When a bar or restaurant serves alcohol to a visibly intoxicated patron who then causes a crash, a Southaven dram shop lawyer can hold that establishment accountable. State law allows injured individuals to pursue compensation from alcohol vendors that act negligently. The Law Office of David E. Gordon & Elissa M. Coombs understands the legal framework and evidence required to pursue these cases.
Many people injured in drunk driving crashes do not realize that bars and restaurants can be held responsible. An experienced car accident attorney can assist in evaluating these over-service claims. You deserve the opportunity to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses. Our experienced car accident attorneys can review your case and explain your legal options during a free consultation.
How Can Bars Be Liable?
Dram shop claims require proof that an establishment served alcohol to someone who was visibly intoxicated and that this person caused an accident. Under Mississippi Code Annotated § 67-3-73, alcohol vendors must refuse service to visibly intoxicated patrons. When they fail to do so, they can be held liable. A Southaven attorney can help demonstrate this violation when pursuing a dram shop claim.
Proving a dram shop claim requires establishing negligence on the part of the establishment. Signs of visible intoxication include:
- Slurred speech
- Unsteady walking
- Aggressive behavior
- Impaired coordination
Servers and bartenders receive training to recognize these warning signs. Attorneys who focus on dram shop law know how to document and present this evidence effectively.
How To Build a Strong Dram Shop Case
David and Elissa work with investigators to gather evidence that supports dram shop claims. Critical evidence includes:
- Witness statements from other patrons
- Surveillance video from the establishment
- Credit card receipts and bar tabs
- Server and bartender testimony
- Police reports with toxicology results
The connection between overservice and the crash must be clear. If the intoxicated person drove directly from the bar and caused an accident shortly after, this can strengthen a claim. Working with a dram shop attorney in Southaven on overservice liability can help compile this proof.
Establishments often deny that they noticed signs of intoxication. Experienced dram shop attorneys know how to document the patron’s behavior, the amount of alcohol served, and the time frame of service to build a strong case.
Compensation Recoverable in Dram Shop Cases
Injured individuals in dram shop cases can pursue compensation for economic and non-economic losses with a Southaven attorney’s help. Economic losses may include:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
Non-economic compensation typically addresses pain and suffering, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life.
State law allows courts to award punitive compensation in cases involving particularly reckless conduct by the establishment. When bars knowingly serve visibly intoxicated patrons despite obvious signs of impairment, courts may award extra compensation to deter future violations.
Dram shop claims provide an additional avenue for recovery beyond the drunk driver’s insurance, which may be insufficient in catastrophic cases. Holding the establishment accountable ensures injured individuals have the opportunity to pursue full compensation for their losses.
Contact a Dram Shop Attorney in Southaven To Pursue Full Compensation
Dram shop cases are complicated and require thorough investigation, strong evidence, and experienced legal advocacy. The Law Office of David E. Gordon & Elissa M. Coombs handles these cases with the attention they require. We focus on building strong cases and pursuing compensation for our clients.
Call or contact us online today to discuss your case. We offer free consultations where we review your legal options and explain how we can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to speak with a Southaven dram shop lawyer.
