Usually, people who choose to drink too much and then commit crimes, including operating while intoxicated, are responsible for their own behavior.
If they injure someone else, they have to pay compensation to the victim or the victim’s family.
Unfortunately, in practice, many times these people have no means to pay anywhere close to the amount needed to cover the losses of their victims. Sometimes, they have no insurance and no job or other means to pay.
In these cases, victims and their families may have to look for other responsible parties who have been negligent and thereby contributed to the victim’s injuries.
Georgia has a Dram Shop Law which holds those who serve alcohol accountable
Like many other states, Georgia has a law which holds those who serve alcohol, including businesses as well as private homeowners, accountable for drunken behavior in certain circumstances.
For example, if an establishment serves alcohol to someone who appears to be intoxicated, the establishment can be held accountable for the intoxicated person’s behavior.
Likewise, people who knowingly serve to people under 21 can be held accountable for the drunken behavior of the underage drinker. By way of example, this rule may apply if homeowners allow their minor children to throw a house party with alcohol.
Georgia’s Dram Shop Law may not be easy to apply to every situation. Atlanta residents who have questions about it should speak to an experienced attorney.
In other cases, businesses may be liable for drunken behavior
Aside from Dram Shop Laws, businesses that serve alcohol on a regular basis may be held accountable for their patrons’ drunken behavior.
For example, if a bar has a history of rowdy and violent behavior, yet does not hire appropriate security, the bar may be financially liable if someone gets hurt in a fight.