North Carolina Dram Shop liability law prohibits bars, restaurants, ABC stores and other establishments from serving alcohol to certain customers. Juries can hold these businesses liable for damages when their actions result in drunk driving accidents. Similarly, people who serve alcohol at gatherings or parties in their homes could be liable when their guests drive drunk and cause car accidents and harm to others. Known as social host liability, party-holders are still liable if someone drinks and drives.
North Carolina state statutes regulate the sale of alcohol. These statutes specifically prohibit giving or selling alcohol to intoxicated people or to underage people by licensees of permittees of the State. State appeals court decisions have allowed injured victims to seek compensation from bars and other businesses for their injuries, medical bills, and other damages.
Who Enabled the Drunk Driver?
Dram Shop liability requires evidence that the liquor establishment or social host served alcohol to someone who should not have been served. For example, someone who was visibly intoxicated, under the legal drinking age, or who they knew or should have known was going to operate a motor vehicle on the public roads. With this in mind, you will need an experienced attorney who can present a well-documented case for compensation.
You must be able to prove that:
- A bar, restaurant, or other merchant served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated individual or a minor.
- An establishment over-served an individual who then operated a motor vehicle.
- The bar, restaurant, or other merchant knew or should have known that the individual would be operating a motor vehicle.
- The impaired driver caused you harm.
Proving these elements can be tough, but Maginnis Howard’s head personal injury attorney, T. Shawn Howard, has recovered millions for victims and their families.
Compensation in Dram Shop Liability Cases
Just like in other types of motor vehicle collision and drunk driving claims, you are entitled to seek compensation in North Carolina Dram Shop liability cases. In many instances, it can be difficult to collect the compensation you are due from an impaired driver. This may be because the drunk driver’s insurance policy limit is not high enough, and/or because he or she does not have the necessary assets to afford your rightful settlement or verdict. Many North Carolina automobile insurance policies have limits as low as $30,000.
Acting against a liable establishment may allow you to collect the compensation you deserve. In fact, commercial general liability policies frequently have policy limits as high as $1,000,000 or more. Depending on the nature of your individual case, you may be able to seek compensation for the following damages:
- Emergency medical transportation.
- Medical treatment, including ongoing care, medical assistance, etc.
- Lost income and/or wages.
- Lost or reduced earning capacity (disability).
- Pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress.
- Vehicle damage.
Representation for Dram Shop Cases
If you or a loved one have been injured because of the negligent sale of alcohol to a minor or an intoxicated person, the personal injury attorneys of Maginnis Law may be able to help. Our office offers free consultations and contingency fee arrangements for personal injury and wrongful death cases, including Dram Shop and Social Host cases. The firm has successfully handles these cases in the past, recovering nearly $3,000,000 in a 2018 Dram Shop case.
Our firm handles cases involving injuries caused by drunk drivers across North and South Carolina. Visit our contact page for information on the closest Maginnis Howard location to you. We are conveniently located in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Fayetteville, and can travel to meet you.
