Accidents involving drunk drivers can be devastating. The drunk driver is usually the one responsible, but other people or groups may also be held liable as well. Depending on the details, you might be able to get compensation from more than just the driver.
It can be difficult to figure out who is responsible for a drunk driving accident. But finding the liable party is necessary to get the compensation you deserve.
If you were hit by a drunk driver, then you should contact drunk driving accident attorneys right away. These professionals can help you find all the liable parties, not just the drunk driver.
Below are all the parties you can hold liable for a drunk driving accident.
1. The Drunk Driver
Most of the time, the drunk driver is to blame for the accident and must pay for it. When someone drives while drunk or high, they break their duty of care to other people on the road. Losses occur because the driver broke their duty, and they can be sued for compensation. However, the drunk driver might not be completely liable if other things led to the accident.
2. Bars, Restaurants, and Liquor Stores
Dram shop laws say that businesses that serve alcohol to drunk people can also be held accountable for an accident involving a drunk driver. These laws are in place to stop restaurants, bars, and liquor stores from serving alcohol to people who are clearly already drunk. If an intoxicated person causes an accident because they were given too much alcohol, the establishment may be partly liable for the accident.
3. Social Hosts
Not only can businesses be held liable for drunk driving accidents, but social hosts can be as well. A social host is someone who serves alcohol at private events such as parties or family gatherings. If a guest drives while obviously drunk, the host could be held responsible for the damage, especially if they knew the guest was going to drive. A social host is usually liable if they:
- Served alcohol to someone who was obviously drunk
- Allowed them to leave the event
4. Vehicle Manufacturers
A defective vehicle or a mechanical problem may sometimes contribute to an accident. The vehicle manufacturer could be held responsible for design, production, or maintenance flaws that led to or made the accident worse. This is true when the flaw directly causes the accident, such as when brakes don’t work or airbags don’t work and hurt people.
5. Government Entities
The city or state government, which is in charge of keeping the roads safe, is another possible source of liability. The government could be held responsible if the accident was caused by bad road conditions, such as
- Missing signs
- Potholes
- Bad road planning
For instance, if an accident happens because a road wasn’t lit properly or a dangerous intersection wasn’t planned properly, the government can be held liable alongside the drunk driver.
6. Other Drivers
A third-party driver could sometimes be responsible for a drunk driving accident. For instance, if another driver is careless or creates a dangerous situation that pushes the drunk driver to act in a dangerous way, that other driver could be held partly responsible for the accident along with the drunk driver.
