If you or a loved one recently sustained injuries in a vehicle accident caused by a drunk driver, you may not only have grounds for legal recourse against the intoxicated driver but other parties as well. A Denver dram shop liability accident lawyer is an ideal resource to consult if you believe that another party is responsible for serving alcohol to the driver who caused your accident.
The team at Cheney Galluzzi & Howard represents car accident victims in Denver and can help you make sense of your legal options after a drunk driving accident. While the drunk driver will obviously bear fault for the accident, it is also possible for an establishment that served them alcohol to also share fault for the incident. Dram shop liability applies when an establishment serves alcohol to an obviously intoxicated patron.
Navigating these cases can be challenging. However, with the right attorney handling your case, you can approach the situation with confidence. Dram shop liability can apply when a bar, restaurant, or other establishment serves alcohol to an obviously intoxicated patron and allows them to leave in their vehicle. All such establishments have a legal duty to stop serving patrons once they become obviously intoxicated, but some overlook this responsibility.
Recovering from this type of accident is likely to require an auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver, but you could also have grounds to file a personal injury claim if insurance will not fully cover your damages. The drunk driver may be a defendant in your case but if you have grounds for legal action against a dram shop, it will be crucial to gather evidence to also prove their liability.
Your dram shop liability accident lawyer in Denver can be a tremendous asset to your case in many ways. First, they can make it much easier for you to gather the evidence you will need to firmly establish fault for your accident. This could include traffic camera footage and testimony from witnesses who saw your accident happen, along with security camera footage and witness testimony from inside the establishment that served alcohol to the at-fault driver.
If the evidence shows that the establishment in question should have ceased service to the at-fault driver and/or failed to make any attempt to prevent them from leaving in their vehicle while intoxicated, you will likely have grounds for a claim against the dram shop. Insurance may not fully cover all your damages. In that case, you will need to prepare a personal injury claim if you want to recover as fully as Colorado law allows.
Many factors can influence the outcome of this type of case. The state will file criminal charges against the drunk driver, but the establishment responsible for serving them can also face criminal penalties. This could translate to you not only recovering compensation for your civil damages but also additional compensation in the form of punitive damages and/or restitution.
Cheney Galluzzi & Howard is ready to assist you with all aspects of your impending dram shop liability case. We understand the legal challenges you might face in the aftermath of this type of accident, and we are confident in our ability to help you recover. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with a Denver dram shop liability accident lawyer and learn how we can assist with your recovery.
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