Drunk Driving Accidents & Bar Liability
The stakes are high when it comes to drinking and driving. Lives depend on our willingness to not get behind the wheel after a few too many drinks. Tragically, some people still ignore that lesson and, all too often, innocent bystanders are hurt in the process.
So if you or someone you love falls victim to a driver who made the catastrophic mistake of mixing alcohol with operating a vehicle, it’s important to know that you’re not without recourse. In addition to making an insurance claim against the guilty motorist, you may also be able to hold the bar, club, or restaurant where they were imbibing accountable as well. This can be especially helpful in cases where the drunk driver doesn’t have enough coverage to fully pay for injuries, damages, and other losses incurred.
We all must take responsibility for our own actions, but if a business chose to ignore the law and over-serve an obviously intoxicated patron, they can fairly be held responsible for some of the results of their negligent behavior. So don’t assume you have no options if someone else has caused you or your family harm by drunk driving—you have far more power than you realize.
Police Report
If you’re involved in an accident with a driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol, don’t hesitate to call the police. They’ll investigate the scene and question the drunk driver about where they were prior to the accident. While they may not tell the truth about how much they drank, they will likely reveal where they had been drinking. All of this is included in the police report which is accessible to your Pembroke Pines personal injury lawyer.
With this information, your attorney can contact the bar or nightclub to see if there’s any video evidence that could be used against the driver for their DUI case. These videos might show how many drinks were served and for how long they were there. Your attorney will use this evidence along with other data to build a solid case and seek full compensation for the damages you have suffered as a result of the accident.
Don’t let the guilt of the other party go unpunished: contact your personal injury lawyer today and take back control of your life.
Determining Liability
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, one of the most important things to determine is who is liable. After all, if you don’t know who’s responsible, it’s impossible to hold them accountable. That’s why it’s essential to have an experienced Pembroke Pines injury attorney on your side. They can help you identify who is at fault and take action accordingly.
Your attorney will start by investigating the driver of the other vehicle and their insurance company. Your attorney will work with them to get you the compensation you deserve. If they refuse to pay, they may need to be taken to court. Thankfully, your lawyer knows how to make sure this process goes smoothly. They’ll obtain any footage or proof from the bar where the driver was drinking prior to the crash. And if the bar doesn’t cooperate, your lawyer can compel them to do so by means of a subpoena.
By handling these steps professionally, your Pembroke Pines injury attorney can ensure that the guilty party is held accountable for their actions. With their help, you won’t have to worry about getting the justice you deserve.
Bartender Liability
If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, it’s important to know your legal rights–especially when it comes to holding the bar liable. In most states, the bar owner can face hefty financial consequences if they overserved someone who later got into an accident.
But if you live in Florida, the story is a bit different. Under Florida law (768.125), bars and restaurants are generally not held liable for any injuries resulting from an accident, regardless of whether or not they overserved the patron.
Consult a Pembroke Pines Injury Lawyer
The only way a bar can be held accountable for an accident is if you can prove that the driver was someone who was habitually intoxicated or underage at the time of service. This is no easy feat–but with the help of an experienced Pembroke Pines personal injury lawyer, you may have a fighting chance. Your attorney should be able to present evidence detailing how the bar failed to take due diligence to verify the age of their patron and confirm that they were not serving a habitual drunkard. By doing this, your attorney can try to prove the bar was negligent and the driver was over-served.
