Tennessee Dram Shop Laws – Underage Driver
Drunk driving by underage drivers is a major problem in Tennessee and across the United States. If an intoxicated underage driver has injured you or a member of your family, you likely face difficult questions about medical bills and lost wages. You may also be suffering from emotional trauma related to the crash and resulting injuries.
Who is responsible for the injuries you’ve suffered? The Tennessee drunk driving accident attorneys at Terry, Terry & Stapleton have the answers. To protect your legal rights, including the right to seek financial compensation, call us today at 877-489-5411 or use our online contact form to arrange a free consultation. Our firm helps accident victims across East Tennessee, including Hamblen, Hawkins, Greene, Sevier, Knox, Washington, Sullivan and Cocke counties.
The danger of underage drunk driving is far too high. According to studies reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 11 percent of all high school students — or one of every nine — have driven after drinking. That driving is taking place among a group of drivers that is not legally allowed to drink. Underage drivers have been shown to be at high risk of crash involvement when drinking and driving. From 2004 to 2008, a total of 947 lives were lost in Tennessee crashes involving a teen driver, including some accidents that involved impaired driving.
The question of responsibility can be difficult in crashes involving underage drinking, but Tennessee law puts a clear burden on individuals and stores that sell alcohol to underage drivers. Under The Tennessee Dram Shop Act, a person who knowingly sells alcohol to a person less than 21 years of age can be held responsible for injuries or damage caused by the underage drinker as a result of their intoxication.
In some situations, seeking damages in a dram shop claim is the best avenue possible for pursuing compensation following a drunk driving wreck. The cases include situations where the drunk driver was uninsured or underinsured.
Building a successful dram shop claim requires an experienced legal team capable of conducting the interviews and investigation required by this type of case. The dram shop attorneys at Terry, Terry & Stapleton have decades of experience and have earned a reputation in Tennessee for compassionate, effective representation of injured clients.
We have almost 50 years of experience representing the injured and will for the justice and compensation you deserve. Our firm helps accident victims across East Tennessee, including Hamblen, Hawkins, Greene, Sevier, Knox, Washington, Sullivan and Cocke counties and the communities of Greeneville, Morristown, Sevierville, Dandridge, Rogersville, Newport, Knoxville, Kingsport, Johnson City and Jefferson City. If a drunk driver has injured you or a loved one, don’t delay. Call Terry, Terry & Stapleton today at 877-489-5411 or use our online contact form to arrange a free consultation.
