Local reports indicate 20-year-old Luke M. Taracki was critically injured riding in the passenger seat with suspected drunk driver 21-year-old Wyatt J. Becker. The accident occurred around 12:26 a.m. Saturday July 30 when Becker allegedly lost control of his 1998 Pontiac Bonneville striking a tree on Pike Road in Alexander New York. Taracki needed to be removed from the vehicle by paramedics and was rushed to Erie County Medical Center with critical injuries.
Site of the Accident
Commentary
Many may know that drunk driving places a greater burden of liability upon the driver in an accident but what others may not know is often times in alcohol-related accidents there are third parties involved in this liability. For instance if the reports are accurate and the driver was intoxicated was he drinking at a bar? An independent investigation is needed to determine third party liability but if Becker was found to be over-served at a bar or restaurant these places could potentially be held at least partially liable in this accident. New York has in place what are called Dram Shop laws that are designed to protect patrons of alcohol-serving establishments against the desires by those establishments to make money off them. Again this all points back to an investigation beyond that of the police report but the point is there could be claims beyond the apparent personal injury claim in this terrible accident.
Texas Personal Injury Attorney Michael Grossman
