We have blogged often in past few months about the dangers of drunk driving.
They are obvious. The rule is simple: DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE!!
More recently, we have blogged about the responsibility of bars and restaurants for death or personal injury caused by a guest or customer who was served too much alcohol. Texas law prohibits restaurants and bars from over-serving alcohol.
The usual scenario is the guest is over-served, tries to drive home, is too drunk to drive, and then injures or kills someone. It’s a tragedy that unfolds almost every day in Texas and elsewhere.
Another Senseless Tragedy in North Texas
We are sad to report that North Texas has, yet again, lost another human soul — a 21-year-old young woman from Canada — because of a reported drunk driver on I-20 in Arlington. A report on the death is here courtesy of KRLD.
The names of the deceased young lady and the alleged drunk driver are disclosed in this article. We, of course, do not know the details of what occurred. The criminal legal process will determine whether the man accused was actually drunk and caused this tragedy.
Dram Shop Laws Hold Negligent Bars and Restaurants Accountable
Of course, if the man accused was drunk driving and had been drinking to excess at a bar or restaurant, then the deceased woman’s family could have a viable Texas dram shop claim. The bar or restaurant that over-served alcohol would be the defendant. Most bars and restaurants have so-called “liquor liability” insurance, often in amounts of at least $1,000,000.
Money is never sufficient to replace a lost life or to help heal an injury. However, as civil lawyers, we operate in an arena in which money is the only form of recovery that is available.
Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP Can Help
The bottom line is that if either you, a loved one, or friend has been severely injured or killed by a drunk driver, do not give up! If the drunk was served alcohol at a Texas bar or restaurant (the police will usually know that), the bar or restaurant likely has liquor-liability insurance – perhaps quite a lot of it. It’s then worth immediately calling the Texas dram shop lawyers at Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP for a free consultation.
We have recovered millions in damages under Texas’s dram shop laws for victims of drunk drivers, and would be honored to analyze and investigate any case you bring us. It is important to act quickly, however. It’s far better to retain counsel soon after one of these incidents occurs so that measures can be taken to preserve evidence of obvious intoxication such as security videos and/or drink/credit card receipts. Act now – call us today at (214) 231-0555 or fill out our easy online contact form.
