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North Dakota Dram Shop Lawyers

Dram shop liability helps victims of drunk driving accidents during their personal injury case. Call The Advocates Law Firm for more information.

A Dram Shop Attorney Can Help Your Case 

North Dakota has a serious drinking and driving problem. The state has the ninth-highest rate of drunk drivers involved in fatal motor vehicle collisions. These are not just data points but real lives permanently altered because of an intoxicated person’s bad decision.  

That’s where dram shop laws come in. They hold everyone involved accountable for your pain and suffering. Establishments can and should be held responsible for over-serving their patrons.  

The Advocates will make that happen. Our personal injury attorneys are well-versed in dram shop laws. We can put liens on your medical expenses, negotiate with insurance companies, and win your personal injury claim.  

Call us today for a free consultation. 

The Next Steps in Your North Dakota Dram Shop Case

Injury

Immediately after your accident, check for injuries

Hire Attorney

Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery

Property Damage

Get the damage on your car assessed and fixed

Treatment

Seek medical treatment as soon as you can

Finish Treatment

Once you’ve completed treatment, your attorney will compile your medical records

Demand

Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party

Frequently Asked Questions

You will pay nothing out-of-pocket when you hire an Advocate. 

Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees. 

Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. We don’t get paid unless we win your case, and you receive a settlement. 

For more information on how settlements and payment work, please see our contingency fee information page. 

Not every accident requires an attorney. However, if the accident resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex. 

Your attorney will gather evidence, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Studies have shown that accident victims who hire a personal injury lawyer can receive settlements up to 3.5 times larger than if they settled on their own. 

The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime. Once you have decided to hire an Advocate, we will investigate your accident to firmly establish liability. 

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process will depend on the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and more. 

In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to a few years. It’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which you will lose your right of action. 

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you finish medical treatment. Once all evidence and medical records have been compiled, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. At this point, negotiations will begin. 

In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a suit. In the litigation phase, your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator. 

A Team of Dram Shop Professionals Assigned to Your Case  

For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive fair compensation and care they deserve after their accidents, and we are prepared to do the same for you.  

We can help you: 

  • Understand the claims process 
  • Investigate your accident 
  • Work together with you towards a full resolution of your injuries 
  • Negotiate with insurance adjusters 
  • Obtain a settlement or judgment against the at fault party 

Hable con un profesional

North Dakota’s Dram Shop Laws

Young bartender standing at bar counter with customer laughing joyfully

What is dram shop law? 

North Dakota Century Code Section 5-01-06.1 establishes liability for establishments that serve alcoholic beverages. 

In North Dakota, liquor liability applies to two groups: 

  • Licensed alcohol vendors: Restaurants, bars, liquor stores, etc. 
  • Social hosts: Individuals who provide alcohol services in private settings, but only if the person is under 21. 

Key provisions for responsibility 

  • Establishments cannot illegally or knowingly give alcoholic beverages to: 
    • An obviously intoxicated patron (does not apply to social hosts) 
    • A person below the legal drinking age 
  • If over-serving is one of the causes of action of a drunk person causing harm, the injured party can sue the establishment. 
  • The owner of the establishment can be held financially responsible for damages. 
Do not drink and drive - Keys taken from bar customer
Woman calling insurance support after car crash

Evidence needed 

The injured victim must prove the following: 

  • The vendor knowingly served a minor or intoxicated person 
  • That serve was the proximate cause of the injury 
  • The damages inflicted on the victim were a direct result of the intoxicated individual’s actions 

Personal Injury Laws

The damages you can sue for in a dram shop claim 

Every case is different. Allow The Advocates to take a look at your case. The damages we will sue for depend on what injuries and losses you sustained in the car accident. 

The following are commonly sought damages in a personal injury case:    

  • Medical bills 
  • Pain and suffering  
  • Lost income and loss of future earnings   
  • Non-economic damages such as emotional trauma   
  • Funeral expenses for a family member 

Common dram shop accident injuries    

Car accidents with drunk drivers often result in terrible injuries. 

Here are the most common injuries accident victims have:  

  • Bruising and lacerations   
  • Muscle strains   
  • Whiplash   
  • Broken teeth   
  • Dislocated joints   
  • Disfigurement  
  • Broken bones   
  • Internal damage   
  • Spinal cord injuries   
  • Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries   
  • Emotional distress 
  • Wrongful death of a loved one 

Statute of limitations for dram shop cases 

You have two years to file a dram shop claim for personal injury, wrongful death, and property damage stemming from the unlawful serving of alcohol. This also applies to all other personal injury claims. 

When Should I Hire a North Dakota Dram Shop Attorney?

This sparsely populated state faces major problems with drunk driving. Far too many North Dakotans know this all too well. 

The Advocates are here to defend the victims of this unfortunate problem. Have you been in a DUI accident?  

We will hold the intoxicated driver accountable, along with anyone else responsible for causing this accident. 

You deserve it. You deserve an Advocate.