Those who have been injured in a DUI accident often do not realize they are entitled to compensation from the dram shop if their lawyer can prove liability, which is often the case. If you were significantly hurt in an accident caused by a DUI motorist, you are likely physically suffering and will require expensive medical treatment. Whether or not the liable motorist has sufficient insurance, the dram shop may hold some degree of responsibility for having sold that person alcohol when they were already intoxicated. In addition to your medical bills, the dram shop might be liable for your physical and emotional suffering, lost wages, and other damages. Contact a dram shop liability lawyer to find out if you have an eligible claim.
What is a dram shop?
A dram shop is a bar or tavern that serves alcohol to patrons. In some states, this law extends to alcohol provided to guests at a party in a privately owned home or during a business function. A liability lawyer can clarify whether dram shop laws apply to your situation.
What are the legal obligations of a dram ship and potential liability issues?
By law, they must adhere to all laws associated with the serving of alcohol, including making sure the customer is of legal drinking age and is not intoxicated. In addition, most states have laws that prohibit dram shops from serving customers alcohol in public, such as outside their designated premises. In part, this is to ensure the dram shop is aware of who is being served and actually consuming the alcohol (as opposed to someone sitting in a car in the parking lot) to make sure they are not minors or intoxicated. When a dram shop employee fails to serve responsibly and someone is injured as a result, the victim can file a claim or lawsuit against them with the help of a liability lawyer.
What is necessary for proving liability on the part of the dram shop?
A lawyer must prove the liability of a dram shop by establishing these two facts:
- The dram shop employee who served the customer knew that the customer was intoxicated. The lawyer can offer proof to the Court in the form of receipts that reveal how many drinks the customer purchased and within what timeframe they consumed those drinks.
- The customer’s intoxication was directly related to the victim’s injury. For example, within minutes of leaving the dram shop, the customer drove their car and caused the accident with the injury victim.
Lawyers Fight for the Rights of Injury Victims
If you or your loved one was severely injured by a motorist who was DUI, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your damages from the driver as well as the dram shop that served them alcohol. Call today for a consultation with a law firm. A liability lawyer can review your case at no charge to determine if the dram shop should be held responsible.