Dram Shop Liability Lawyer Greenville

If you’ve been injured due to the negligence of an intoxicated person who was served alcohol at a bar or restaurant, you may be entitled to compensation through dram shop liability. At Langley Law Firm, we help victims of alcohol-related accidents seek justice and hold establishments accountable for their role in serving alcohol to individuals who were clearly impaired. Our dram shop liability lawyers in Greenville are here to guide you through the legal process and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (864) 667-6144 for a free consultation and to discuss your case with our dedicated team.

Real-Life Instances of Dram Shop Liability in Greenville

Dram shop liability is a legal term that holds bars, restaurants, and other alcohol-serving establishments responsible when they serve alcohol to an obviously intoxicated individual, and that person goes on to cause harm. If you’ve been injured in an accident involving a drunk driver or any other alcohol-related incident, you may be entitled to compensation under South Carolina’s dram shop laws. 

Understanding Dram Shop Liability in Greenville

Dram shop liability laws exist to hold alcohol-serving establishments accountable when they serve alcohol to individuals who are visibly intoxicated or underage. In many cases, this negligence leads to accidents, injuries, or even deaths, which could have been prevented if the establishment had taken appropriate measures to avoid serving excessive alcohol.

South Carolina law recognizes that alcohol consumption can impair a person’s judgment and reaction time, making it more likely they will cause an accident or injury. Under dram shop liability, victims of alcohol-related accidents may be able to pursue a claim not only against the drunk driver or individual who caused the harm, but also the establishment that over-served them.

Example 1: A Drunk Driver Causes a Crash After Leaving a Local Bar

In one notable Greenville case, a driver left a popular downtown bar after drinking heavily. Witnesses at the bar reported that the driver was visibly intoxicated, slurring their speech and having difficulty walking. Despite these signs of impairment, the bartender continued to serve the driver more alcohol. Shortly after leaving the bar, the driver crashed into another vehicle, causing significant injuries to the occupants.

The injured parties filed a lawsuit against both the drunk driver and the bar, citing dram shop liability. The argument was that the bar should have known better than to continue serving alcohol to an obviously drunk individual. After an investigation, it was found that the bartender had ignored state guidelines about serving alcohol to intoxicated individuals.

In the end, the case resulted in a substantial settlement, with the bar being held liable for their role in the accident. This example illustrates how a bar’s negligence in over-serving alcohol can lead to devastating consequences for innocent people on the road.

Example 2: A DUI Accident Involving an Underage Drinker

Another example of dram shop liability occurred when an underage individual was served alcohol at a Greenville restaurant. The young person had been drinking at the establishment, and staff members failed to check for identification or notice the signs of intoxication. The individual then left the restaurant and got into their car, driving under the influence of alcohol.

Later that night, the underage driver caused a crash that resulted in severe injuries to another driver. The victim of the accident filed a lawsuit against the restaurant, arguing that the establishment had violated the law by serving alcohol to someone underage and failed in their duty to prevent a foreseeable accident.

In this case, the court found the restaurant liable for its role in allowing an underage and intoxicated individual to drive. The restaurant was forced to pay for the victim’s medical bills and damages, highlighting the importance of alcohol-serving establishments adhering to the law and taking steps to prevent accidents caused by intoxicated individuals.

Example 3: Serving Alcohol to a Visibly Drunk Patron

One of the most common types of dram shop liability cases involves a bar continuing to serve alcohol to a patron who is already visibly intoxicated. In this case, a woman was at a local Greenville tavern and had already consumed several drinks over the course of the evening. She was visibly drunk, stumbling around and having difficulty speaking. Despite this, the bartender continued to serve her alcohol, and she ended up driving home intoxicated.

On her way home, the woman lost control of her vehicle and struck a pedestrian who was crossing the street. The pedestrian suffered serious injuries, including broken bones and internal injuries. The injured pedestrian filed a claim against both the driver and the bar that served her the alcohol.

The case was settled in favor of the injured pedestrian, with the bar being found liable for its role in the accident. This example demonstrates that establishments have a legal duty to cut off service to patrons who show clear signs of intoxication. When they fail to do so, they can be held accountable for the injuries caused by the intoxicated individual.

The Legal Process 

If you’ve been injured due to an alcohol-related incident involving an establishment’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. However, proving dram shop liability is not always straightforward. In order to pursue a claim, you will need to demonstrate that the alcohol-serving establishment was negligent by continuing to serve alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person or someone who was underage.

A successful dram shop liability case typically requires several key elements:

1. Proof of Intoxication: You must show that the individual who caused the accident was visibly intoxicated at the time they were served alcohol. This could include witness statements, surveillance footage, or testimony from experts.

2. Establishment’s Negligence: You must prove that the alcohol-serving establishment failed to adhere to the law by over-serving alcohol or serving it to an underage person.

3. Causation: You must demonstrate that the intoxicated individual’s actions directly caused the accident and your injuries.

These cases can be complex, and having an experienced personal injury lawyer by your side is crucial. A skilled lawyer can help gather the necessary evidence, work with experts, and build a strong case to hold the establishment accountable for its actions.

Why You Need a Lawyer for Your Dram Shop Liability Case

Dram shop liability cases often involve multiple parties, including the drunk driver, the establishment that served alcohol, and possibly insurance companies. Navigating the legal process and dealing with these parties can be overwhelming, especially while you’re recovering from an injury.

Hold Negligent Bars Accountable: Your Dram Shop Liability Lawyers

If you’ve suffered harm because of an intoxicated individual who was irresponsibly served alcohol, Langley Law Firm is here to help. Our dram shop liability lawyers in Greenville have the means to hold negligent establishments accountable and fight for your rights. Don’t let the impact of your injury go unnoticed—let us guide you toward the compensation you deserve. Contact us today at (864) 667-6144 for a free consultation. We’re committed to helping you navigate this challenging situation and securing the justice you need.