Philadelphia bars and nightclubs must keep their patrons safe and responsible to some extent. They need to do something to prevent chaos and ensure they do not serve too much alcohol to their customers. Drunk customers are at a high risk of being involved in drunk driving accidents. Also, they need to have reasonable security measures in place to keep customers safe.
A Philadelphia dram shop attorney will fight for the full compensation and justice you deserve as a victim of drunk driving accidents. They are well-versed in the complexities of the state’s dram shop law and know how to prove your case against the at-fault driver in court.
Holding Drunk Drivers Liable for Your Injuries
If you have been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, there are many options you can explore when seeking redress. Your attorney can hold the drunk driver liable for compensatory or actual damages you suffered. Also, they may seek punitive damages on top of actual losses to punish the reckless, intentionally harmful, and wanton acts of the drunk driver.
In a car accident, there may be other parties liable for your injuries aside from the drunk driver. Your attorney can bring a dram shop lawsuit. In Philadelphia, a bar or nightclub that serves an obviously drunk person, who later drives a car and causes a collision with another vehicle can be held liable for resulting damages.
Dram shop laws in the state apply to establishments that serve alcohol like bars, casinos, and restaurants. Such laws also apply to businesses that serve private events and alcoholic beverages. In addition, a business may face liability if its server or bartender has violated liquor laws like serving alcohol to minors, after hours, or selling alcohol unlawfully.
Dram shop laws in the state also let you hold people liable for serving alcoholic beverages in their houses to people who are not at least 21 years old. Speak with an attorney for help in upholding your rights to sue and hold all reckless parties liable for your injuries.
Other Accidents that Lead to Dram Shop Cases
If an establishment serves an intoxicated individual who then initiates a fight or severely injures another customer, this business may face liability for all damages caused. Also, the dram shop law can apply if the person over-served with alcohol trips, falls, and sustains serious injuries. The injured person can hold the establishment liable and file a lawsuit.