Houston Dram Shop
Accident Lawyer
What you need to do if you are involve in a vehicle accident?
Why Choose Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm for your Houston Dram Shop Accident?
When a dram shop accident turns your life upside down, choosing the right lawyer can make all the difference. At Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm, we focus on holding negligent alcohol providers accountable and protecting the rights of injured victims—not powerful businesses or insurance companies.
What sets us apart:
- Proven Dram Shop Experience
 We understand Texas dram shop laws and have experience handling complex claims involving bars, restaurants, and alcohol vendors. - Aggressive, Client-First Advocacy
 You receive personal attention, clear communication, and compassionate guidance at every stage of your case. - Thorough Case Investigation
 We gather surveillance footage, witness statements, alcohol service records, and expert testimony to build strong, evidence-based cases. - No Fees Unless We Win
 You pay nothing upfront. Our firm only gets paid if we successfully recover compensation for you.
What Is Dram Shop Liability in Texas?
A dram shop accident happens when an establishment that serves alcohol (like a bar, restaurant, or liquor store) is held legally responsible for injuries caused by a drunk driver whom they overserved. In Texas, bars and other licensed sellers can face civil liability if they continue serving customers who are obviously intoxicated, and that intoxication contributes to a crash that injures others. This is known as dram shop liability.
Texas Dram Shop Laws Explained
Victims can hold alcohol-serving establishments responsible under Texas laws regarding dram shop liability when negligent service leads to injury or death. Here’s a simple breakdown:
- When Bars Can Be Held Liable:
- Serving alcohol to minors
- Serving visibly intoxicated patrons who later cause harm
- Victim Rights:
- Injured parties can file civil claims directly against the establishment
- Claims seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage
- Important Legal Details:
- Comparative negligence:Â If the victim shares some fault, compensation may be reduced proportionally
- Statute of limitations: Most dram shop claims in Texas must be filed within two years of the incident
- Damage limits:Â Certain laws may cap specific types of damages, but serious injury and wrongful death claims can still recover substantial compensation
In civil cases, the standard of proof is “preponderance of the evidence,” meaning it’s more likely than not that the bar’s conduct contributed to the harm. This is a lower burden than criminal DUI cases, which require proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
Why Dram Shop Liability Matters
Dram shop liability laws exist because overserving alcohol fuels impaired driving — a significant public safety problem. Around 32% of U.S. traffic fatalities involve alcohol-impaired driving.
When Can You Sue a Bar or Restaurant?
You may be able to file a dram shop claim when an alcohol-serving establishment acts negligently and that negligence leads to serious harm. Common situations that may give rise to liability include:
- Serving a visibly intoxicated patron, such as someone showing clear signs like slurred speech, stumbling, loss of coordination, or aggressive behavior
- Failing to cut off alcohol service, even when intoxication is obvious
- The intoxicated patron later caused a crash that resulted in serious injury or death
- Serving alcohol to a minor, which can create liability if the underage individual later causes harm
Evidence Commonly Used in Dram Shop Claims
Successfully proving a dram shop claim requires showing that an alcohol provider served a visibly intoxicated person or a minor who later caused harm. This often involves gathering detailed, time-sensitive evidence that connects the negligent service to the resulting accident.
Common forms of evidence include:
- Surveillance footage showing the patron’s behavior, level of intoxication, and how long alcohol was served
- Receipts, tabs, or sales logs documenting the quantity of alcohol served and the timing of each drink
- Witness statements from bartenders, servers, or customers who observed visible signs of intoxication
- Police reports and BAC test results linking intoxication directly to the crash or injury-causing event
- Expert testimony explaining alcohol impairment, safe service standards, and how overserving contributed to the incident
Common Scenarios That Lead to Dram Shop Cases
Dram shop claims typically arise when an alcohol-serving establishment fails to act responsibly, and that negligence leads to serious harm. These situations often involve clear warning signs that were ignored by the bar, restaurant, or club.
Common scenarios include:
- Drunk driving crashes where the at-fault driver was visibly intoxicated after being overserved at a bar, nightclub, or restaurant
- Underage drinking incidents in which a business unlawfully served alcohol to a minor who later caused an accident or injury
- Alcohol-related assaults or violence connected to negligent overservice, including fights, stabbings, or shootings
How Often Bars and Restaurants Are Found Liable
Many people are surprised to learn that bars and restaurants can—and do—face legal responsibility after alcohol-related injuries and crashes.
- Over 40% of DUI drivers had their last drinks at a bar or restaurant, not a private residence.
- Failure to follow safe-service practices greatly increases the risk of drunk driving crashes and alcohol-related assaults.
- Serving a visibly intoxicated patron or a minor can trigger liability under Texas dram shop law
Preventing Future Alcohol-Related Incidents
Dram shop accidents aren’t just legal issues—they’re public safety concerns. Preventing them requires a mix of responsible service, education, and accountability:
- Encourage Responsible Alcohol Service:Â Establishments should monitor patrons for signs of intoxication, cut off service when needed, and follow safe-serving protocols.
- Community Safety Programs:Â Local initiatives, such as server training, DUI awareness campaigns, and youth alcohol education, can reduce alcohol-related accidents.
- Legal Accountability Promotes Safety:Â Holding negligent bars and restaurants responsible under Texas dram shop law incentivizes safer practices, protecting patrons, drivers, and the broader community.
How a Houston Dram Shop Lawyer Can Help
Dram shop claims are especially complex because they often involve multiple liable parties, including the intoxicated driver and the alcohol-serving establishment. These cases also rely heavily on detailed, time-sensitive evidence. An experienced Houston dram shop lawyer can play a critical role by:
- Investigating how and when alcohol was served, including whether the patron showed visible signs of intoxication
- Collecting key evidence, such as receipts, surveillance footage, and witness statements, before it is lost or destroyed
- Connecting the bar or restaurant’s conduct directly to the crash, injury, or wrongful death
- Negotiating with multiple insurance companies, including commercial liability insurers
- Pursuing full compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and other damages
Why Early Legal Action Matters in Dram Shop Cases
Timing is critical in dram shop claims because key evidence can disappear quickly if action isn’t taken right away:
- Surveillance footage is often overwritten within 7–30 days
- Receipts and point-of-sale (POS) records may be discarded or altered
- Witness memories fade, making testimony less reliable over time
Legal industry data shows that dram shop claims with early evidence preservation are far more likely to result in full compensation than cases delayed after the incident (ABA, 2024).
For this reason, contacting a Houston dram shop liability lawyer as soon as possible can significantly strengthen your case and improve the chances of a successful outcome
Frequently Overlooked Evidence in Dram Shop Cases
Many dram shop claims focus on surveillance and receipts, but other types of evidence can be crucial:
- Employee Training Records:Â Show whether staff were properly trained on responsible alcohol service.
- Social Media Posts:Â Photos or videos can reveal visible intoxication or unsafe behavior.
- Delivery or Catering Logs:Â Track alcohol served off-premises that may have contributed to the incident.
- Security Reports or Audio:Â Document disturbances or staff awareness of intoxication.
Speak With a Houston Dram Shop Liability Lawyer Today!
If a bar or alcohol provider’s negligence led to your injuries, you don’t have to face this alone. Dram shop cases move quickly, and critical evidence can be lost if action isn’t taken right away.
Contact Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm today for a FREE consultation.
At Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm, we act fast to protect your rights, investigate responsible parties, and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm
 6420 Richmond Ave., Ste. #135
Houston, TX 77057
đź“ž (713) 974-0388
Attorney Roxell Richards
This Houston Vehicle Accident service page is provided by The Roxell Richards Law Firm, a Texas-based personal injury law firm dedicated to representing individuals injured in vehicular accidents. With a focus on Texas personal injury law, the firm helps victims of vehicle accidents understand their legal rights, navigate complex insurance claims, and pursue fair compensation for their injuries.
Roxell Richards, attorney and founder of The Roxell Richards Law Firm, brings more than 20 years of experience representing clients in motorcycle accident and personal injury cases across Texas. His practice includes handling claims involving serious injuries, contested liability, and insurance coverage disputes. The firm’s legal approach emphasizes clear communication, individualized case evaluation, and client-focused representation at every stage of the legal process.
The legal information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to a vehicle accident, individuals are encouraged to consult with a qualified Texas personal injury attorney.
I’m incredibly grateful for their hard work and dedication to my case. If you’re looking for a law firm that genuinely cares about your well-being and delivers results, I highly recommend Roxell Richards Law Firm.
Thank you,
Dr. Leana Jefferson
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