Driving drunk is a dangerous and reckless decision that puts others at risk, and the law holds drunk drivers responsible for the harm they cause. In some situations, that responsibility may extend to bars and other establishments that overserve customers or serve minors.
If an intoxicated driver has injured you or someone you love, an auto collision attorney could help you seek compensation, and dram shop law could play a role in your claim. Fort Worth dram shop lawyer Brant Stogner could help you pursue damages from all parties liable for your crash.
What Is Dram Shop Law?
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code § 2.01-2.03 outlines the state’s dram shop law. Under the law, you could hold individuals and businesses licensed to serve alcohol liable if they served a driver who later injured you.
However, you must show that the driver’s intoxication directly caused your injuries and that the party who served the alcohol did so when the driver was already obviously intoxicated.
The statute also outlines social host liability. People who serve alcohol to a person under the age of 18, even in their own homes or at private events, could be liable if the intoxicated minor causes injuries or property damage. Social host liability does not apply to a minor’s parents or legal guardians.
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, Brant Stogner, your Fort Worth attorney, could apply dram shop law to seek financial accountability from bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and other hosts.
How To Prove a Dram Shop Case
Dram shop cases depend on whether an establishment overserved someone who was already visibly intoxicated, which can be challenging to prove. Your Fort Worth lawyer could help you gather evidence, which may include the following, to support your dram shop claim:
- Eyewitness testimony from patrons and employees
- Testimony from accident witnesses
- Cell phone and security footage
- Receipts and credit card statements
- Police reports
- Blood alcohol content test results
Acting quickly is essential. You must start building your case before the loss of vital evidence, such as surveillance video. It is also best to speak with witnesses while events are still fresh in their minds.
Damages You Could Recover With a Dram Shop Lawsuit
You should not have to carry the burden of medical bills and other losses resulting from a drunk driver’s negligence.
Your Fort Worth dram shop attorney, Brant Stogner, could help you pursue the resources you need to pay for your current and future medical care. They could also help you protect your finances by seeking compensation for any lost wages and diminished future earning capacity.
Additionally, you may be able to recover damages for your physical, mental, and emotional pain and suffering.
Why You Should Choose Brant Stogner
Brant Stogner is a tireless and aggressive legal advocate with extensive trial experience. He has achieved record-setting verdicts and secured compensation for hundreds of clients. His legal skills have earned him a place on the Texas Super Lawyers list every year since 2013 and inclusion in the Top 100 since 2019.
Stogner focuses on helping severely or catastrophically injured people seek justice when they have suffered harm at the hands of others. As your dram shop attorney, he could fight to hold establishments in Fort Worth accountable for overserving alcohol to customers.
Contact Attorney Brant Stogner About Your Fort Worth Dram Shop Claim
When a drunk driver causes an accident, victims deserve compensation from everyone at fault, including the businesses that overserved the driver. If you or someone you love has been hurt, Fort Worth dram shop lawyer Brant Stogner could help you build a strong case and pursue a favorable verdict and settlement.
To learn more, contact us today for a free consultation. We serve clients and assist referring attorneys.