Liability Issues In Alcohol-Related Crashes
Despite an aggressive crackdown against “drunk” drivers which began in the 1980s, alcohol is still responsible for about a third of the fatal car crashes in Tampa. If these victims sustain serious injuries, they are eligible for compensation for both economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering. In some extreme cases, additional punitive damages may be available as well.
To win such claims, victims must establish negligence by a preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not). As outlined below, there are basically two ways to prove negligence in these cases.
First Party Liability
Alcohol is a depressant that slows the nervous system, so people who drink have slow physical reactions, a slow thought process, and difficulty concentrating. Furthermore, alcohol gives people a sense of euphoria that impairs judgement. All these things make it dangerous to operate a motor vehicle while drinking.
These effects begin with the first drink, so even though tortfeasors (negligent drivers) may not be legally intoxicated, consumption alone is enough to establish breach of the duty of reasonable care. Evidence of consumption includes:
- Bloodshot eyes,
- An odor of alcohol,
- Erratic driving, and
- Prior stop at a place that served alcohol.
Taken individually, these factors may not establish alcohol consumption, as for example, many people go to parties where alcohol is served yet they do not drink. But collectively, they are powerful evidence of consumption, especially since the standard of proof in civil cases is rather low.
In most alcohol-involved crash cases, authorities arrest the tortfeasor for DUI. In these cases, the negligence per se (negligence “as such”) shortcut usually applies. Instead of the five elements in a traditional negligence case (duty, breach, cause, proximate cause and damages), victims in negligence per se cases must only establish that the tortfeasor:
- Violated a penal law, and
- That violation caused injury.
If both elements are present, the tortfeasor is usually liable for damages as a matter of law.
Third Party Liability
In many cases, particularly ones that involve a wrongful death or other catastrophic injury, the individual tortfeasor may not have sufficient insurance coverage to fully compensate the victim. Fortunately, there are several vicarious liability theories that may give victims an additional source of recovery.
Florida’s dram shop law holds restaurants, private clubs, grocery stores, and other commercial alcohol providers liable for damages if they sell alcohol to:
- An underage person, or
- Someone whom the business owner knows is “habitually addicted” to alcohol.
Strict liability usually applies in the first instance, as it is normally not a defense that the tortfeasor “looked older.” In the second instance, the victim must present evidence of knowledge.
Even though grocery stores, convenience stores, and other such outlets do not sell consumable alcohol, it is legally foreseeable that the tortfeasor will open the container and drink on the way home, so liability usually attaches.
The dram shop law only applies to commercial sales. Even though Florida does not have a social host liability law, hosts may still be liable for damages if their intoxicated guests cause car crashes under the negligent undertaking doctrine. Assume Hector Host says he will call a taxi for Drunk Debbie, but Hector fails to do so. Debbie then drives home and crashes into Vincent Victim. Under these facts, Hector may be liable for Vincent’s damages.
Typically, if there is more than one responsible party, a judge will apportion the victim’s damages between them based on their percentage of fault.
Reach Out to Savvy Attorneys
Alcohol crash victims may be entitled to significant compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Tampa, contact The Matassini Law Firm, P.A. We are eager to assist you today.
Resource:
cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/impaired_driving/impaired-drv_factsheet.html
