Thursday, October 4, 2007

Liquor Store’s Liability for Drunk Drivers

In the United States, many people lose their lives each year due to car accidents caused by intoxicated drivers. California is one of the states in the country with the most number of bars, restaurants and other establishments serving liquors to patrons. Consequently, there are a growing number of car accidents caused by having intoxicated drivers. DUI accidents and cases filed and pending in court are already clogging the court dockets in the said state.

Drunk drivers should be held accountable for accidents caused by their intoxication. However, they are not the only ones to be held liable, penalized and prosecuted for these alcohol-related vehicle accidents.

If you are a victim of a driving-under-influence of liquor or DUI accident, you can definitely claim damages against the drunk driver. The usual damages to be sought after include the following:

- property damage, actual medical costs based on your evaluation
- treatments, surgeries and rehabilitation and future health care costs when necessary
- loss of income for salaries unable to earn due to absence from work, and;
- Pain and suffering brought about by the trauma you experienced because of the devastating accident caused by a drunk driver's negligence.

As you can see, you can claim a lot from the drunk driver including punitive damages aside from the economic ones, as penalty for the grave misconduct committed by the drunk driver. Punishment for drunk drivers would also help to deter others who might be thinking of getting behind the wheels after drinking.

If you are a victim of a vehicle caused by a drunk driver, you need the assistance of an expert car accident and personal injury lawyer to help you claim for damages.

Aside from the drunk drivers themselves, liquor stores can also be made liable for serving liquor drinks to already intoxicated individuals. These establishments must not only think about the profits they earn from selling liquors and intoxicating drinks. They should also be aware that what they serve to their patrons could affect them in such a way that when they leave the establishments, they have to drive a car and they might get into an accident when too intoxicated.

It is negligent for an establishment to serve liquor continuously to already intoxicated patrons. It can be reasonably inferred that these intoxicated patrons may hurt themselves or others once they lost control of their faculties.

Expert car accident lawyers can help you pursue not only the drunk driver but also establishments that serve liquor without monitoring their patrons' conditions.

Having the right lawyer to pursue your claim would be helpful in holding people accountable and preventing others from committing the same negligent act. This step helps to protect others who might also be involved in DUI accidents.

Our Los Angeles Attorneys are very competent in handling slip and fall injuries and other personal injury related cases.

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