Social host liability and dram shop laws are essential developments in North Carolina law designed to combat drunk driving. While social host liability and dram shop laws differ in significant ways, they are similar in that they hold alcohol providers, such as restaurants or party hosts, liable if one of their guests or patrons causes a drunk driving accident after leaving their premises. Below is a look at social host liability and dram shop laws in North Carolina. If you were involved in a drunk driving accident involving social host liability or dram shop laws, contact Maginnis Howard for experienced representation.
Social Host Liability
Social host liability laws cover a broader scope of accidents than traditional dram shop laws. Dram shop laws typically only apply to businesses. Social host liability laws apply to anyone who provides guests with alcohol. For example, employers throwing office parties or parents of a teenager who allow their child to drink illegally and cause a crash. This broad coverage means the liability for social hosts extends to various scenarios.
Courts in North Carolina have established three basic conditions for establishing social host liability in drunk driving accidents:
- The social host provided alcohol to the guest who caused the accident.
- The host knew or should have been aware that the guest was intoxicated.
- The host was aware that the guest would be driving afterwards.
Unlike dram shop laws, social host liability laws apply to all drivers regardless of age, not just minors. Thus, understanding host liability is crucial for anyone providing alcohol at social gatherings.
Dram Shop Laws in North Carolina
Dram shop laws apply to businesses that serve or sell alcohol, such as restaurants, bars, and ABC stores. In North Carolina, these laws also only apply to vendors who serve alcohol to minors. According to § 18B-121 of the North Carolina General Statutes, a vendor can be held liable if three conditions are met:
- The vendor sold or provided alcohol to an underage person.
- The underage person then caused an accident due to being under the influence of alcohol served by the vendor.
- The injuries sustained by the victim were “proximately caused” by the underage driver’s impairment.
Unlike in many other states, dram shop laws in North Carolina are primarily limited to vendors who negligently sell alcohol to minors. While it is illegal to serve alcohol to those who are visibly intoxicated regardless of their age, a dram shop lawsuit can typically only be brought forward if the driver was a minor. Therefore, businesses must be vigilant as liabilities can extend beyond traditional boundaries.
North Carolina Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
For those who have been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, it is crucial to reach out for help from a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. As the above article shows, accident victims may be entitled to additional compensation depending on their case circumstances. An experienced attorney can help clients understand the compensation available and how to begin the claims process. Understanding your rights under social host liability and dram shop laws is vital for pursuing compensation.
Our experienced personal injury attorneys serve those injured across the Carolinas from our Raleigh, Charlotte, and Fayetteville offices. Contact us today for a free consultation regarding your motor vehicle accident injury case.
