Dram Shop Cases

How Georgia Dram Shop Laws Work

The purpose of dram shop laws is to discourage alcohol vendors like bars, restaurants, and convenience stores from providing alcohol to people who reasonably should not have it. If the vendor does sell alcohol to such a person, and that person later causes a drunk driving accident, then the vendor can be partially liable for the damages.

Two important factors for dram shop laws to be applicable:

1. The vendor must have knowingly sold or provided alcohol to a minor or someone who is “noticeably intoxicated.”
2. The vendor must have had reasons to know that the minor or intoxicated patron would soon operate a motor vehicle.

Imagine this example: A man stumbles into a convenience store, grabs a bottle of whisky, and purchases it at the counter. While there, they have car keys in their hand. The vendor completes the sale, and the man gets in their car and crashes it into someone minutes later. The convenience store could be held liable under Georgia dram shop law because reasonable evidence was there to suggest that the man was drunk and that he was going to drive soon.

There is a lot of gray area in the law, though. An alcohol vendor could try to argue that the patron wasn’t clearly intoxicated, or that they had no idea that they were going to get in their car while still intoxicated. To give your case a fair chance of succeeding, you should always build it with the help of our dram shop lawyers. 

Georgia Social Host Liability Laws

In Georgia, there is a social host liability law that acts similar to the dram shop law. Social hosts like friends, family members, and neighbors should not provide alcohol to minors or noticeably drunk people who might then drive a vehicle shortly after. If they do and that minor or drunk person hurt someone in a DUI accident, then the social host could be partially liable.

Dram Shop Claim Statutes Of Limitations

Georgia has a two-year statute of limitations on most dram shop accident cases. It begins on the date of the car accident that the drunk driver caused. If no claim is filed before the statute ends, then no claim can be filed afterward. Don’t miss your chance to hold an alcohol vendor or social host liable for their negligence. Take legal action soon.

Use Your Right To Compensation – Act Now

Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys in Savannah is ready and willing to help you with a dram shop claim. All you have to do is dial (912) 809-5335 and request a FREE consultation. We accept calls 24/7, so don’t hesitate to reach out at the first moment that you can.