Texas Over-Serving Alcohol Lawyer

Multi-million dollar payouts have been awarded to the victims of drunk drivers who were over-served alcohol at bars, clubs, and restaurants in Texas.

Need a Texas Over-Serving Alcohol Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was injured by a drunk person who was served too much alcohol at a bar, restaurant, or another business, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.

$20 Million Lawsuit Filed Against San Antonio Bar

In November 2021, a $20 million lawsuit was field against a bar in San Antonio, Texas, by the children of a 44-year-old cyclist who was hit and killed by a drunk driver. The lawsuit accused the bar of over-serving alcohol to a woman who was visibly intoxicated.

What Can I Get from a Lawsuit?

When a visibly intoxicated customer leaves an alcohol-serving business and injures someone, the victims can file a Dram Shop Lawsuit and hold the business responsible for paying several types of compensation, including:

Medical expenses
Pain and suffering
Lost income
Property damage
Wrongful death
And more

Texas Family Wins $10.5 Million in Drunk Driving Lawsuit Against Strip Club in Dallas

Drunk driving accidents are some of the most tragic, preventable, and common sources of lawsuits against liquor-serving establishments.

In recent years, many victims of drunk driving accidents in Texas have been awarded multi-million dollar payouts after they filed dram shop lawsuits. For example, $10.5 million was awarded the family of a woman who was killed by a drunk driver outside the Spearmint Rhino Gentleman’s Club in Dallas, Texas.

Dram Shop Lawsuits for Over-Serving Alcohol in Texas

A “dram shop” is any bar, restaurant, club, liquor store, or other business that sells alcohol, or serves alcohol for on-site consumption.

Under the Texas Dram Shop Act, it is illegal for liquor-serving establishments to continue serving alcohol to customers who are visibly intoxicated to the point where they are clearly dangerous.

Liquor-serving businesses must also check IDs to prevent minors from drinking alcohol. They must also try to stop visibly intoxicated customers from driving, such as calling a cab or taking their keys.

When these businesses over-serve alcohol to someone who is obviously drunk, they have broken the law, and they assume some responsibility for any injuries that are caused by their drunk customer.

Lawsuits for Drunk Driving Accidents in Texas

Drunk drivers who cause car accidents will likely face criminal charges, but in many cases, they are not the only ones who can be held responsible when the victims file lawsuits.

In Texas, many victims of drunk driving accidents have been awarded massive payouts when they filed lawsuits against the bar, club, or other liquor-serving establishment that over-served alcohol to an intoxicated person who caused the accident.

Lawsuits Against Adults Who Serve Alcohol to Kids

Adults who knowingly serve alcohol to minors can also be held liable for the injuries or deaths that were caused by the minor. This is called a “social host lawsuit.” Examples would include a bartender who fails to check ID, or a parent who lets high-school students party at their house.

Do I Have a Lawsuit?

In order to file a successful lawsuit against a bar for over-serving alcohol, the victims (or surviving family members) must provide evidence that the bartender, waiter, or other employees at the business should have known that the perpetrator was already too drunk, or underage, but continued to serve alcohol.

Examples of Evidence in Lawsuits Against Bars and Clubs

This evidence might include video surveillance or witness testimony from other people at the establishment. These days, text messages and social media posts from the intoxicated person are also becoming more common evidence to support dram shop lawsuits in Texas.

Here are examples of some useful types of evidence:

Failing to ask for I.D. or proof of age
Bartenders ignoring visible signs of intoxication
Continuing to serve alcohol after closing-time
Receipts for an amount of alcohol that would cause severe intoxication

How to Avoid Over-Serving Alcohol

Businesses have a right to refuse service and a responsibility to stop serving alcohol to people who are already drunk. They can also help customers avoid getting drunk by providing water and snacks to customers at minimal or no cost.

Bartenders and other alcohol-serving employees should talk to their customers, watch their behavior, and be vigilant for signs of visible alcohol intoxication, such as:

Falling or staggering when coming or leaving the establishment;
Leaning on a wall, furniture, or people for support
Slurring words
Ask the same questions over and other
Being too loud, excited, or aggressive with other people

Need a Dram Shop Lawyer in Texas?

Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.

Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”

The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our law firm for a free case review.