People often call alcohol a social lubricant. Drinking makes people more relaxed and outgoing, making it easier to interact with strangers or groups in a social environment.
Many parties and get-togethers feature alcohol. Unfortunately, not everyone makes responsible decisions about how much alcohol they ingest in a social environment. When they eventually leave, they may not be able to drive safely because of their elevated blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
Occasionally, those who drink too much at parties cause crashes on their way back home. Is a social host liable for collisions caused by guests who have had too much to drink?
Virginia does not recognize social host liability
In many states, third parties can be at least partially liable for drunk driving crashes. Dram shop laws permit lawsuits brought against establishments for violating rules regarding the service of alcohol.
Social hosts may also be legally and financially liable in cases where they over-serve inebriated people or provide alcohol to minors. If the drunk driver cannot sufficiently compensate the people affected, third party claims can help injured people cover their collision expenses.
Virginia does not have a social host liability statute. Drunk drivers are typically the only party liable for the crashes they cause. Their insurance can help cover the costs of property damage and injuries. If their insurance is insufficient, then people may file lawsuits against drunk drivers.
Learning more about liability rules can help people recover their losses. Anyone negatively impacted by a motor vehicle collision may need assistance evaluating insurance coverage and learning more about liability statutes, and that is okay.
