Detroit Car Accident Attorney Gary Bloom Weighs in on Drunk Driving Prevention Efforts in Michigan
Detroit, MI (PRWEB) February 13, 2015 -- Michigan personal injury lawyer Gary Bloom today said a new study finding that Michigan can do a better job at preventing drunk driving deaths should serve as a warning not only to anyone tempted to drink and drive, but to businesses that might serve alcoholic beverages.
The attorney at the Law Offices of Gary Bloom commented on a Jan. 15 report in USA Today (“How is your state doing? MADD rates USA on drunk driving prevention”).
“The findings show that Michigan is not doing as well as many other states at stopping drunk drivers,” Bloom said. “As an attorney who has handled many drunk driving cases in the Detroit area, I am frustrated that our state is lacking in this area. Wrongful death cases involving drunk drivers are some of the most difficult ones we handle. These are very emotional for families who have lost so much. My heart goes out to family members who feel absolutely devastated. It’s why I work so hard to help them get justice, and it’s why I advocate for stronger sanctions against drunk drivers. I hope our lawmakers read this report and take action.”
Bloom said determining liability in a drunk driving accident can be complicated, because the driver might not be the only responsible party.
“Michigan has a law known as the ‘Dram Shop Act,’” Bloom explained. “According to the law, places like bars, restaurants or stores should not give an alcoholic beverage to someone who is visibly intoxicated. They also are barred from providing alcoholic beverages to minors under 21. If a business is found to have provided alcohol to either a minor or someone who was visibly intoxicated, and that person causes an accident that injures or kills another person, the business may be liable.”
According to USA Today, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) released a report that takes stock of all 50 states and the district of Columbia on their efforts to prevent highway fatalities caused by drunk drivers. MADD’s Campaign To Eliminate Drunk Driving is a nine year old ongoing project that calls for stronger laws in states, according to USA Today.
A five-star system created by MADD rates states by looking at their preventative measures, including whether they have ignition interlock laws (devices installed in cars to measure alcohol levels); sobriety checkpoints; license revocation laws related to drunk driving; child endangerment laws that view children in a vehicle with a drunk driver as a form of child abuse; and no refusal events, which allow police to test a suspected drunk driver who refused to take a blood alcohol test.
According to MADD’s report on the 50 states, Michigan only receives one star. That’s because most of the DUI arrests do not result in convictions. MADD also is critical of Michigan because the state does not require ignition interlocks for people convicted of drunk driving with a blood alcohol content greater than .08 but less than 0.17. Michigan does require the devices for first-time offenders who have BAC levels of .17 or greater.
Furthermore, according to MADD, the state of Michigan does not allow police the option of sobriety checkpoints lacks an administrative license revocation law for drunk drivers.
“I hope a report like this reminds drivers that a reckless choice, such as drinking and driving, can have grave consequences,” Bloom said. “Businesses also should understand that they also may be held responsible. There’s no excuse for drinking and driving or for businesses to provide alcohol to visibly intoxicated people or minors.”
Regardless of Michigan’s DUI laws, attorney Bloom said families who have lost loved ones deserve justice. He said attorneys can help them pursue compensation for their losses and hold the negligent drunk driver accountable.
About the Law Offices of Gary Bloom
Experienced attorney Gary Bloom operates a small yet highly successful law firm in the Detroit area where he makes the needs of clients his No. 1 priority. Gary Bloom distinguishes his legal practice from big city firms by offering his clients personal attention and care. With over 30 years of experience fighting for the rights of accident victims in Detroit, Livonia, Wayne, Lansing, and Toledo, OH, attorney Gary Bloom has a hard-earned reputation as an aggressive and determined personal injury lawyer who works one-on-one with his clients to build a solid and successful legal strategy. Bloom belongs to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, reserved for lawyers who have successfully obtained verdicts or settlements totaling over $1 million. In addition to handling cases involving car accidents, the Law Offices of Gary Bloom has successfully litigated cases on behalf of people injured by medical malpractice, truck accidents, slip and fall accidents, and other types of accidents caused by somebody else’s negligence.
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident, call (734) 464-1700 for a free case consultation.
The Law Offices of Gary Bloom has offices in Livonia and Wayne, MI, and Toledo, OH. The main office is located at 39040 7 Mile Road, Livonia, MI 48152. For more details visit http://www.straighttalker.net.
Jacob M Del Hagen, Big Voodoo Interactive, http://www.bigvoodoo.com, +1 (413) 650-0593, [email protected]
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