When you throw a party, one of the concerns you may have is how to handle a drunk guest. As the host, you have the responsibility of making sure your guests get home in a safe manner. But sometimes, when a guest has too much to drink, especially if that guest is a minor, it can be difficult to convince them to just sleep it off or to catch a ride home some other way. What happens next is intoxicated guest gets into an accident that severely injures someone.
If this has happened to someone you love, you’re angry and are looking for a reason why this accident occurred. Who will pay all these medical bills? Why was that driver on the road in the first place? If this sounds familiar, then you are going to need legal advice.
Jersey City social host liability lawyer Anthony Carbone has been helping drunk driving accident victims throughout New Jersey for the past 35 years. He knows how hard it can be to move on from this type of accident and to get the money needed to pay the bills. That’s why he will fight aggressively to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
What is Social Host Liability?
According to the laws in New Jersey, any social host can be held liable for an alcohol-related accident caused by an underage driver because that host provided the alcohol to the accident victim prior to the accident. In addition, the state statute says social hosts are also liable for third-party injuries that were caused by the accident, as long as the guest meets the following conditions:
- That guest was visibly intoxicated at the time of the accident. For instance, that person was swaying, slurring his/her words, had bloodshot eyes, etc.
- The injuries were a direct result of the operation of a vehicle by the intoxicated guest
- The social host had failed to prevent the guest from driving the vehicle
It’s also important to note social host liability laws in New Jersey state that hosts are not responsible for any injury the guest may receive, only the third party involved in the accident. For example, if an intoxicated guest drives home and gets into an accident, injuring the passenger of the other vehicle. The passenger can sue you for damages; however, the intoxicated driver cannot.
Underage Drunk Driving Accidents are on the Rise
According to the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fatal car accidents involving drunk drivers had increased by 3.2 percent in 2015, from 9,943 in 2014 to 10,265. Drunk driving fatalities accounted for 29 percent of overall fatal accidents in 2015, making it the number one cause of fatal crashes in the U.S. today.
In addition, underage drinking is a serious issue in the United States. According to the National Institute onAlcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcohol plays a major factor in the deaths of 4,358 people under the age of 21 each year. In fact, more than 1,500 deaths are caused by alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes each year.
Contact Our Jersey City Social Host Liability Lawyer Now
After any type of accident, it’s important to know your rights and to hold those responsible for the accident liable. If you or a loved one was in a drunk driving accident with an intoxicated minor, get the legal help that you need today. Contact Jersey City social host liability lawyer Anthony Carbone now for a free consultation. Now serving anyone in New Jersey.
