Did you know that 1 in 7 car accidents in Tennessee resulting in a serious injury involve a drunk driver? According to the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security, approximately half of all DUI accidents across the United States result in injury or death. As the statistics demonstrate, drunk driving is a serious problem on our roads. If you have been injured by a drunk driver, you can work with a car accident lawyer in Knoxville to seek compensation from the driver, but did you know that in Tennessee, you may also be able to seek compensation from the person who sold the alcohol to the drunk driver? Here is everything you need to know about Tennessee’s dram shop laws.

What is a Dram Shop Law?

The Tennessee dram shop law (Tenn. Code Ann. § 57-10-102) is designed to hold individuals and business owners accountable for injuries and losses caused by intoxicated people whom they have supplied alcohol to. Tennessee law sets specific criteria under which a business may be held responsible for serving alcohol to an individual who later causes harm, such as a drunk driving accident, after being overserved while already under the influence. Your car accident lawyer in Knoxville can bring a lawsuit against a business or vendor under the following circumstances:

  • If it can be proven that they sold alcohol to someone who was already visibly intoxicated or under the age of 21.
  • The consumption of alcohol can be directly related to causing injury or death.

Both of these factors must be met for your car accident lawyer in Knoxville to pursue a dram shop liability lawsuit on your behalf. It can be challenging to prove visible intoxication, especially in a busy bar environment where bartenders could be serving hundreds of customers over the course of the night, making it difficult to keep track of how many drinks each patron is consuming. However, your car accident lawyer in Knoxville will gather evidence, including CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts, and police reports, to prove that the customer was drunk and they continued to be served alcohol. It is also worth noting that your car accident lawyer must also be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that there is direct causation. Typically, this burden of proof is higher for dram shop cases than for most other types of personal injury claims.

When Can You File a Dram Shop Lawsuit?

Although dram shop laws are most commonly associated with drunk driving accidents, your car accident lawyer in Knoxville may suggest going down this route in other situations where a drunk individual has caused injury or property damage. They are not solely for drunk driving incidents. Dram shop laws only apply to licensed alcohol vendors such as bars and restaurants. Social hosts, for example, at a party, usually cannot be held liable under dram shop laws.

What To Do If You Have Been Injured by a Drunk Individual

Whether it is a drunk driving incident or any other situation involving an intoxicated individual, the first step if you have been injured is to seek the necessary medical attention. You should then report the incident to the appropriate authorities and seek counsel from a car accident lawyer in Knoxville.

Why Choose Butler, Vines & Babb

When pursuing a dram shop lawsuit in Tennessee, experience and legal insight are critical—qualities that set Butler, Vines & Babb apart. With over 40 years of proven results, our team has handled complex personal injury and liquor liability cases with the skill and precision they demand. Dram shop laws in Tennessee require a deep understanding of both legal nuance and investigative strategy. Our attorneys know how to gather evidence to prove visible intoxication and direct causation, often using video footage, eyewitness accounts, and expert testimony to build a strong case.

At Butler, Vines & Babb, we understand the emotional and financial toll these cases can take. That’s why we take a compassionate, client-focused approach—fighting for the compensation you deserve while guiding you through every step of the legal process. We’re not just lawyers—we’re advocates committed to making Tennessee roads safer by holding negligent alcohol vendors accountable. If you or a loved one has been harmed due to overserving, trust the firm with the experience, reputation, and dedication to get results. Choose Butler, Vines & Babb—where your case matters.

Drunk driving accidents are not only devastating—they are often preventable. Tennessee’s dram shop laws are designed to hold alcohol vendors accountable when they irresponsibly serve visibly intoxicated individuals who go on to cause harm. While pursuing a dram shop lawsuit can be complex, especially when it comes to proving visible intoxication and direct causation, it may offer an additional path to justice and compensation for victims. If someone under the influence has injured you or a loved one, don’t navigate the legal process alone. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer in Knoxville can help you explore all your legal options, including whether dram shop liability may apply to your case.

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Butler, Vines and Babb is a leading law firm in Knoxville, TN, with extensive litigation experience in Medical Malpractice Law Birth Injury Law, Trucking Accident Law, Personal Injury Law, and Business Law. Contact us today at www.bvblaw.com or call 865-637-3531.

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