Savannah Dram Shop Liability Attorney

If you were injured in a drunk driving accident, a brawl in a bar, or another incident involving an intoxicated individual, you may have grounds to file an injury claim not only against the intoxicated person but also the establishment that served the person the alcohol. The dram shop liability lawyers at Bowen Painter Trial Lawyers can help you understand and protect your rights during this type of legal claim in Savannah. Request a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys today.

What Is Georgia’s Dram Shop Law?

Georgia’s dram shop law (Georgia Code Section 51-1-40) states that if an intoxicated person inflicts injury, property damage, or death upon himself or another, the party that sold, furnished or served the alcoholic beverage could be liable (financially responsible) for losses. However, this will only be the case if the vendor or individual knowingly provided alcohol to a person who was noticeably intoxicated, knowing that the person would soon be operating a motor vehicle, or if the vendor knew that the patron was not of legal drinking age.

When Does the Dram Shop Liability Law Apply?

Georgia’s dram shop liability law will only apply to a personal injury or wrongful death case where the provider of the alcohol (the “dram shop”) knew or reasonably should have known that the individual being served was already intoxicated or underage. For example, if a reasonable and prudent bartender would have been able to tell that an individual was intoxicated and stopped serving the patron, the dram shop may be liable for injuries or deaths that the intoxicated person caused.

What Evidence Can an Attorney Collect to Prove Dram Shop Liability in Savannah?

A thorough investigation is crucial in a dram shop liability case, as proving an establishment is liable for a patron’s intoxication can be challenging. Our dram shop liability lawyers have the resources to thoroughly investigate your injury or accident while preserving and collecting key evidence. Evidence that may be used to prove dram shop liability in Georgia includes:

  • Eyewitness statements
  • Video surveillance footage from the dram shop
  • Photographic evidence
  • An accident report
  • Dram shop employment and training records
  • Testimony from subject-matter experts

If our attorneys find evidence that the bar, restaurant, or liquor store failed to properly train its employees, did not have policies in place to prevent overserving its patrons, did not monitor a patron’s consumption, encouraged patrons to become intoxicated, served someone after closing time or did not check an underage patron’s ID, we can use this evidence to build a compelling case against the dram shop for your damages.

What Financial Compensation Is Available?

Georgia’s dram shop liability law can be important if you wish to maximize your financial recovery after a drunk driving accident or another incident involving an intoxicated individual in Savannah. This is because an intoxicated individual may not have enough insurance to fully cover your injuries and losses.

Holding a bar, restaurant, or another establishment liable for your accident can provide greater insurance coverage and result in a larger settlement for your injuries and losses. You may be eligible for financial compensation for your health care costs, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and more from the intoxicated individual as well as a dram shop with this type of lawsuit.

Contact Our Savannah Dram Shop Liability Lawyers Today for a Free Case Evaluation

Contact Bowen Painter Trial Lawyers if you were recently injured by an intoxicated individual in Savannah, Georgia, or the surrounding areas. Our dram shop liability attorneys in Savannah can analyze your case to let you know if we believe you have grounds to hold the dram shop responsible. If so, we can help you navigate a complex or confusing claim against a third-party alcohol vendor for maximum financial compensation.

Discuss your case in more detail and find out how our Savannah personal injury attorneys can help during a free case review. Call (912) 335-1909 or contact us online today.