Dram Shop Liability Lawyer Reidville

If you’ve been injured in an accident involving alcohol, you may be entitled to compensation beyond the responsible party. In South Carolina, establishments that serve alcohol can be held accountable for their role in serving intoxicated individuals under dram shop liability laws. At Langley Law Firm, our dram shop liability lawyers in Reidville are dedicated to helping victims seek justice and recover damages from negligent bars, restaurants, or other businesses. If you or a loved one has been harmed in such an incident, contact us at (864) 667-6144 for a free consultation. Let us fight for your rights and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

How Surveillance Footage and Receipts Can Strengthen Your Dram Shop Claim

If you’ve been injured in an accident involving an intoxicated individual, you may have the option to pursue a dram shop claim. Dram shop liability allows victims to seek compensation from establishments that overserve alcohol to patrons who are already intoxicated. While proving these claims can be challenging, crucial pieces of evidence, such as surveillance footage and receipts, can significantly strengthen your case. These items provide key details about the events leading up to the accident and can help establish negligence on the part of the business involved. 

The Role of Surveillance Footage in Dram Shop Claims

Surveillance footage is one of the most powerful pieces of evidence when it comes to proving a dram shop claim. Many bars, restaurants, and other establishments are equipped with cameras that capture what happens inside their premises. In the context of a dram shop liability case, footage from these cameras can provide crucial insights into the behavior of the intoxicated individual and the staff’s actions regarding alcohol service.

Establishing Intoxication

One of the key elements of a dram shop claim is showing that the individual responsible for the accident was already intoxicated when they were served alcohol. Surveillance footage can provide visual evidence of the person’s behavior, such as stumbling, slurring their speech, or being disruptive. This can support your argument that the person was intoxicated and should not have been served alcohol.

Identifying Overserving

In addition to establishing intoxication, surveillance footage can also help identify whether the bar or restaurant overserved the individual. If the footage shows that the person was given more drinks despite being visibly intoxicated, it could be clear evidence of negligence. This is critical because dram shop laws hold businesses responsible for continuing to serve alcohol to someone who is already intoxicated.

Showing Employee Responsibility

Surveillance footage can also help identify the actions of staff members during the incident. For example, did the bartender ignore the person’s condition and continue serving them? Were they slow to react when the individual showed signs of impairment? Surveillance video can show how employees handled the situation, and if they failed to intervene, it could prove that the establishment’s negligence contributed to the incident.

Demonstrating the Timeline

Footage can also help establish a timeline of events. If you have a clear record of the person’s actions throughout the night, it’s easier to show how their level of intoxication progressed over time. This timeline can help make a strong case that the person was overserved, which led to the accident. It can also show the period leading up to the incident, giving insight into whether the business acted responsibly.

How Receipts Can Strengthen Your Dram Shop Claim

In addition to surveillance footage, receipts from the establishment where the intoxicated individual was served can provide valuable evidence to support your dram shop claim. These receipts can offer specific details about the alcohol purchases made by the individual and when they were made. Here’s how receipts can play a critical role:

Tracking Alcohol Purchases

Receipts can provide detailed records of the alcohol that was served to the individual before the incident. If the receipts show multiple purchases in a short period, this could be evidence that the person was overserved. If the bar continued to serve alcohol despite the individual’s visible signs of intoxication, this could be crucial evidence in showing the business’s negligence.

Establishing the Number of Drinks Served

In some cases, receipts can provide an itemized list of each drink ordered, along with the time it was served. This can help establish whether the individual consumed an excessive amount of alcohol in a short time. This is important because a person who drinks rapidly is more likely to become impaired more quickly. If the receipts show a pattern of excessive drinking, this strengthens your claim that the business was responsible for overserving the individual.

Confirming Time of Service

Receipts can also be valuable in confirming the time at which alcohol was served to the individual. In dram shop cases, timing is important. If the individual was served alcohol shortly before the accident occurred, this could help establish a direct connection between the intoxication and the accident. Receipts can confirm whether the individual was served alcohol right before getting behind the wheel or causing a dangerous situation.

Providing Evidence of Policies

Some receipts include the business’s policy for alcohol service, such as whether the establishment has a “last call” or a limit on the number of drinks served. If the receipts show that these policies were ignored, it can strengthen your case that the business violated its own practices, contributing to the incident.

How to Gather Surveillance Footage and Receipts

If you believe a dram shop claim applies to your case, it’s important to gather the necessary evidence as soon as possible. Time is critical, as video footage can be overwritten, and receipts may be discarded. Here’s how you can go about collecting this evidence:

Request Surveillance Footage Early

The first step is to request surveillance footage from the establishment. Be sure to ask for the footage covering the time when the intoxicated individual was served alcohol and the time leading up to the accident. Establishments may not keep footage for long periods, so it’s essential to request it as soon as possible. Contact a dram shop liability lawyer who can help you with this process and make sure you’re getting all relevant footage.

Obtain Copies of Receipts

You can also ask the establishment for copies of receipts related to the intoxicated individual’s alcohol purchases. If the person was with you or someone you know, they may have the receipts themselves. In any case, it’s important to ensure that the receipts clearly show the purchases made by the individual and their time of service.

Langlew Law Firm: Dram Shop Liability Lawyer Who Will Fight for Your Rights

When an establishment’s negligence leads to your injury, you shouldn’t have to bear the burden alone. The team at Langley Law Firm is committed to helping victims of alcohol-related accidents pursue justice and hold responsible parties accountable under dram shop liability laws. If you or a loved one has been affected by an incident involving an intoxicated person, our dram shop liability lawyers in Reidville are ready to assist. Contact us today at (864) 667-6144 for a free consultation, and let us help you secure the compensation you deserve.