Driving on the road today can be a dangerous activity and the potential for an accident greatly increases when alcohol is involved. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2014, drunk driving played a role in nearly a third of all U.S traffic-related fatalities. Georgia takes alcohol related driving offenses seriously and if you have been injured in an accident, multiple parties may be liable for damages. With the very real danger of alcohol-related accidents, it is vital to understand your rights and our blog covers what you should know about dram shop laws.
What Are Dram Shop Laws?
In Georgia, victims of drunk driving accidents may hold a third party responsible for damages under “dram shop” laws. Depending on the circumstances of an accident, sellers of alcohol can be liable for damages when they provide liquor to an individual that will soon be driving. The law covers vendors such as hotels, liquor stores, and restaurants and typically applies to two types of situations.
A third-party can be liable under dram shop laws in situations including:
- Providing alcohol to a minor: Venders are liable when they knowingly provide alcohol to a person under the age of 21. If that person causes a car accident, the vendor can be held liable for resulting damages.
- Serving a visibly intoxicated person: In cases not involving a minor, failure to refuse service to a person who is visibly intoxicated and likely to drive can result in seller liability. While this may be more subjective, a person’s history of alcohol-related offenses may come into play.
It is not just a business which can be punished under dram shop laws. In some cases, a private household or social host can incur penalties under the same regulations which punish vendors. For example, the host of a party may be liable for damages caused by a drunk driver when they (1) knowingly serve alcohol specifically to a minor and (2) know the minor intends to operate a motor vehicle.
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Accidents involving drunk drivers are often more severe than other accidents and can require extended or even lifelong medical treatments. If you have been injured in a collision, our Atlanta car accident attorneys can help you to seek monetary compensation to help cover missed work, pain and suffering, and damaged property. We have more than two decades of experience in personal injury law and possess an in-depth knowledge of the laws and injuries specific to drunk driving accidents. When you are ready to seek legal representation, do not hesitate to contact the Law Offices of K. Douglas Cook.
Schedule a free consultation and speak with an attorney about your claim.