fault system and pursue a claim against the at-fault driver.
- Statute of limitations: You have three years from the crash date to file a lawsuit. For no-fault benefits, you must apply within one year. Acting quickly helps preserve evidence and protect your rights.
- Dram shop liability: Michigan law allows claims against establishments that over-serve visibly intoxicated patrons. These claims have specific requirements that our attorneys can evaluate.
Do Criminal DUI Charges Impact My Civil Case?
After a drunk driving crash, two legal processes often move forward at the same time: a criminal case against the driver and your civil claim for compensation. While these cases are separate, they are closely connected in ways that can strengthen your position.
If the driver is charged or convicted of OWI, that outcome can serve as powerful evidence in your civil case. It helps establish that the driver acted unlawfully, which can make it easier to prove liability.
Evidence gathered during the criminal investigation, such as police reports, breath or blood test results, and witness statements, can also support your injury claim.
That said, you do not need to wait for the criminal case to finish before pursuing compensation. Civil claims follow their own timeline, and delays could affect your ability to recover damages.
Our attorneys monitor both cases closely, using developments in the criminal matter to build a stronger civil claim while protecting your right to move forward without unnecessary delay.
The Legal Process: What to Expect
After a drunk driving crash, you are dealing with pain, stress, and uncertainty. Here is how Kajy Law handles your case so you can focus on getting better.
Step 1: Free consultation. We review your case, answer your questions, and explain your options. No pressure, no obligation.
Step 2: Investigation. We gather police reports, toxicology results, witness statements, and any available camera footage. We also investigate potential dram shop claims.
Step 3: Insurance claims. We file your no-fault claim and handle all communication with insurance companies. You do not have to negotiate and argue with adjusters.
Step 4: Negotiation. Once we know the full extent of your injuries, we pursue fair compensation through negotiation. Most cases settle without going to trial.
Step 5: Litigation if needed. If the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we file a lawsuit in Macomb County Circuit Court and take your case to trial.
Common Questions About Drunk Driving Accident Claims in Sterling Heights
How much does a drunk driving accident lawyer cost?
Kajy Law works on contingency. You pay nothing up front and nothing unless we win your case. Our fee comes from the compensation we recover for you. The consultation is always free.
Can I sue both the drunk driver and the bar that served them?
Yes, if the bar served alcohol to someone who was visibly intoxicated. Michigan's dram shop law creates potential liability for establishments that over-serve patrons. Our attorneys investigate whether this applies to your case.
How long do I have to file a drunk driving accident claim in Michigan?
Michigan's statute of limitations allows you three years from the crash date to file a personal injury lawsuit. For no-fault PIP benefits, you must apply within one year. Contacting a Kajy Law attorney early helps protect your rights and preserve evidence.
What if the drunk driver is convicted of OWI?
A criminal conviction can strengthen your civil case by establishing that the driver broke the law. However, you do not need to wait for the criminal case to resolve. Your civil claim is separate and can proceed on its own timeline.
Will insurance cover my injuries if the drunk driver has no insurance?
Your own uninsured motorist coverage may apply. Michigan's no-fault system also provides PIP benefits through your own policy, regardless of the other driver's insurance status. Our attorneys explore all available sources of recovery.
How much is my drunk driving accident case worth?
Case value depends on injury severity, medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other factors. Every case is different. A Kajy Law attorney can review your situation and provide a complete and realistic assessment. Cases involving severe injuries often require evaluation by financial and medical experts.
Serving Drunk Driving Accident Victims Throughout Macomb County
Kajy Law represents drunk driving accident victims in Sterling Heights and surrounding communities, including Warren, Troy, Utica, Clinton Township, Shelby Township, and throughout Macomb County.
We handle cases filed in Macomb County Circuit Court and work with local investigators, medical providers, and accident reconstruction experts who know this area. That local presence gives us an advantage when building your case.
Drunk Driving Accident Resources
Our Sterling Heights Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Are Ready to Fight
A drunk driver made a reckless choice that disrupted your life, or maybe even altered it permanently. You should not have to fight the insurance company alone while recovering from your injuries.
Kajy Law has the experience, resources, and dedication to fight for full and fair compensation on your behalf. Our team of Sterling Heights drunk driving accident attorneys is ready to review your case, answer your questions, and start fighting for you.
Your consultation is free, and you pay us nothing unless we win. Contact Kajy Law online or call to speak with a drunk driving accident attorney today.