If you have been injured or lost a loved one due to the negligence of a drunk driver, you may not realize that there are other people who can be held accountable for the loss. At the Dan Doyle Law Group, we understand that this is a difficult time for you and your family. You may have questions about why this happened, including who served the at-fault driver alcohol. When you need a dram shop liability lawyer, you can count on us to get to the bottom of what happened.

What does “dram shop liability” mean?

Under Pennsylvania’s dram shop law, any business or individual who knowingly serves or sells alcohol to a person who is visibly intoxicated can be held responsible for any damage that person causes. We usually see this law come into focus when a drunk driver causes serious injuries or death in an accident.

Victims of a drunk driving crash and family members of those killed by a drunk driver often wonder:

  • How drunk was the person who caused this crash?
  • Did this person have a history of DUI?
  • Who served this person so much alcohol?

Why does it matter who served a person who went on to cause a serious accident? Because, if they knowingly served someone who was already intoxicated, they could be held liable and owe damages to the victims.

This law can apply to bartenders, servers in a restaurant, or clerks at a store who serve someone visibly intoxicated. What are the signs that someone is drunk and should not be driving?

  • Red or bloodshot eyes
  • Slurred speech
  • Difficulty walking
  • Visibly seeing them drink multiple drinks

PA’s dram shop law serves to deter servers and bartenders from putting the public at risk by continuing to serve a drunk patron. This is important because drunk drivers are deadly on the roadway. During the latest reporting year in Pennsylvania, there were more than 10,000 alcohol-related crashes.

  • 293 people died as a result of alcohol-related crashes.
  • Alcohol-related crashes were the cause of 26% of all traffic fatalities in the state during that year.
  • Injuries from these crashes tend to be much more severe.

It is time to move your case forward

If you or a loved one has been injured or you have lost a loved one due to the actions of an impaired driver, please seek legal assistance today. You may be entitled to compensation from multiple parties, including anyone who served or sold the negligent driver alcohol. At the Dan Doyle Law Group, we understand the complexities of these laws and are ready to get to work on securing the compensation you need. This can include:

  • Coverage of medical expenses
  • Recovery of lost wages if you cannot work
  • Coverage of physical therapy if necessary
  • Pain and suffering damages
  • Loss of enjoyment of life damages
  • Possible punitive damages against the negligent party

When you need a Bensalem dram shop liability attorney, you can contact us by clicking here or calling 215-987-3730 for a free consultation.