Q: My son was injured in a car accident
- he was in the car with an underage drunk driver - can we sue the bar that served them to pay for some of his medical costs?
A:
New Jersey has a Dram Shop law in place as follows:
New Jersey's Dram Shop Law
Section 2A:22A-4 of the New Jersey Revised Statutes says that any person who has been injured by an intoxicated individual may seek damages from a vendor who served the alcohol if:
the intoxicated individual was "visibly intoxicated" when served, or
the vendor knew or reasonably should have known the person being served was a minor under age 21.
Dram Shop cases are extremely challenging but can be pursued with the right facts, proof and Insurance coverage.
A: It's cheaper and quicker to sue the drunk driver and his insurance carrier for the medical costs otherwise they will probably go into collection long before, and if the bar ever is judged responsible.
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