$1.025 Million Injury Settlement - Drunk Driving and Dram Shop Accident
Raleigh Drunk Driving Accident Settlement Result
In 2022, we represented a client who suffered catastrophic injuries in a motor vehicle accident caused by a drunk driver, who was grossly intoxicated after being over-served alcohol by a wedding venue. Our team of Raleigh dram shop lawyers settled the case against the drunk driver and wedding venue for the maximum limit of insurance coverage available, which amounted to $1,025,000.
In August 2019, our client was a passenger in a motor vehicle being driven by a friend on Highway 70 in Johnson County on their way to a girls night out. Tragically, at the same time, a drunk driver was driving the wrong way on Highway 70 and collided head-on our client’s vehicle, seriously injuring her and her two friends. The drunk driver was coming from a wedding reception where she was served the equivalent of two bottles of champagne by the wedding venue. Law enforcement determined the drunk driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) was more than 2x the legal limit.
Our client suffered catastrophic internal injuries, requiring multiple surgeries. The surgeries required a lengthy rehabilitation and left her with significant abdominal scarring. Worse, our client lost a portion of her intestines, which will permanently affect her ability to work and enjoyment of life. As the mother of a small child, these injuries were devastating.
As part of the litigation, the drunk driver admitted fault but originally did not admit that she was served alcohol at a licensed establishment. Our dram shop attorneys in Raleigh, NC conducted a thorough investigation that revealed the drunk driver had attended a wedding reception at a licensed venue prior to the collision. After a lawsuit was filed against the venue, our injury lawyers discovered that the venue failed to comply with standards for the safe service of alcohol and failed to property train its staff members on rules regarding alcohol service. The defense lawyers and insurance carriers argued that there was no proof that the drunk driver “appeared” intoxicated when she was being served by the wedding venue employees. The wedding venue denied all wrongdoing. However, our dram shop lawyers engaged toxicology and hospitality experts to scientifically prove that 1) the drunk driver was served several drinks by the wedding venue after she was intoxicated (which violated North Carolina law) and 2) that employees sufficiently trained in the safe service of alcohol would have been able to see and recognize the drunk driver’s outward signs of intoxication. As a result, the wedding venue agreed to settle the case instead of going to trial.
This is just an example of one of the recent results by our team of drunk driving lawyers in Raleigh, NC. With decades of collective experience, our injury attorneys have helped clients across North Carolina and South Carolina recover millions in damages against insurance companies, large corporations, employers, and the powerful.
Learn more about drunk driving and dram shop accidents in North Carolina.