Accidents involving alcohol are often some of the worst accidents. A car accident victim, who was injured in a drunk driving accident in 2009, recently received a multi-thousand dollar award for the damages she suffered in the crash. In some instances, the drunk driver is not the only one who may be on the hook for the damages, but the establishment that sold the driver the liquor could also be held liable.

The 61-year-old woman recently received her settlement from the 2009 alcohol-related collision that left her injured. The woman was driving on an interstate when she was rear-ended by another car. The car that collided with the 61-year-old woman was also rear-ended by another car, which was the cause of the multi-vehicle accident. It was reported that the driver who caused the chain reaction of accidents was driving while intoxicated.

The drunk driver had been drinking at a local establishment until approximately 2 p.m. and caused the multi-vehicle accident at approximately 5:20 p.m. At the time of the car accident, the drunk driver had a an alleged blood alcohol level of 0.229 percent. This blood alcohol level is almost twice the legal limit -- which is 0.08.

The 61-year-old driver incurred severe injuries from the car accident, which included several cervical herniations and decompressions. These injuries required the 61-year-old to have to corrective surgeries. The woman filed a lawsuit against the drunk driver and the local establishment that served the alcohol to the drunk driver.

Establishments that serve alcohol have the potential to be held liable for actions by their customers that cause harm to a third party under dram shop laws. Pursuant to the 61-year-old's lawsuit settlement, the local establishment paid $500,000 and the drunk driver's insurance company paid $250,000 to the driver for her injuries from the accident.

Source: Bridgewater Patch, "Green Brook Woman Wins Settlement Against Drunk Driver, Restaurant," John Patten, July 5, 2012