New Jersey Court: Drunk Driver Can Sue Bar that Served Him

June 3, 2011

New Jersey’s Supreme Court has ruled a convicted drunken driver has the right to sue the bar that served him.

Wednesday’s 5-2 ruling stems from a 2006 motorcycle crash in which Frederick Voss had a blood-alcohol level of .196 percent, or nearly two and a half times the legal limit of .08 percent.

Voss later pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated.

He sued the Toms River restaurant Tiffany’s, claiming it negligently kept serving him.

The tavern said the suit isn’t allowed under a state law that says people convicted of DWI cannot sue.

The court ruled that law pertains to insurance claims, not to those who serve drinks.

Topics Lawsuits Personal Auto New Jersey

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Latest Comments

  • June 9, 2011 at 6:54 pm
    Mark Hutchings says:
    When will this litigation end? Lawyers make the laws, exempt themselves if elected from those same laws, (sexual harassment, etc. etc.) then enforce them by installing bleedin... read more
  • June 7, 2011 at 8:37 am
    youngin' says:
    You shouldn't go out drinking if you don't have a plan to get home safely. If you can't plan that far ahead, do all your drinking at home.
  • June 7, 2011 at 8:29 am
    Hank says:
    Guy, did you read my post? Let me reiterate it for you. "I'm not saying the bartender is completely at fault here, but they should bear some of the responsibility."

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