Can I sue a bar or restaurant that served the drunk driver (dram shop laws)?

In the attached video, David Wolff explains how Dram Shop Laws can hold bars and restaurants accountable for serving intoxicated customers who later cause serious accidents.

If you’ve been involved in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, you might be wondering if the bar or restaurant that served them can be held responsible. The answer is yes, and our firm has extensive experience handling these types of cases. In fact, one of our founding partners, Mark Hanner, was involved in one of the first successful cases in New York State that held a bar accountable for over-serving an intoxicated individual who later caused a devastating crash.

Under Dram Shop Laws, bars and restaurants have a responsibility to ensure they are not over-serving customers, especially those who are visibly intoxicated. If an intoxicated individual gets behind the wheel and causes a serious accident, the establishment that served them may be held liable for the resulting injuries or fatalities. What’s crucial to prove in these cases is that the bar or restaurant knew, or should have known, that the person was intoxicated and was about to drive.

This type of case requires a thorough investigation—one that can be incredibly complex without the help of an experienced attorney. Gathering evidence and obtaining the right statements early on is key to making your case. Without an attorney’s expertise, you may struggle to build a compelling argument, and insurance companies will be quick to deny your claim.

Don’t wait to take action. If you’ve been in an accident with a drunk driver, you deserve answers, and the responsible parties need to be held accountable. Contact us today at 716-848-8000 for a free consultation. Let us help you get the justice you deserve—we win, it’s just that simple.