Motorcycle Passenger Killed by Drunk Driver

Drunk Driver Wrongful Death A tragic case in New Hampshire highlights the need to do more to keep drunk drivers off of the road. A 49-year-old woman was riding on a motorcycle behind her husband in a charity motorcycle ride in memory of a police officer who died of cancer.

They were on Route 111 in Hampstead, NH, with 6 miles to go when they and another cyclist were hit by a drunk driver, Randall Stewart, a repeat offender who had been arrested for drunk driving the night before. The woman was killed, pronounced dead at the scene. Her husband and the other cyclist were injured.

Are Bars When a Motorcycle Driver or Passenger is
Killed by a Drunk Driver?

In certain cases, bars, restaurants and other businesses that sell liquor can be held liable when someone they sold liquor to kills someone in an accident. This means that the drinking establishment would have to pay the family money to compensate them for their loss.

What is a Dram Shop?
In 18th Century England, thousands of so-called “gin-shops” sold homemade gin by the dram (about a spoonful). When the King of England decided to tax the sale of gin, these “dram shops” quickly went underground in an effort to avoid paying taxes. Today’s legal system considers any establishment selling liquor illegally as a modern day equivalent of these “dram shops” of the 1700’s.

Furthermore, the law holds these establishments responsible for the dangerous actions of an intoxicated person when they have illegally sold liquor to that person. In addition to bars and liquor stores, these establishments can include restaurants, social clubs, and even private events where liquor is sold.

When are Dram Shops Liable?
Generally, dram shops are liable when they have violated a law or regulation in the state where the liquor was served. While selling liquor to an obviously intoxicated customer represents the most common dram shop violation, the illegal sale of intoxicating beverages can take other forms, such as:

Selling liquor without a license to do so;
Selling liquor after hours; or
Selling liquor to a minor.

Our lawyers can help you determine if a dram shop violation played a role in your car accident. Dram shop laws vary state by state. While a few states impose no dram shop liability or restrict that liability to cases involving sales to minors or known alcoholics, most states do recognize some form of dram shop liability.

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer and Lawsuit: Free Consultation

If your loved one was killed in a motorcycle accident by a drunk driver, contact a motorcycle accident lawyer at Pritzker Olsen law firm at 1-888-377-8900 (TOLL FREE) or submit our online form for a free consultation. We are not paid unless you win.

Pritzker Olsen law firm is a national personal injury law firm and represents clients throughout the United States. Our offices are located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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Wins Millions for Client

Attorney Fred Pritzker won $6,000,000 for a client whose right leg was amputated when the motorcycle on which she was a passenger was struck by a drunk driver. If you have been in an accident with a DUI driver, you may have a cliam against a bar or other place that sells alcohol.

Truck Wheel Accident Death

Our law firm recently won $2,850,000 for a family whose loved one was killed by a truck wheel that crashed through a car windshield. Read about a truck wheel off accident.

Tow Truck Accident

Attorneys Fred Pritzker and Elliot Olsen obtained a $2,750,000 recovery for a 59 year-old truck driver who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), the loss of his left eye and significant disfigurement when the tow chain being used to pull the man’s semi tractor-trailer out of a ditch broke loose from a front-end loader to which it was attached.

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Pritzker Olsen attorneys Fred Pritzker and Eric Hageman recently obtained a hard-fought $2,560,000 recovery for a couple who were seriously injured in a semi-truck crash. The husband suffered serious head injury (TBI). Read about the semi truck crash settlement.

Our lawyers have recovered millions more for our clients. Contact us for a free consultation about your accident.

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