Carrollton Dram Shop Injury Lawyer
When a bar, restaurant, or nightclub overserves alcohol and lets someone drive away drunk, the consequences can be catastrophic. If you or a loved one were injured because a business served alcohol irresponsibly, you may have legal rights under Texas dram shop laws. At Carrollton Injury Law, we help victims of drunk driving crashes seek accountability—not only from the driver but also from the establishment that enabled the behavior.
We understand the devastation caused by intoxicated drivers and the complexity of proving liability in dram shop cases. Our team is here to investigate every angle and fight to pursue the full compensation you deserve.
We put Personal back into Personal Injury Law—because your story matters.
WERE YOU OR A LOVED ONE SERIOUSLY INJURED?
What Our Clients Say
What Is a Dram Shop Case?
A "dram shop" is a legal term that refers to a bar, club, restaurant, or any alcohol-serving establishment. Under the Texas Dram Shop Act (Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Chapter 2), businesses that serve alcohol can be held civilly liable if:
They provided alcohol to someone who was obviously intoxicated to the point that they posed a danger to themselves or others, and
That intoxication was a proximate cause of the injuries or damages that followed.
This means if a visibly drunk patron is served more drinks, then causes a car crash, the establishment can be legally responsible. Dram shop laws exist to discourage reckless alcohol service and to protect the public from the consequences of overservice.
Why Dram Shop Cases Are Different from Drunk Driving Claims
In a typical drunk driving accident, the focus is on the driver’s intoxication and negligence. In a dram shop case, the focus expands to include how and why the driver got drunk—and who made that possible.
This adds a powerful layer of accountability, especially in cases where businesses ignored red flags, served underage customers, or promoted excessive drinking through irresponsible business practices.
At Carrollton Injury Law, we use dram shop laws to expose negligent service and go after every responsible party—not just the drunk driver.
Common Scenarios in Dram Shop Injury Cases
Dram shop liability may apply in many tragic circumstances, including:
Bar Overservice Car Accidents: A bar keeps serving a patron who is clearly intoxicated, and that person drives and causes a crash.
Underage Drinking Incidents: A convenience store, liquor store, or bar serves alcohol to a minor, and that minor injures themselves or others.
Fights or Assaults: Overintoxicated patrons become violent, leading to injuries inside or outside the establishment.
Pedestrian or Bystander Injuries: Intoxicated drivers strike innocent pedestrians or other motorists due to overservice.
Every case is different. We can review your situation to determine if a bar, club, or restaurant played a role in enabling dangerous behavior.
Why Choose Carrollton Injury Law for Your Dram Shop Injury Case?
Local Experience: We know Carrollton, Dallas County, and the surrounding areas, and we understand the local courts.
Deep Investigations: We go beyond surface-level claims to uncover overservice and bar negligence.
No Upfront Fees: You don’t pay us unless we win your case.
Personalized Attention: We put personal back into personal injury law—because you deserve more than a case number.
You’ve been through enough. Let us handle the legal fight while you focus on healing.
How We Investigate Dram Shop Claims
Dram shop cases are often complex and require thorough investigation. At Carrollton Injury Law, we take swift action to preserve evidence and build a compelling case. Our process may include:
1. Gathering Surveillance Footage
Many bars and restaurants have cameras. If we act fast, we may recover footage showing the patron’s behavior before they left.
2. Interviewing Witnesses
Waitstaff, bartenders, customers, and friends may all have seen signs of obvious intoxication.
3. Reviewing Receipts and Tabs
Bar tabs can show how much alcohol was served and in what timeframe—key evidence in proving overservice.
4. Securing Police Reports and Toxicology
We use official reports and blood alcohol content (BAC) levels to establish that the driver was intoxicated and unsafe to drive.
5. Hiring Expert Witnesses
Toxicologists and alcohol service experts can testify about how much alcohol it takes to reach certain levels of impairment.
Our team prepares every case for trial to maximize your leverage—because insurance companies know we’re serious about seeking justice.
What Compensation Can You Pursue in a Dram Shop Case?
If you’ve been injured in a drunk driving crash enabled by an alcohol vendor, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for:
Medical expenses (past and future)
Lost income or reduced earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional trauma
Loss of enjoyment of life
Permanent disfigurement or disability
Property damage
Wrongful death (for families who lost a loved one)
You only get one chance to pursue justice. Our goal is to help you seek the full and fair compensation you’re entitled to under Texas law.
Who Can File a Dram Shop Lawsuit?
You may have a dram shop claim if:
You were injured by an intoxicated person who had been overserved at a bar, restaurant, or store.
You are the family member of someone who was killed due to an intoxicated person’s actions.
You were a passenger in a vehicle driven by an intoxicated person (in some cases, even you may have rights depending on the situation).
It’s essential to speak with an experienced Carrollton dram shop injury lawyer as soon as possible to preserve your legal options.
Time Limits: Don’t Miss the Deadline
In Texas, personal injury claims—including dram shop lawsuits—are subject to a two-year statute of limitations. That means you must file your claim within two years of the date of injury or death.
If you wait too long, crucial evidence could be lost, witnesses’ memories may fade, and your right to pursue compensation may expire.
Don’t wait. If you suspect that overservice played a role in your injury or loss, reach out today for a free evaluation.
Dram Shop Law and Comparative Fault in Texas
Texas uses a modified comparative fault system. This means even if the intoxicated driver shares most of the blame, the bar may still be held partially liable.
However, proving liability under dram shop laws requires specific evidence of “obvious intoxication”—and that’s where having a skilled attorney is crucial.
At Carrollton Injury Law, we understand how to build strong arguments that meet this legal threshold and give your case the best chance of success.
FAQ: Carrollton Dram Shop Injury Lawyer
What is considered "obvious intoxication" under Texas law?
"Obvious intoxication" refers to signs like slurred speech, stumbling, bloodshot eyes, aggressive behavior, or impaired coordination that would make a reasonable person stop serving alcohol.
Can I sue both the drunk driver and the bar?
Yes. Texas law allows you to pursue claims against both the intoxicated individual and the establishment that overserved them if both contributed to the injury.
What if the intoxicated person was underage?
Serving alcohol to a minor is illegal in Texas. If a bar or store provides alcohol to someone under 18 or 21 (depending on context), they may be liable for resulting injuries—even without proving "obvious intoxication."
How long does a dram shop case take?
Every case is different. Some settle in a few months, while others take a year or more depending on complexity, evidence, and willingness to go to trial.
What if I was a passenger in the drunk driver’s car?
If you weren’t aware the driver was intoxicated, or if the bar still bears fault, you may still have a case. Call us to discuss the facts.
Is there a cap on damages in Texas dram shop claims?
There’s no specific cap on damages for dram shop cases in Texas. However, total compensation depends on the severity of injury, liability, and evidence presented.
Contact Carrollton Injury Law Today for a Free Dram Shop Injury Claim Evaluation
If you or a loved one has been injured in a dram shop accident, you don’t have to go through this alone.
The Carrollton Injury Law team is here to fight for your rights and help you obtain the maximum compensation possible.
We proudly serve Carrollton, Texas, and surrounding areas.
Let us help you rebuild your life after a serious car accident.
You focus on healing—we’ll handle the rest.
Free Injury Claim Evaluation
No Fee Unless We Win