Who is Responsible for the Alcohol-Related Accident?
Drunk drivers can be held criminally responsible for their decision to drive drunk, and a personal injury or wrongful death claim against the drunk driver enables the victim or victim’s family to hold the driver civilly responsible. However, Connecticut law enables victims of alcohol-related accidents to pursue additional liability against commercial establishments in certain circumstances. This is known as dram shop liability. Restaurants, bars, nightclubs and other establishments that serve alcohol have a duty to serve responsibly. If the commercial establishment or social host over-served a visibly drunk patron, and that individual subsequently caused an accident that resulted in injuries or fatalities, the establishment or host may also be held liable.
