Drunk Driver Causes Catastrophic Injury Accident
A 20-year-old man and his attorney are suing a man convicted of driving drunk and hitting the 20-year-old while he stood outside his apartment. According to this article on wtsp.com, the lawsuit also targets Shephard’s Beach Resort, the bar in Clearwater, FL that served the man before the crash. The man who was struck by the vehicle is now confined to a wheelchair. The convicted driver is currently serving an eight-year prison term.
The lawsuit claims that Shephard’s is incredibly responsible for this tragedy. An investigation showed that Shephard’s over-served the man who later caused the catastrophic injury crash. According to the article, the lawsuit says the bar served up about 10 Long Island Ice Tea drinks in just a two-hour period. Apparently, before he took to the road, the man was ejected from the bar, because on the way to the men’s room he fell against the wall and collapsed to the ground drunk. The suit also claimed bar workers then walked him to his car and watched him drive away.
The injured 20-year-old’s attorney said that although Florida alcohol laws make such a lawsuit difficult to win, they hope the suit will bring both monetary compensation and behavior changes.
Bars that over-serve their patrons should bear responsibility. Dram shop laws vary widely from state to state and cover places of business that serve alcohol — from liquor stores to bars to restaurants, theaters, and clubs — and impose liability on these establishments when they serve alcohol to someone underage or already intoxicated who then goes on to break the law or get in an accident that hurts themselves or others.
If you or a family member has been injured due to someone else’s negligence in Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia accident lawyers at Cherry, Fieger, and Marciano, LLP have the legal experience and knowledge to handle cases involving intoxication.
Due to the complex nature of dram shop laws in Pennsylvania, it is recommended that anyone dealing with an accident related to intoxication consult first with an experienced attorney who has a track record of dealing successfully with dram shop cases. Cherry, Fieger, and Marciano can offer you a free and entirely confidential case evaluation.
