Can bars or night clubs be held partially responsible?
Yes, they can. Dram shop liability refers to the body of law governing the liability of taverns, liquor stores, and other commercial establishments that serve alcoholic beverages and liquor. Generally, dram shop laws establish the liability of establishments arising out of the sale of alcohol to visibly intoxicated persons or minors who subsequently cause death or injury to third-parties – those not having a relationship to the bar. These laws most commonly apply to drunk driver accident cases. If you were injured by a drunk driver, your dram shop claim could be against the bar, liquor store, or night club that sold the driver the alcohol when he or she was obviously intoxicated. In Missouri, Arizona, and Kansas, the drunk driver accident lawyers at The Law Offices of Dr. Samuel K. Cullan can help you understand dram shop laws and how they may apply to your individual case.
