Drunk Driving Injury Cases in Texas: Holding Bars and Restaurants Accountable Under Dram Shop Laws
Drunk Driving Injury Cases in Texas: Holding Bars and Restaurants Accountable Under Dram Shop Laws
When a business overserves a dangerous driver, we pursue every responsible party — not just the drunk driver.
Drunk Driving Crashes Are Not “Accidents”
Drunk driving crashes are one of the most preventable tragedies we see in Montgomery County. From Lake Conroe bars to restaurants in The Woodlands Waterway, alcohol is everywhere — and so are bad decisions. When a business continues serving someone who is already intoxicated and that person gets behind the wheel, the devastation that follows is not an accident. It is negligence.
Texas has powerful laws that allow victims to hold the bar or restaurant accountable when they break the rules.
What Is a Dram Shop Claim?
Under the Texas Dram Shop Act (Tex. Alco. Bev. Code §2.02), a business can be liable if it:
- Sold alcohol to someone who was obviously intoxicated, and
- That intoxication was a direct cause of the crash
These claims allow victims to recover compensation from commercial insurance policies — which means significantly more financial recovery compared to claims against a drunk individual with limited coverage.
How We Prove a Bar Overserved a Dangerous Driver
Bars rarely admit wrongdoing. We dig for the truth through:
- Credit card receipts and time stamps showing rapid consumption
- Video footage of visible intoxication
- Bartender and staff testimony
- Witness statements from patrons
- Expert toxicology analysis
Our goal is simple: show the jury what the bar should have seen — and stopped.
Common Injuries in Drunk Driving Collisions
Because impaired drivers fail to brake or react, their crashes often cause:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Crushed limbs and orthopedic surgeries
- Permanent spinal cord damage
- Internal organ trauma
- Wrongful death
The physical and financial toll can last a lifetime. Those responsible must be held accountable.
Why It’s Critical to Take Legal Action Fast
Evidence disappears quickly. Bars record over footage. Staff quit. Witnesses forget.
We send immediate preservation letters to stop the destruction of crucial evidence and move aggressively to secure compensation from every responsible party.