Pennsylvania Bar & Restaurant Liability for Drunk Driving Accidents-The Importance of Prompt Investigation

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In Pennsylvania, any business which serves alcohol is required to follow two basic rules:

1. do not serve minors alcohol, and

2. do not serve alcohol to someone who is visibly intoxicated.

Liability of a Bar or Restaurant in a Pennsylvania Drunk Driving Case

A bar, restaurant or nightclub which serves alcohol to a minor or someone who is visibly intoxicated may bear liability when that minor or patron then causes an accident or other injury. Such liability is not limited to car accidents or drunk driving accidents. Bars, restaurants, nightclubs and other businesses which serve alcohol may face liability in a situation where a patron injures someone in a fight, again, if the business served that patron when he or she was visibly intoxicated, or that patron was a minor. Liability in bar fight situations is not very common. Instead, bar and restaurant liability for drunk driving accidents is much more common.

Succeeding in a Civil Drunk Driving Case Against a Bar or Restaurant in Pennsylvania

These cases usually boil down to proving that the patron was served alcohol when visibly intoxicated. Therefore, getting such a case investigated as soon as possible is very important. It can be difficult to find other people who were in the bar or restaurant. In addition, by the time a case gets filed and discovery begins, the bar or restaurant’s employees may have moved on to other employment.  Investigators should be sent out immediately to locate former employees and any eyewitnesses.

In addition, with the marked increase in use of social media like Twitter and Facebook, pictures, updates and tweets may be crucial in identifying witnesses or may even be evidence.

Related Pennsylvania Drunk Driving Accident Civil Liability Articles:

Pennsylvania Drunk Driving Bar & Restaurant Liability Lawyers

Laffey, Bucci & Kent is a Philadelphia based law firm with the experience and resources to handle drunk driving cases involving liability of bars and restaurants. For more information, contact our Pennsylvania drunk driver injury and accident lawyers. Click To Call

**This website does not provide legal advice. Every case is unique and it is crucial to get a qualified, expert legal opinion prior to making any decisions about your case. See the full disclaimer at the bottom of this page.

Published: September 9, 2012