Across Michigan, the holiday season brings people together—office parties, corporate events, family gatherings, dinners with friends, and festive celebrations from Thanksgiving through New Year’s. Yet as joy and socializing increase, so does one tragic reality: alcohol-related crashes spike during the holiday months, leaving countless families facing life-changing injuries, emotional upheaval, and financial uncertainty.

A drunk driving crash can shatter what should have been a season of warmth and celebration. Suddenly, victims find themselves dealing with serious medical emergencies, totaled vehicles, lost wages, and overwhelming stress. Many describe feeling angry, confused, and deeply frustrated knowing their injuries were entirely preventable—caused by someone else’s reckless decision to drive under the influence.

At Liss, Shapero & Mitnick, we understand the devastation these accidents cause. For decades, our team has protected injured Michigan families with the values that define our firm: Your rights first, unwavering integrity, compassionate guidance, and the clarity people need during their most difficult moments. And when victims need a trusted drunk driver accident victim lawyer in Michigan, LSM stands ready to fight for justice and accountability.

Immediate Steps Michigan Crash Victims Should Take After a Drunk Driving Accident

Call 911 and Seek Emergency Medical Care

Your safety comes first. Even if you feel “okay,” adrenaline can mask serious injuries such as concussions, internal bleeding, or fractures.

• Emergency responders will document your injuries on-scene.
• A police report is one of the most critical pieces of evidence in a drunk driving case—it records the impaired driver’s behavior, testing results, and officer observations.

Prompt medical care not only protects your health but also strengthens your case.

Gather Evidence at the Scene (If Safe)

If you are able, collect key information before the scene changes:

• Photos of vehicle damage, road and weather conditions, skid marks, debris, and visible injuries.
• Eyewitness names and contact information, including passengers or nearby drivers.

This evidence helps establish liability and reconstruction of how the crash occurred.

Preserve Evidence From Holiday Venues

Holiday crashes often involve alcohol served at bars, restaurants, clubs, private venues, or corporate parties. Preserving related evidence is crucial:

• Receipts showing alcohol purchases.
• Credit card statements reflecting time-stamped transactions.
• Social media posts or photos showing the intoxicated driver drinking.
• Uber or Lyft logs, which may show a driver’s movements before the crash.
• Surveillance footage from venues—most systems overwrite within days. Requests must be made quickly.

This type of evidence can support third-party or dram shop claims.

Avoid Talking to the Drunk Driver’s Insurance Company

Insurance adjusters may try to:

• Downplay injuries
• Shift blame
• Pressure victims into quick, unfair settlements

Anything you say can be used against you. Let your attorney handle these communications.

Contact a Drunk Driver Accident Victim Lawyer in Michigan Immediately

Early legal involvement protects your rights and preserves critical evidence before it disappears.

At LSM, our team-oriented approach means your case is supported by multiple attorneys and legal professionals from day one. We move swiftly to:

• Secure surveillance video
• Preserve venue and alcohol-service evidence
• Obtain police and toxicology reports
• Protect you from insurance company tactics

Holiday drunk driving cases often involve multiple layers of liability—PIP, third-party claims, dram shop claims, and more—making early representation essential.

Understanding Michigan No-Fault (PIP) Benefits After a Drunk Driving Crash

What PIP Covers

Depending on your chosen No-Fault policy level, PIP may provide:

• Unlimited or capped medical care
• Wage loss benefits (typically up to 3 years)
• Replacement services for household tasks
• Mileage reimbursement for medical appointments

These benefits offer immediate financial relief during recovery.

Why PIP Still Applies Even When the Other Driver Is Drunk

Michigan law ensures accident victims receive No-Fault benefits regardless of fault.
This means:

• You can obtain medical care right away.
• You do not have to wait for the drunk driver’s insurance to pay.

PIP is designed to help victims recover without delay—especially critical after severe holiday crashes.

Challenges With PIP Adjusters

Despite clear legal rights, PIP adjusters may still:

• Delay payments
• Request excessive or unnecessary documentation
• Deny medically necessary treatment
• Question whether injuries are accident-related

Having an experienced legal team ensures that your full PIP benefits are paid, deadlines are met, and insurance companies do not take advantage of you during an already vulnerable time.

Third-Party Claims Against Drunk Drivers (Pain & Suffering + Excess Damages)

When Victims Can File a Third-Party Claim

Under Michigan law, crash victims may pursue a third-party claim when injuries meet one of the legally recognized thresholds:

• Serious impairment of body function
  A common threshold in drunk driving cases involving back injuries, fractures, TBIs, and mobility loss.
• Permanent disfigurement
  Scarring, facial injuries, burns, or permanent physical changes.
• Wrongful death
  When a crash tragically takes the life of a loved one, surviving family members may seek compensation.

These claims allow victims and families to obtain the compensation they truly deserve beyond what PIP provides.

Compensation Available

A third-party claim may include damages such as:

• Pain and suffering — often significant in drunk driving crashes
• Emotional distress, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression
• Excess medical bills not covered by PIP caps
• Lost wages that extend beyond PIP’s three-year limit
• Loss of consortium, which compensates family members for the impact on relationships and support

These damages acknowledge the profound, long-term consequences victims face after a drunk driving crash.

Establishing Intoxication & Fault

Building a strong case requires clear, well-documented evidence. LSM’s team works quickly to secure:

• Police toxicology reports
• Breathalyzer or blood test results
• Field sobriety test documentation
• Witness statements, including from passengers, bartenders, or event attendees

Together, this evidence creates a compelling and undeniable picture of fault.

Punitive-Like Damages (Though Limited in Michigan)

Michigan does not allow traditional punitive damages, but in cases involving outrageous, willful, or malicious conduct, courts may award exemplary damages. These damages compensate victims for humiliation, indignity, or emotional harm resulting from the drunk driver’s conduct.

Dram Shop Claims: When Bars & Restaurants May Be Liable

In many holiday drunk driving cases, the driver did not become intoxicated in isolation—they were served alcohol at a bar, restaurant, club, private event, or corporate party. Michigan law allows victims to pursue additional compensation from establishments that contributed to the driver’s intoxication.

Michigan’s Dram Shop Law

Under the state’s dram shop statute:

• Bars and restaurants may be liable if they served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person.
• There are strict notice requirements, often requiring action within a short timeframe.

This is one reason why contacting an attorney immediately is essential.

Evidence in Dram Shop Cases

These cases are evidence-intensive. LSM works quickly to secure:

• Receipts, credit card transactions, and time-stamped alcohol purchases
• Surveillance footage from bars, restaurants, clubs, and venues
• Testimony from servers, bartenders, and other patrons
• Social media posts showing drinking or intoxication

Because footage and records are often deleted within days or weeks, rapid action is vital.

Venue Liability for Company Parties

Holiday corporate events and private parties often involve open bars or complimentary alcohol. Liability may extend to:

• Caterers
• Event hosts
• Private venues
• Employers, when alcohol is provided at workplace functions

If a drunk driver was overserved at an office party or a holiday event, additional claims may be available.

Hurt by a Drunk Driver This Holiday Season? LSM Will Protect Your Rights.

Drunk driving crashes are traumatic, painful, and life-altering—especially during the holidays, when families should be celebrating, not recovering from tragedy. You may feel overwhelmed or unsure where to turn, but you are not alone. Many victims underestimate their rights, the compensation available, and how quickly crucial evidence can disappear.

Bar receipts, surveillance footage, and venue records can be lost within days. Insurance companies may push for fast, unfair settlements. The sooner you contact a drunk driver accident victim lawyer in Michigan, the stronger your case will be.

At Liss, Shapero & Mitnick, we stand firmly with crash victims. Our commitment to integrity, clarity, compassion, and treating every client like family guides how we fight for justice. We are here to support you, protect you, and ensure your rights come first—today and every day.

Contact Liss, Shapero & Mitnick

Liss, Shapero & Mitnick (LSM Lawyers)
2695 Coolidge Highway
Berkley, MI 48072

Phone: 248-584-1300
Toll-Free: 1-855-LISS-LAW (1-855-547-7529)
Website: lsmlawyers.com

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