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Denver Dram Shop Liability Lawyer

Denver Dram Shop Liability Lawyer
  • After a drunk driving accident, you may have legal recourse against the intoxicated driver and against the establishment that served them alcohol.
  • Dram shop liability applies in Colorado when an establishment willfully serves alcohol to a visibly intoxicated patron who then causes harm.
  • A dram shop claim involves a strict one-year deadline built into the statute itself, far shorter than the three-year window for most motor vehicle injury claims.

If you or a loved one recently sustained injuries in a vehicle accident caused by a drunk driver, you may not only have grounds for legal recourse against the intoxicated driver but other parties as well. A Denver dram shop liability accident lawyer is an ideal resource to consult if you believe that another party is responsible for serving alcohol to the driver who caused your accident.

CGH Injury Lawyers has represented injured Coloradans since 2016 from one Denver office at 2701 Lawrence Street. Kevin Cheney is Managing Partner, a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and Treasurer of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association.

Denver Dram Shop Liability Accident Attorneys

If you or a loved one recently sustained injuries in a vehicle accident caused by a drunk driver, you may not only have grounds for legal recourse against the intoxicated driver but other parties as well. A Denver dram shop liability accident lawyer is an ideal resource to consult if you believe that another party is responsible for serving alcohol to the driver who caused your accident.

Denver Dram Shop Liability Accident Lawyer

Representing Dram Shop Liability Claims in Denver, CO

The team at Cheney Galluzzi & Howard represents car accident victims in Denver and can help you make sense of your legal options after a drunk driving accident. While the drunk driver will obviously bear fault for the accident, it is also possible for an establishment that served them alcohol to also share fault for the incident. Dram shop liability applies when an establishment serves alcohol to an obviously intoxicated patron.

Navigating these cases can be challenging. However, with the right attorney handling your case, you can approach the situation with confidence. Dram shop liability can apply when a bar, restaurant, or other establishment serves alcohol to an obviously intoxicated patron and allows them to leave in their vehicle. All such establishments have a legal duty to stop serving patrons once they become obviously intoxicated, but some overlook this responsibility.

Recovering from this type of accident is likely to require an auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver, but you could also have grounds to file a personal injury claim if insurance will not fully cover your damages. The drunk driver may be a defendant in your case but if you have grounds for legal action against a dram shop, it will be crucial to gather evidence to also prove their liability.

Recovering From a Dram Shop Accident in Denver

Your dram shop liability accident lawyer in Denver can be a tremendous asset to your case in many ways. First, they can make it much easier for you to gather the evidence you will need to firmly establish fault for your accident. This could include traffic camera footage and testimony from witnesses who saw your accident happen, along with security camera footage and witness testimony from inside the establishment that served alcohol to the at-fault driver.

If the evidence shows that the establishment in question should have ceased service to the at-fault driver and failed to make any attempt to prevent them from leaving in their vehicle while intoxicated, you will likely have grounds for a claim against the dram shop. Insurance may not fully cover all your damages. In that case, you will need to prepare a personal injury claim if you want to recover as fully as Colorado law allows.

Many factors can influence the outcome of this type of case. The state will file criminal charges against the drunk driver, but the establishment responsible for serving them can also face criminal penalties. This could translate to you not only recovering compensation for your civil damages but also additional compensation in the form of punitive damages and restitution.

Because dram shop claims involve a one-year filing deadline built into the statute itself, far shorter than the three-year window that applies to most motor vehicle injury claims, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible. Evidence inside a bar or restaurant, including surveillance footage and witness accounts, can disappear quickly. See also CGH’s page on drunk driving accident claims and the restaurant and bar injuries practice page for related context.

Cheney Galluzzi & Howard: Your Denver Dram Shop Liability Accident Lawyers

Cheney Galluzzi & Howard is ready to assist you with all aspects of your impending dram shop liability case. We understand the legal challenges you might face in the aftermath of this type of accident, and we are confident in our ability to help you recover. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with a Denver dram shop liability accident lawyer and learn how we can assist with your recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is dram shop liability in Colorado?

Dram shop liability allows an injured person to seek compensation from a licensed establishment that willfully served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated patron who then caused harm. If a bar, restaurant, or other alcohol vendor overserved a patron and that patron caused your accident, the vendor may share legal responsibility for your injuries.

Can I sue both the drunk driver and the bar that served them?

Yes. The intoxicated driver is typically the primary defendant in a drunk driving accident case. If an establishment also served them alcohol when they were visibly intoxicated, you may have a separate dram shop claim against that vendor. An attorney can evaluate whether the evidence supports both claims.

How long do I have to file a dram shop claim in Colorado?

Dram shop claims carry a strict one-year deadline written into the statute itself: the lawsuit must be commenced within one year after the alcohol was sold or served. This is far shorter than the three-year deadline that applies to most motor vehicle injury claims. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after the accident.

What evidence matters in a dram shop case?

Key evidence includes security camera footage from inside the establishment, receipts showing how many drinks were served, witness accounts from staff and other patrons, and testimony about the driver’s visible intoxication before they left. Traffic camera footage and accident-scene evidence also help establish the connection between the overservice and the crash. This evidence can be lost quickly, which is why early legal action matters.

Can punitive damages be recovered in a dram shop case?

In some cases, additional compensation in the form of punitive damages may be available when the establishment’s conduct was willful and wanton. Punitive damages require a high standard of proof and are not guaranteed. An attorney can assess whether the facts of your case support a punitive damages claim.

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