Some of the worst collisions occur due to excessive alcohol consumption. Motorists who decide to drive after drinking can cause devastating collisions. Their choices may put other people in the hospital or lead to tragedies. Typically, people want to hold drunk drivers directly accountable for crashes. Unfortunately, they may not have the resources to reimburse those affected by a wreck.
Is it ever possible for those impacted by drunk driving collisions to hold a business accountable instead of the drunk driver?
State law limits people’s options
In many jurisdictions, there are dram shop laws that protect people from drunk drivers. If an intoxicated motorist causes a crash, a bar or restaurant that violated alcohol service rules could be liable. Virginia does not have a dram shop statute, so people usually cannot sue a bar or restaurant for serving a minor or a person who is already visibly drunk.
However, a business could still potentially be liable for the crash. If a drunk driver is at work when they cause a wreck, then their employer could be liable for the collision. Vicarious liability rules make businesses responsible for the negligence and misconduct of their employees during their shifts. If a drunk driver was on the clock and driving as a job responsibility, then the business that employs them might be liable for the collision they caused.
Filing an insurance claim or lawsuit against a business can often lead to a more thorough financial recovery for those affected by a wreck. People seeking to recoup the losses triggered by a drunk driving collision may need help exploring their options, and that’s okay.
