People who drive after drinking are responsible for their own decisions. Education about the perils of drunk driving is a mandatory part of pre-licensing courses. Additionally, public education campaigns help keep the public aware of the risks of drunk driving.
Motorists who get behind the wheel after having too much to drink are responsible for the consequences of their own decisions. However, those who drive while drunk may not necessarily have the personal resources to compensate the people affected by the crash.
Particularly in scenarios where other parties sustain catastrophic injuries or someone dies, looking into other sources of compensation might be necessary. Sometimes, those affected by drunk driving crashes can take legal action against businesses. When is such litigation an option?
When drunk drivers drank at a licensed establishment
Businesses generally have to abide by alcohol service laws to retain their license to dispense alcohol to the public. Flagrant violations of alcohol regulations can result in liability in some jurisdictions.
In Rhode Island, for example, those injured by drunk drivers in this state may hold a licensed bar or restaurant responsible under the Liquor Liability Act. If workers serve alcohol to minors or those visibly drunk already, the business may be liable if that patron leaves and causes a wreck.
When the drunk driver was on the clock
Many people drive as part of their daily work responsibilities, and employers should make every reasonable effort to ensure that their workers are sober while on the road. Liability rules make employers responsible for their workers’ mistakes and misconduct while on the job.
If an employee’s job responsibilities include driving and they cause a crash, the employer may have a degree of liability for the losses generated by the incident. Their insurance policies could potentially help compensate those affected by the wreck.
The higher the total expenses generated by a drunk driving case, the more important it may be to look at alternate options for compensation. Taking legal action against a business in addition to a drunk driver can be a viable solution in some cases.
