Dram Shop Liability

It’s bad enough that you or a loved one are involved in a serious motor vehicle accident and injured due to the negligence of another. The emotional and physical trauma you experience as a result of the accident is multiplied when you discover that the negligent conduct of the other driver and your injuries were as a result of the irresponsible consumption of alcohol on the part of the other driver. Negligent car accidents occur in a split second, but cause tragic and permanent injuries lasting a lifetime.   Even more tragic is the needless wrongful death of a loved one due to a bar, liquor store, restaurant or social club serving alcohol to an intoxicated person and never once considering the consequences of their actions.

The term “dram shop” was derived from 18th century taverns in England that sold gin by the spoonful, called a dram. Pennsylvania dram Shop laws hold alcoholic beverage servers financially liable for harm that visibly intoxicated individuals cause to other people, themselves or property. Dram shop liability can apply not only to bars, liquor stores and restaurants, but also to social clubs and private events where liquor is served. The laws also include selling liquor without a license, selling liquor after hours and selling liquor to minors.   Even if you were injured as a passenger in a vehicle that was driven by a drunk driver who was at fault for the accident, you can still bring a lawsuit for those injuries against that driver. 

Negligent motor vehicle accidents involving drunk drivers leave thousands of families struggling each year to pay medical bills, replace lost wages and arrange for long-term care. Roughly 30% of all Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident at some time in their lives. Drunk driving is the nation's most frequently committed violent crime, killing someone every 30 minutes, and nonfatal injury to someone every 2 minutes.

At Snyder & Wiles, we provide victims and their families experienced and aggressive representation in their cases against those who provided the alcohol and the drunk driver. Don't leave your case to chance. Know your rights and preserve your claim for compensation. These cases are not limited to drivers and passengers of other vehicles, but also may apply to injured pedestrians, and even close family members of those injured under certain circumstances.  Call today for a free and professional consultation.