Large Number of Drunk Drivers Drive After Leaving Restaurant, Bar or Club
We recently wrote about a new study that found that 10% of people who were considered binge drinkers (5 or more drinks on one occasion at least once a month) drove after getting drunk. The study found that about half of them drove from a restaurant, bar or nightclub. Some of these people are causing serious traffic crashes, and all of them are at increased risk of causing traffic crashes.
Obviously, anyone who causes a traffic accident because he/she was drunk and driving improperly is financially responsible for any injuries or deaths that result in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. However, a restaurant, bar or nightclub may also bear some responsibility for a traffic crash caused by one of its customers. Restaurant, bar and nightclub owners cannot just provide excessive amounts of alcohol to its customers, or additional alcohol after a customer is clearly drunk, and watch them walk out of the door to their vehicles. If a restaurant, bar or club serves alcohol to a customer who is apparently intoxicated and has reason to believe that he/she may be driving from that location, they may be liable for damages that driver causes in a traffic accident after leaving the restaurant, bar or nightclub.
When we handle personal injury and wrongful death cases where a drunk driver caused the accident, important inquiries are made into how and where the at-fault driver became so intoxicated. That investigation may lead to the discovery of another party that could have prevented the traffic crash and is partially responsible for the damages caused by the accident.
