Bridgeport, Connecticut Dram Shop Liability Lawyers

Attorneys Helping Victims Take Action Against Bars or Restaurants After Drunk Driving Accidents in Bridgeport

Families and communities throughout Connecticut may be affected by drunk driving accidents. When an intoxicated driver causes a collision, victims may take steps to address the driver's reckless decision to get behind the wheel after drinking. However, Connecticut law also recognizes that bars, restaurants, and other establishments that serve alcohol may bear responsibility for serving patrons who go on to cause injuries to others. The state's "dram shop" laws may provide an additional avenue for victims to recover compensation for injuries suffered in a drunk driving accident.

Dram shop laws are meant to ensure that establishments that serve alcohol do so responsibly. When bars continue serving customers who are visibly intoxicated or when restaurants ignore signs of impairment, these businesses may contribute to the dangers that could affect other people on the road. At Tremont Sheldon P.C., our attorneys can help victims understand their options for recovering compensation following a drunk driving accident, and we will work to ensure that all liable parties are held responsible.

Connecticut's Dram Shop Law

Connecticut General Statutes § 30-102 establishes civil liability for establishments that serve alcohol to people who then cause harm to others. The law may be used to hold bars, restaurants, liquor stores, or other establishments liable when they sell or deliver alcoholic beverages to people who are intoxicated or minors under the age of 21. If a person causes injuries to someone else as a result of their intoxication, the establishment that served alcohol to them can be held responsible for the victim's damages.

To recover compensation, an injury victim will typically need to prove that the establishment's sale or delivery of alcohol led to an accident or injuries. A direct connection between over-serving alcohol to a patron and the accident will usually need to be established. Simply showing that an establishment served alcohol to someone who later caused an accident may not be sufficient. The intoxication resulting from the service of alcohol must have been a substantial factor in causing the collision.

Proving an Establishment's Liability

Building a successful dram shop case requires demonstrating several key elements, which may require specific types of evidence. An injury victim must first establish that the establishment sold or delivered alcohol to the drunk driver. This may be demonstrated through receipts, credit card statements, or surveillance video showing the person at the establishment. Witness testimony from other patrons, employees, or others who were present can also prove that the person consumed alcohol at the location in question.

It may also be necessary to show that a driver was visibly intoxicated when the establishment continued serving them. Signs of visible intoxication may include slurred speech, stumbling or loss of balance, difficulty with coordination, bloodshot or glassy eyes, loud or inappropriate behavior, aggression or mood changes, and drowsiness or loss of consciousness. Witnesses who observed the driver at the establishment may be able to testify about these signs. Video surveillance from the bar or restaurant can provide visual evidence of intoxication.

In cases involving service of alcohol to minors, it may be necessary to show that the person was under 21 and that the establishment knew or should have known that they were underage. Evidence may include the person's identification documents, testimony about whether staff checked identification, and the person's appearance. Many establishments have policies requiring identification checks, and failure to follow these policies may be considered negligence.

Proving that the intoxication caused or substantially contributed to the accident may involve testimony from accident reconstruction professionals about how impairment affected a person's driving ability, the drunk driver's blood alcohol concentration at the time of the crash, the nature of the driver's errors that led to the collision, and evidence that a sober driver would likely have avoided the accident. Medical records, police reports, and toxicology results can also establish intoxication levels.

Steps Followed During a Dram Shop Claim

Gathering evidence immediately after an accident can help to preserve information that might otherwise be lost. Surveillance video from bars and restaurants may only be stored for a short period before being deleted or recorded over. Obtaining this footage quickly through legal demands can provide crucial evidence of the driver's intoxication and the establishment's service.

Identifying witnesses who were at the establishment and observed the drunk driver can also be helpful. Other patrons, bartenders, servers, and security staff may have seen signs of intoxication, and they may be able to testify about how much the person drank. These witnesses may be difficult to locate if an investigation is not performed quickly.

Police reports and arrest records can provide official documentation of a driver's intoxication. Police reports typically include an officer's observations about the driver's condition, field sobriety test results, and blood alcohol concentration measurements. These documents can serve as the foundation of a dram shop claim.

Investigating the establishment's policies and training can help determine whether staff members should have recognized the signs of intoxication. If an establishment did not provide adequate training to employees, this may demonstrate negligence. Reviewing the establishment's history of previous violations or complaints can show patterns of irresponsible service of alcohol. A history of over-serving patrons or serving alcohol to minors may demonstrate systematic problems rather than an isolated mistake.

Limitations and Challenges in Dram Shop Cases

Connecticut's dram shop law includes important limitations that affect how much compensation you can recover and how long you have to file your claim. The damages in dram shop cases are capped at $250,000. This cap applies regardless of the actual severity of the injuries suffered by a victim or the amount of their economic and non-economic damages.

Because of this cap, pursuing claims against both the drunk driver and the establishment can be important to help a person maximize the compensation they can receive. Claims against a drunk driver are not subject to this limit. At Tremont Sheldon P.C., our lawyers can develop an effective legal strategy to recover compensation from all available sources.

The statute of limitations for dram shop claims is one year from the date of the injury. This is significantly shorter than the two-year period that applies in most personal injury claims in Connecticut. Missing this deadline will cause a person to lose their right to pursue a dram shop claim entirely. Due to this short deadline, it is critical to consult with legal counsel immediately after a drunk driving accident. Investigations can take time, and legal filings must be prepared carefully. Waiting too long to seek legal help can make it difficult or impossible to meet the one-year deadline.

How Our Legal Team Handles Dram Shop Claims

Our attorneys understand the unique requirements of Connecticut dram shop cases and the challenges they present. We will begin investigating immediately to preserve evidence before it disappears. We can send preservation letters to establishments to ensure that they will retain surveillance video, sales records, and information about employee schedules. We will identify and interview witnesses while memories are fresh and contact information is available. Taking prompt action can make the difference between having the evidence needed to prove your case and losing critical information.

Our team works with professionals who can provide testimony establishing the elements of a claim. We will consult with accident reconstruction specialists who can analyze how intoxication contributed to the collision, toxicologists who can explain blood alcohol levels and their effects on a person's behavior and driving ability, and hospitality industry professionals who can testify about standards for responsible alcohol service. These professionals can help prove that the establishment should have recognized the driver's intoxication and that over-service of alcohol was directly responsible for an accident.

Our attorneys will handle all aspects of a case, including discovery, depositions, and trial preparation. We know how to present evidence clearly and persuasively, anticipating and countering the defenses that establishments may raise. When insurance companies refuse to offer fair settlements, we are prepared to take cases to trial and advocate effectively before judges and juries.

Throughout the process, our attorneys will provide compassionate representation focused on achieving results. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial challenges injury victims face after drunk driving accidents. While we handle the legal complexities of a dram shop claim, our clients can focus on recovering from their injuries.

Contact Our Bridgeport, CT Dram Shop Claim Attorneys

Drunk driving accidents are preventable tragedies that can destroy lives and families. When bars and restaurants over-serve intoxicated patrons or serve alcohol to minors, they should be held accountable for contributing to these tragedies. Connecticut's dram shop law provides a path for victims to seek justice and secure compensation, but successfully pursuing a dram shop claim will require prompt action and experienced legal representation.

At Tremont Sheldon P.C., our attorneys understand Connecticut's dram shop law, and we know how handle these claims. We are committed to helping drunk driving accident victims obtain the compensation they need to move forward. Contact our Bridgeport dram shop lawyers at 203-335-5145 to set up a free consultation.