“I think you’ve had enough. I’m cutting you off.”
This could soon be heard in bars across Maryland should a local Appeals Court rule in favor of holding business establishments responsible for serving too much alcohol to customers.
Those in favor of such a law, which is typically referred to as “dram shop liability law,” hope that it could reduce the number of drunken-driving accidents in Maryland.
How? Such a law would rely heavily on the ability of vigilant bar employees to spot and refuse service to visibly drunken patrons. This would, in theory, keep those customers from getting so drunk that they cause a serious Maryland car accident if they drive away from the establishment.
Would it work? You tell us. See if you can spot these common signs of a visibly drunken person:
- Bloodshot or glassy-looking eyes
- Slurred speech
- Speaking abnormally loud
- Saying things that don’t make sense
- Slow response to questions
- Overly friendly to strangers
- Unusually argumentative or obnoxious
- Restless or agitated
- Spilling drinks or otherwise clumsy
- Inability to walk or sit up straight
- Crying for no apparent reason
- Disoriented
- Smells of alcohol
It’s important to keep in mind that not everyone who is drunken exhibits these signs and others who do show a few of these signs may be sober.
If you’ve been hurt in a Maryland drunken-driving accident, you cannot legally go after the bar that sold the alcohol—not yet. Should that law change, an experienced Maryland car accident lawyer will have the latest details. For more information or a free consultation with Nickelsporn & Lundin, call 800-875-9700.