Catastrophic Personal Injuries > Alcohol-Related Accidents

When alcohol is involved, what we may casually call an “accident” is an act of recklessness that puts lives in danger. There are criminal consequences for causing harm or damage under the influence of alcohol, but victims or their families can also bring civil lawsuits for damages when alcohol-related accidents cause them pain and suffering.

If you or a loved one experience catastrophic injury in an alcohol-related accident, you don’t have to navigate complicated legal questions and processes alone. For more than 40 years, Hoosiers have trusted Montross Miller for legal guidance and assistance when it matters most. Let our experts help you get answers, justice, and a path forward. Reach out to Montross Miller today for a free, confidential case evaluation.

Indiana Dram Shop Laws and Alcohol-Related Lawsuits

Bars, restaurants, liquor stores, or any establishment serving alcohol can be deemed liable for damage or harm caused by an overserved patron under Indiana dram shop laws. The policy also extends to individual homeowners or private party hosts, who can be held responsible for furnishing alcohol to anyone who causes damage or harm to others. 

These cases can be challenging because victims must prove the server knew the person was intoxicated and, therefore, a danger to themselves or others. This burden of proof is one reason why having the right lawyer in your corner is extremely important. An establishment or person providing alcohol must be shown to have known the individual was already intoxicated, and that their intoxication was a foreseeable cause of an accident, injury, or damage caused.

Alcohol’s Role in Catastrophic Personal Injuries

According to the Alcohol Rehab Guide, alcohol-related injuries are the third-leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States. A 2022 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study found that, between 2015 and 2019, alcohol accounted for nearly one in eight deaths among adults ages 20 to 64.

Types of Alcohol-Related Injuries

• Slips and Falls: Property owners and businesses owe a duty of care to keep premises reasonably safe for visitors. Slip-and-fall accidents often occur in bars or similar establishments because of spills and alcohol impairment. Proving liability in slip-and-fall cases can be complicated, and a thorough investigation into the circumstances will be necessary.
• Physical Altercations: When alcohol is involved, tension can rise and tempers can flare. Establishments have a right to police unruly patrons, but not by unreasonably excessive force. If an individual is injured by security personnel, a bouncer, or bar staff, they may be able to hold the establishment’s owner liable for the actions of its employees.
• Underage Alcohol Abuse: The law prohibits furnishing alcohol to minors because of a legal, statutory determination that individuals under 21 don’t have the physical or emotional maturity to handle the consequences of alcohol consumption. In addition to liability for any damages caused by an intoxicated minor or harm inflicted on others or themselves, parents, party hosts, or business establishments can also face criminal charges for supplying alcohol to an underage individual.

Car Accidents Caused by Drunk Drivers

Drunk driving accidents are one of the leading causes of traffic fatalities nationwide. In Indiana, more than 1,000 people are injured or killed annually in alcohol-related vehicle crashes.

While the at-fault driver in drunk driving accidents bears financial responsibility for the other party’s damages, you may still face resistance from their insurance company even if they’re cited for DUI.

How Montross Miller Can Help

The attorneys and legal experts at Montross Miller are highly experienced and familiar with alcohol-related accidents and injuries. If you have a case, we will establish liability or negligence and will be your advocates throughout the complex legal process. We will obtain evidence, review medical records, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, or take your case to trial and present it to a jury if a settlement can’t be reached.

We recognize how devastating these accidents and alcohol-related trauma can be to innocent victims. Montross Miller will listen to your story, answer any questions, and advise you through each step of the process. Contact Montross Miller today to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation.