Can private hosts be held responsible for a drunk driving accident? | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

In addition to dram shop laws, North Carolina also has social host liability laws. A victim of a drunk driving accident can pursue damages against a host who served the drunk driver the alcohol. The elements needed to be legally proved include:

  • The host is the person who served or otherwise proved the drunk driver the alcohol.
  • The host knew, or should have known, that the drunk driver was intoxicated.
  • The host knew the drunk driver they were serving alcohol to would be driving a vehicle when they left.