In Texas, a bar or restaurant can be liable if it served alcohol to someone visibly intoxicated or to a minor, and that person caused an accident. This law is called "Dram Shop."
Under Texas's "Dram Shop" law, an establishment that sells alcohol can be liable if it served a visibly intoxicated person or a minor, and that person then caused an accident that harmed you. As personal injury lawyers, we pursue that additional claim path beyond the direct responsible party.
Texas's Dram Shop law recognizes that bars, restaurants, and stores that sell alcohol have a responsibility: not to serve someone already visibly intoxicated or minors. When they break that rule and the person causes an accident, the establishment can be held liable.
It is a Texas-specific law, and a path to compensation many victims do not know exists, especially in cases where the drunk driver does not have enough insurance.
Not every case applies. The law requires specific conditions:
These cases require evidence: the establishment's receipts and sales records, security cameras, testimony from other patrons or staff, and sometimes the person's alcohol level. It is investigative work that must be done quickly, before the evidence disappears.
Bars and their insurers defend these cases hard, so preparing the evidence well is essential.
The person harmed by the intoxicated individual can claim: for example, someone hit by a drunk driver who left that bar. In some cases, even the intoxicated person or their family may have a claim, depending on the circumstances.
Every case is different. What matters is evaluating whether the establishment bore part of the responsibility.
We investigate the establishment, obtain its sales records and camera footage before they disappear, and build the case under Texas's Dram Shop law. We look for all sources of compensation, not just the direct responsible party. We handle your case in Spanish.
We charge nothing unless we win. The consultation is free and with no obligation.
A lawyer on our team reviews your case, in Spanish, and tells you honestly what options you have. Free and with no obligation.