Bar Owner Could be Liable for Drunk Driver

With fatal auto accidents, lawsuits are often filed against a negligent driver, but in certain cases, local businesses can also be held liable. Thirty states, including Indiana, have statutory provisions that allow licensed establishments such as restaurants, bars, and liquor stores to be held liable for selling or serving alcohol to individuals who cause injuries or death as a result of their intoxication. Victims and their families should promptly seek legal counsel to determine fault and obtain compensation. Losing a family member is devastating enough, but may also be accompanied by immediate expenses, such as medical bills and funeral and burial expenses. After a suit is filed, if the plaintiff needs financial assistance to withstand during a lengthy litigation process, seeking litigation funding may be the answer.

On July 28, 2012, a vehicle struck a utility pole and flipped over. The driver was thrown from the vehicle; he was not wearing a seatbelt. Luckily, he survived the accident, but is passengers did not. The 32-year-old man left the scene and went home where he did call 911. He told police he did so because he could not find his phone at the site of the accident. When police arrived at the scene, they found three other bodies – the driver’s wife and another couple – which had been thrown from the vehicle. All three were not wearing seatbelts.
The sole survivor claimed his wife was driving the CJ7 Jeep at the time of the crash when a deer ran into the roadway causing the accident. But, a jury recently ruled differently charging him on three counts of causing death while operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol level of .15 or greater.

Now the families of the deceased have filed civil lawsuits claiming Salt Creek Brewery provided alcoholic beverages to the man knowing he was intoxicated. The suits claims the group was on their way home from the brewery when the fatal accident occurred. All are asking the court to “award a judgment sufficient to compensate for loss of love and companionship, incurred medical expenses, funeral expenses and burial expenses and all other relief as is just and proper in the premises.” Jury trials are scheduled later this year.

Lawsuits like this are about holding all responsible, including restaurants and bars, fully accountable for their actions. The bar will likely mount a vigorous defense causing the lawsuits to drag out for months, if not years. For plaintiffs who feel they cannot financially wait to seek justice, litigation funding can help.
Litigation funding is a non-recourse cash advance for those who need immediate cash to avoid settling a case too soon, for less than full case value. The only collateral required is a pending lawsuit. There are no credit checks or employment verifications, and unlike a bank loan, there are no monthly payments. The application takes less than five minutes; approvals typically take less than 48 hours. Litigation funding is risk-free; repayment is contingent on the outcome of the case meaning if the case is lost, repayment is excused. Call Litigation Funding Corporation today for a free, no-obligation consultation or to apply.

Tagged with: , ,