In Illinois, a car accident caused by a drunk driver could include filing a case under the Illinois Dram Shop Law. A bar, restaurant, or liquor store serving alcoholic beverages may held liable if this law was violated.
If you were injured by a drunk driver, it is vital that all the facts are investigated. Facts including where, when, and how the driver became intoxicated are crucial. The Chicago dram shop liability attorneys at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates can assist you in every aspect of your case, including investigating restaurant or bar liability.
We are a client-centered firm that focuses on protecting the rights of individuals in personal injury cases. One of the actions taken in a drunk driving injury case could be to establish the following:
- The driver was under the influence at the time of the accident.
- A vendor sold or served alcoholic beverages to an intoxicated individual.
- The injuries sustained in a drunk driving accident were at least in part the result of the alcoholic beverage sold or consumed by the driver.
- An innocent party was injured due to the actions of the drunk driver.
What is a Dram Shop Case?
A Dram Shop case involves an alcohol seller such as a bar or a restaurant. It may be successfully argued in court an accident occurred because a restaurant acted negligently by serving too much alcohol to an intoxicated patron.
There are two types of dram shop cases:
- First-party Dram Shop Cases
- Third-party Dram Shop Cases
In either type of cases, liability can be difficult to determine. A full investigation into the facts, along with gathering supporting evidence and witness testimony may prove that a bar or restaurant acted irresponsibly. The bar or restaurant could be held liable for the injuries and other damages in a Chicago drunk driving accident.
In Illinois, dram shop laws are widely applicable. The laws are written as such with the intention of preventing bar owners from serving people who are clearly intoxicated.
First-Party Dram Shop Cases
In a first-party dram shop case, the person who was injured is who was served the alcoholic beverages. This would include cases in which a person drove while intoxicated. Subsequently, there would be a vehicle accident in which he or she sustained serious injuries.
In Illinois, dram shop laws were put in place to protect the consumer. Minors who have been illegally served alcohol at a bar or restaurant should seek help from Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates at once. It is a negligent act if bar or restaurant employees serve a minor alcohol without checking identification leading to intoxicated driving. Our litigation team can pursue damages in civil court.
Third-Party Dram Shop Cases
A third-party dram case occurs when you are injured in an accident caused by an intoxicated driver who was served alcohol at a bar or restaurant. If a person consumed too much alcohol at a bar or restaurant and then drives, leading to an injury accident, the victim may be able to file a third-party dram shop case to seek compensation for all damages.
The Illinois Dram Shop Law was established in an effort to hold businesses accountable for overserving alcohol to patrons. Drunk driving is a leading cause of death on the streets and highways in Illinois. In cases in which an injury accident was the result of drunk driving, Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates can investigate the facts to determine if a dram shop case can be filed to pursue compensation above and beyond what is possible through an insurance claim.
Seek Legal Assistance Today
At Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates in Chicago, Illinois, our family has worked on personal injury cases for over three generations—since 1924. Our focus is on helping our clients seek full compensation in cases of drunk driving accidents. Get help from our experienced Chicago drunk driving accident lawyers to help you seek the maximum in compensation. Contact Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates to schedule a free consultation.
