CAN YOU BE RESPONSIBLE IF SOMEONE BECOMES INTOXICATED AT YOUR HOLIDAY PARTY AND CAUSES AN ACCIDENT?
The holiday season is just around the corner and there likely will be plenty of holiday cheer going around. What happens in Maryland when a person becomes inebriated at an office or private party, gets behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, and causes an accident? Can the person who served the alcohol be held responsible for injuries suffered in the accident (including those of the party guest)?
In Maryland, unlike most other states, there are no dram shop or social-host liability laws. The courts
have consistently refused to find that a social host has liability when a party guest over-imbibes and causes an accident. It’s important to understand that the person who became intoxicated may still have liability—the court simply won’t extend that liability to a third party who made alcohol available. If the party to whom the alcohol was provided was a minor, there may be criminal charges filed, but there’s still no social-host liability for personal injuries.
Experienced Montgomery County, Maryland Personal Injury Attorney
Super Lawyer Jonathan Scott Smith has protected the rights of personal injury victims across Maryland for more than 30 years. A proven and effective trial attorney, Smith knows that a personal injury can change your life, and will aggressively fight to get full and fair compensation for all your losses. He’s a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an honor held by less than 1% of all American lawyers who have obtained million-dollar judgments, awards or settlements. He has the experience, skill, knowledge and resources to zealously protect your rights after a personal injury.
The National Trial Lawyers Association, a “by invitation only” professional organization, has designated Smith as one of the top 100 attorneys in the State of Maryland. He has been honored among the top 100 lawyers in Maryland by Super Lawyers and was named a Top-Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer in 2012. The American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys lists attorney Smith as one of the “10 Best Attorneys in the State of Maryland in Client Satisfaction.”
Every year since 1988, Smith has been AV-rated (the highest rating possible) by other lawyers under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System. He also has earned Martindale-Hubbell’s Client Distinction Award, given to less than 4% of all attorneys in that directory. He holds a 10.0 (Superb) rating as a litigation attorney from AVVO and has received the Client’s Choice Award from AVVO, with an average client review of five stars.
Top-Rated Carroll County, Maryland Accidental Injury Lawyer
We offer comprehensive legal counsel to anyone who suffers a needless injury because of the carelessness or negligence of others. Send us an e-mail or call us at (410) 441-5054 to schedule an appointment. We represent slip-and-fall injury victims in Howard County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Prince George’s County and Montgomery County in Maryland.