If you are injured in a motor vehicle collision caused by a drunk driver, multiple parties could be legally liable for your damages. For example, businesses that sell alcohol could be held responsible under dram shop laws if an intoxicated patron causes an accident that injures one or more people. Florida’s dram shop laws only permit establishments that provide alcohol to be legally liable in a personal injury claim if very specific criteria apply.
If you or a loved one was injured by an intoxicated driver and you believe that you may have a dram shop claim, a local car accident attorney can evaluate your potential case to explain your best legal options. A Cocoa dram shop liability lawyer can determine what compensation you may be entitled to if you have been harmed by a driver under the influence of alcohol.
Florida’s dram shop laws can be used to hold businesses that serve alcohol liable for injuries or damages caused by intoxicated patrons. These laws apply to bars, restaurants, liquor stores, and other establishments that serve or sell alcohol. The individual who made the choice to drink and drive is still primarily responsible for damages sustained by injured victims.
Florida’s dram shop law also allows victims to pursue a claim against the bar or other establishment in a few particular situations. Under this law, businesses can be held liable if they sell alcohol to someone under the age of 21. Businesses like bars, restaurants, and liquor stores could also be held liable if they knowingly sell alcohol to someone who is addicted to alcohol.
Businesses that serve or sell alcohol should require official identification to prove the legal age of patrons and customers. Social hosts are generally not liable for injuries caused by intoxicated guests at private parties. However, a social host who offers or provides alcoholic beverages to an underage guest or to a guest who is habitually addicted to alcohol could have their liability called into question.
Individuals who sustain injuries from a drunk driver should consult with a lawyer as soon as possible. A qualified Cocoa attorney can assess the potential monetary damages available from the liable party or parties, including the possibility of filing a dram shop claim.
An incident involving a drunk driver can lead to severe and fatal personal injuries. Victims may also experience serious anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress after a drunk driving incident.
It is wise to start working with a Cocoa dram shop liability attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help you seek monetary damages from the at-fault driver, as well as the person or entity that served them if dram shop laws apply to your case.
A lawyer can determine whether the establishment knowingly served alcohol to an underage person or someone habitually addicted to alcohol, as well as interview witnesses and gather all available evidence to support your claim. We can also compile detailed treatment and injury records to ensure that the full value of your losses is included in your claim for compensation.
Victims could be entitled to numerous forms of compensation in a successful dram shop liability settlement or court award, including all medical compensation, including past and future medical costs. The cost of the victim’s past and future lost wages, pain, suffering, and even punitive damages may also be recoverable.
An accident involving a drunk driver can inflict severe and potentially deadly injuries. Victims could suffer chronic health problems from their injuries, limited mobility, and diminished quality of life.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident caused by a drunk driver, an attorney can explore your legal rights and the liable parties involved. Our Cocoa dram shop lawyer can probe the chain of events leading to the crash to determine whether the bar or other establishment that served the at-fault driver could be liable.
It is important to discuss your situation with someone who can explain the applicable laws in detail and seek maximum recovery of your damages. Call us now for a free consultation.
The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys
