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Drunk driving accidents are often deadly and are always 100% preventable. Of course the drunk driver is legally and morally responsible. But what about the bar or restaurant that continued to serve alcohol to the person who looked drunk and could barely stand? This type of negligence can and does occur, and under what is known as “dram shop” laws of both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, this kind of behavior is likely to lead to civil liability.
Bars and restaurants can reap huge profits, especially from the binge drinking habits of young adults. Bartender tips can reach several hundred dollars per night. Bar and restaurant owners need to train their staff appropriately about serving alcohol to someone who is visibly intoxicated. It’s not only the law, but is reasonably necessary to prevent deaths and serious injuries.
In Pennsylvania or New Jersey, a business which serves alcohol is legally required NOT to 1. serve those who are already, visibly intoxicated and 2. serve minors. This means ensuring that all front-end employees are trained to stop such activity, including:
- managers,
- bartenders,
- bar backs,
- servers,
- hostesses, and
- security.
Liability from serving too much alcohol can stem from a drunk driving accident, a fight or some other kind of foreseeable mishap. In addition, minors who are served alcohol and then injure themselves in drunk driving accidents may have viable claims against bars or restaurants.
The key in these kinds of cases is prompt investigation. To read more about investigation in a bar and restaurant liability case involving alcohol, click here.
Pennsylvania and New Jersey Bar/Restaurant Liability Law Firm
Our lawyers have represented many clients against bars and restaurants for negligence stemming from serving too much alcohol or serving a minor. For more information, contact our Pennsylvania and New Jersey bar/restaurant alcohol liability lawyers.
Our attorneys serve accident victims in the following areas: Allegheny County, PA; Berks County, PA; Bucks County, PA; Chester County, PA; Delaware County, PA; Lehigh County, PA; Montgomery County, PA; Northampton County, PA: Philadelphia County, PA; Atlantic County, NJ; Burlington County, NJ; Camden County, NJ; Cumberland County, NJ; Gloucester County, NJ; Salem County, NJ; New Castle County, DE; he County, DE; Atlantic City, NJ; Philadelphia, PA; Pittsburgh, PA; Newark, NJ; Doylestown, PA; Media, PA; West Chester, PA; Norristown, PA; Camden, NJ; Wilmington, DE; Newark, DE; Georgetown, DE; and New Castle, DE. Our lawyers can obtain special admission in other states, such as New York, on a case by case basis.
**This website does not provide legal advice. Every case is unique and it is crucial to get a qualified, expert legal opinion prior to making any decisions about your case. See the full disclaimer at the bottom of this page.
Published: October 18, 2012
