Just this past weekend, a 58-year-old woman was charged with driving while intoxicated after she allegedly reversed her car at high speed into the doorway and brick wall of a busy McDonald’s in Haddon Township after ordering food from the restaurant’s drive-through.  She was also charged with careless driving.

The driver, Eileen Devine, was the only individual who suffered reported injuries.  Following the crash, she was taken to Cooper University Hospital where she was treated for lower-leg pain.  Although Devine was unable to immediately explain what had happened, an alleged eyewitness said after Devine’s car crashed into the wall of the McDonald’s, he jumped out of his car, ran to the crashed vehicle, turned the key, and shut off the vehicle after he noticed Devine’s legs were away from the pedals but the engine was still running.

Fortunately in this case no one else was harmed in the crash; however, a victim of a drunk driving accident may have multiple options for recovery.  If alcohol is involved in a motor vehicle accident, the victim may sue the drunk driver for damages under the general laws of negligence.  If the victim is killed as a result of the accident, a wrongful death suit may be brought against the drunk driver.

The victim may also be entitled to damages not only from the drunk driver, but from other parties who may have played a role in causing the accident.  New Jersey, amongst other states, has Dram Shop laws.  Dram Shop laws allow the victim who was involved in an automobile accident with a drunk driver to sue the individual or business, such as a bar or restaurant, that negligently served alcoholic beverages to the visibly intoxicated person involved in the accident.