When Alcohol Over-Service Contributes to an Accident
Liquor Liability Laws in Oregon and Washington
Any establishment that serves alcohol has a legal responsibility to refuse service to someone who is visibly intoxicated. Alcohol over-service laws in Oregon and Washington state that bar owners are legally liable when alcohol over-service results in personal injury or property damage.
These laws are sometimes called dram shop laws, and a good personal injury lawyer will investigate whether alcohol over-service contributed to any accident where alcohol is involved.
Example: Two-Car Drunk Driving Accident
Imagine a two-car vehicular assault accident where one driver is shown to be impaired by alcohol. The driver and passenger of the second car both sustain injuries. Investigation reveals that the driver was visibly and noticeably impaired before leaving the bar where he or she was drinking. In addition to suing the drunk driver who caused the crash, the injured parties may also sue the owner of the bar for alcohol over-service.
The Harlan Law Firm — We Understand Alcohol Over-Service Laws
One of the most important jobs of a personal injury attorney is investigating where the money will come from to compensate a client after an injury. In many cases, the person who is originally identified as the primary defendant does not have sufficient insurance or personal assets to pay for the injury he or she caused. For this reason, a savvy personal injury lawyer will always take the time to thoroughly investigate each personal injury case to identify every party who may have legal liability for his client's injuries.
The Harlan Law Firm has a record of success obtaining just and equitable settlements or jury verdicts for our personal injury clients. Our lead attorney, Beau Harlan, understands the importance of conducting a thorough investigation to uncover all potential defendants after an accident causes a serious injury or untimely death.
Get Legal Advice After an Accident Involving Alcohol Overconsumption
At the Harlan Law Firm, we handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that our clients pay no legal fees unless and until we win for them the compensation they deserve.
If you are seeking legal advice after an injury accident that may have been caused by sales of liquor to intoxicated people, contact our office today to schedule an initial consultation. Call 360.735.8200 or send us an e-mail.
