Philadelphia Dram Shop Attorney

An unyielding advocate for victims of drunk drivers

In 2012, one person died in an alcohol-impaired driving crash every 51 minutes. If a drunk driver has injured you or a loved one, you have options in terms of seeking redress. Under Pennsylvania’s Dram Shop laws, you may be able to seek compensation from individuals and establishments who served the driver that caused your accident. For many years, The Philadelphia dram shop attorneys of van der Veen, Hartshorn and Levin have been a valuable resource for Pennsylvania and New Jersey families. Duty-bound to seek accountability for our clients, attorney van der Veen has dedicated his life to helping the injured. Our team of outstanding personal injury attorneys navigate you through this complicated area of law, giving you the strength you need when you need it most.

Who is liable for the injuries sustained in a drunk-driving accident?

Many people understand that when a drunk driver causes physical injury, he or she may be civilly liable in Pennsylvania. It is less commonly known that the state has expansive liquor liability laws. The individuals and establishments that served a drunk driver may also be held liable for injuries resulting from an accident. Known as Dram Shop laws, these regulations prohibit restaurants, bars, and hosts at private functions from serving a visibly intoxicated person. Additionally, owners and managers may be liable for the actions of employees who served the intoxicated individual.

A history of case success leveraging Pennsylvania’s Dram Shop laws

Mounting a successful case against the individuals and establishments who served an intoxicated person is not as simple as it may sound at the outset. In order to be successful, you must prove the following:

• Visible intoxication—In order to establish liability, you must show that the drunk driver was visibly intoxicated. Pennsylvania courts provide guidance on this point, focusing on the outward signs of intoxication, such as slurred speech and difficulty walking.
• Link between service and resulting injuries—It is not enough for an individual or establishment to have served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person. The act of over-serving must be shown to have led to the injuries that you suffered in the resulting accident.

The state’s Dram Shop provisions are set forth in both state laws and court rulings. In order to adroitly navigate these personal injury disputes, a Dram Shop attorney must constantly be apprised of developments in the law. Attorney van der Veen’s rare and exceptional experience handling Dram Shop cases translates into outstanding results for clients. In one case, he recovered $1.35 million from defendants that served the drunk driver who shattered the client’s life. Through unwavering commitment and steadfast determination, we fight for favorable results and win.

Why seek to hold a bar liable for injuries, instead of the drunk driver?

A Dram Shop case is often pursued in addition to a lawsuit against the drunk driver. It makes sense to seek recovery from the establishment that served the drunk driver for two primary reasons. First, owners and managers have a legal duty to serve alcohol responsibly and when they fail to do so it is important to hold them accountable. Second, it is not uncommon for the individual who caused your injuries to be unable to adequately compensate you. Medical care and treatment following a drunk-driving accident can be extensive and expensive.

If you are facing mounting medical bills, it is important to seek a settlement that best positions you to get back on your feet. Our Philadelphia Dram Shop attorneys ensure you are able to do just that. Achieving sizable settlements on behalf of injured clients, however, is only half of our approach. At all stages in our work together, we build up your weaknesses to make them strengths. We ensure that you are strong in all areas of your life so that you can emerge from your legal case standing on both feet.

If you have been injured by a drunk driver, contact our experienced Philadelphia Dram Shop attorneys today for guidance

A drunk driver is not the only party potentially liable for injuries that you sustained in a collision. Our skilled Pennsylvania Dram Shop attorneys help you recover from all liable parties. Call van der Veen, Hartshorn and Levin for a free initial consultation to discuss your case and legal options. Meet directly with attorney van der Veen or another Philadelphia Dram Shop attorney on the team.

Reach us at (215) 486-0123 any hour of the day, or contact us online. If you can’t come to our downtown Philadelphia office, we will come to you.