Another Way to Think About Stowers Doctrine – The Bodyguard Analogy

We recently got an email from a law student named Mary R. who wanted to know more about Stowers Doctrine. She asked: My Bar Program did not mention the Stower's doctrine, but I remember my professor mentioning it a couple of semesters ago. I would like to know if this is only for third party...

What Do I Do If a Uber or Lyft Driver Hits Me?

Ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft are a fact of life in many areas. Given the rideshare company's recent arrival on the scene and its unconventional business model, many questions arise from crashes involving a rideshare driver. What happens if a rideshare driver hits you? Who is a fault, the ridesharing company or the...

It’s 2020: Why Doesn’t Texas Require Bars to Carry Liquor Liability Insurance?

Texas lawmakers and the public have to make a choice. Drunk driving accidents not only kill and maim, but they leave tremendous financial devastation in their wake. As a community, we must decide who bears that cost. Should drunk drivers and lawbreaking bars pay or victims and the general public? The answer seems obvious to me.

If South Carolina Can Mandate Liquor Liability Insurance, Why Can’t Texas?

Good news, South Carolinians! Legislators in your state passed a law in June requiring bars and restaurants that sell alcohol past 5 p.m. to have liability insurance policies of at least $1 million. Under the new law, these businesses will need to show proof of such a policy before they are able to obtain or...

How Do I Discover the Other Driver’s Insurance Policy Limits?

I've learned over the years that the quickest way to make people's eyes glaze over is to either discuss evidentiary rules in Texas courts or to talk about insurance. Despite being a topic that doesn't make people scream, "Oh, tell me more," following a fatal accident, knowing how insurance works is crucial to the surviving...