Dram Shop Liability Claims Lawyer
Did a drunk driver cause an injury or fatality vehicle accident that harmed your family? Not only is the driver liable for their actions, if they were sold alcohol beverages when they were already intoxicated, the bar may be partially liable as well. “Dram shops,” or places that sell alcohol, have a responsibility to deny alcohol purchases to those that are intoxicated, especially if they know the person may be driving. In some cases, dram shops can be held liable for injuries caused by their customers that were driving while intoxicated.
Dram shop laws in Florida are limited when it comes to proving liability for drunk driving accidents. While some states hold all dram shops liable if they sell alcohol to a person that is drunk and may be driving, Florida restricts it to specific situations. Two circumstances where a dram shop may be liable for injuries caused by one of their customers in a drunk driving accident include:
- If the customer was a minor and they sold them alcohol
- If the customer is known to be addicted to alcohol
This is a limited scope of liability, but if the driver fits into one of these categories, the dram shop could be sued for damages.
Injury Claims for Drunk Driving Accidents
If you are injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, you need to look at all legal options to recover compensation for damages. If the driver has insurance, you can file a claim against their policy for your injuries. However, if the driver was a minor, it is possible that a dram shop may also be liable. The same is true if the driver has previous DUIs or they are known to be habitually addicted to alcohol. A dram shop may be liable for over-serving them alcohol.
Injury accidents caused by drunk drivers can leave victims with few options to recover damages. It is important to look at all the legal routes available. Contact Ligori & Sanders Attorneys at Law in Tampa today if you were injured by a drunk driver. We offer free consultations to discuss your legal options.