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How to Stay Safe and Avoid a DUI This St. Patrick’s Day

Robert Stahle • March 11, 2019
A glass of green beer with shamrocks and a bottle of beer on a wooden table.

Every year on March 17th, many of us partake in the celebration of the patron saint of Ireland. While the origins of the American celebration of St. Patrick’s Day are more religious in nature, the modern version includes a variety of celebrations and tributes – including droves of people heading to their favorite pub or tavern to enjoy a green hued brew or a shot of their favorite Irish whisky.

While we wish you the happiest of celebrations on this coming St. Patrick’s Day, it’s important to enjoy the festivities in the safest way possible. Drinking and driving puts yourself and others in danger and it also increases the chances of being on the receiving end of a DUI. Rather than taking the risk, here’s how you can avoid a DUI while celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.


The Designated Driver

If you’re celebrating with a group of friends, having a designated driver can help prevent a DUI for everyone in your group. Being the designated driver is a tremendous responsibility, so it’s important to be realistic before nominating someone for this role or signing up for it yourself.

The temptation to have just one or two drinks can be strong on St. Patrick’s Day. Unfortunately, this is often enough to impair a person’s driving. Make sure that your designated driver is content with an alcohol free celebration and is responsible enough to stick to the plan.


A Ride at Your Fingertips

With services like Uber and Lyft available in most areas, a safe ride home involves nothing more than the installation of an app on your phone. If you’re going out with a group of friends, designate one or two of them to be in charge of arranging transportation via Uber, Lyft or even an old school taxi.


Take Advantage of Public Transportation

Many medium to larger sized cities offer special public transportation options to help keep residents safe on St. Patrick’s Day. Before the day of celebration arrives, look at your local municipality’s website or check social media to see if public transportation is an option.


Out of Sight Means Out of Mind

Even if you go with one of the above options, you might think it’s a good idea to drive to your destination and then take another form of transportation home if you end up overindulging in alcohol. Unfortunately, this can set you up for making a decision that you’ll regret for years to come.

Often, people misjudge how impaired their driving is or might realize that coming back the next day to retrieve their vehicle is going to be an incredible hassle. Instead, leave your car at home and even take your car keys off your keychain. Zero access to your automobile eliminates the chances of needing to contact a DUI defense attorney in the morning.


Have a Safe Celebration

Finally, the surest way to avoid a DUI on St. Patrick’s Day is to enjoy an alcohol free celebration. There are plenty of ways to celebrate with friends and family without jeopardizing your future. However, if you find yourself as the recipient of a DUI charge, contact an experienced DUI defense attorney at Fitch & Stahle Law Office to discuss your case. A DUI can have devastating, long lasting effects. Stay safe so you can enjoy St. Patrick’s Day celebrations for years to come.

What Victims Should Know About Drunk Driving Injury Lawsuits in Iowa and Nebraska

By Robert Stahle • July 28, 2025
Including Dram Shop Liability

Drunk Driving Accidents & Nebraska Dram Shop Laws:

By Robert Stahle • July 16, 2025
How a Sioux City Personal Injury Attorney Can Help You Seek Justice Each year, drunk driving crashes leave thousands injured or killed—causing devastating emotional, physical, and financial consequences. Despite strict DUI laws and public awareness campaigns, impaired drivers continue to pose a serious threat across Iowa, Nebraska, and the country. For victims, the aftermath of a drunk driving accident is more than just painful—it can be life-altering. At Fitch & Stahle Law Firm , we fight to hold negligent drivers (and sometimes even the businesses that served them) accountable under the law. If you’ve been hurt in a crash involving a drunk driver, we’ll explain your legal options, including how Nebraska’s Dram Shop law may play a role in your case. Why File a Drunk Driving Lawsuit? Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not just illegal—it’s a reckless act that endangers everyone on the road. When a driver chooses to get behind the wheel impaired, they can (and should) be held civilly liable for the damage they cause. While a criminal DUI case focuses on punishing the offender, a civil personal injury lawsuit is about helping you rebuild. It allows you to pursue compensation for: Medical expenses (past and future) Lost wages and diminished earning capacity Pain and suffering Emotional trauma Property damage Rehabilitation costs Punitive damages (in cases of extreme recklessness) Nebraska’s Dram Shop Law: Holding Alcohol Providers Accountable Under Nebraska’s Dram Shop Law , victims of drunk driving accidents may also be able to file a lawsuit against the business or establishment that overserved the intoxicated driver. Here’s how it works: A licensed alcohol vendor (such as a bar, restaurant, or event venue) can be held liable if they served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person or a minor , and that person later caused injury or death. Nebraska law limits these claims to commercial sellers of alcohol—not social hosts. A dram shop claim can help recover damages if the drunk driver lacks adequate insurance or personal assets. This area of law is complex, and not all attorneys are familiar with how to navigate the strict requirements and timelines involved in dram shop litigation. That’s why working with a firm like Fitch & Stahle , which handles cases in both Nebraska and Iowa , is crucial. What Needs to Be Proven in a Drunk Driving Case? To recover damages in a drunk driving lawsuit, your legal team must prove the following: Duty of care – The driver had a legal responsibility to drive safely. Breach of duty – That responsibility was violated by driving impaired. Causation – The impairment directly led to the accident and your injuries. Damages – You experienced real harm—such as medical costs, lost income, or emotional distress. In dram shop cases, your lawyer will also need to demonstrate that the bar or establishment served a visibly intoxicated individual who went on to cause the crash. Why You Need a DUI Injury Lawyer in Nebraska or Iowa Drunk driving cases are rarely straightforward—especially when multiple parties may share liability. Insurance companies will often try to minimize payouts, shift blame, or dispute your injuries altogether. At Fitch & Stahle Law Firm , we will: Preserve key evidence such as police reports, BAC results, surveillance video, and eyewitness accounts Analyze potential dram shop liability Work with medical and accident reconstruction experts to build your case Identify all available sources of compensation Aggressively negotiate with insurance companies—or take your case to trial if needed Our team has deep experience with Nebraska’s unique dram shop provisions and Iowa’s liability standards. We understand what it takes to hold all negligent parties accountable. What Damages Can You Recover? Depending on the specifics of your case, compensation may include: Economic damages : Medical bills, lost income, future treatment costs, property loss Non-economic damages : Pain, suffering, mental anguish, loss of companionship Punitive damages : Intended to punish especially reckless conduct—like drunk driving In cases where dram shop liability applies, these claims can be especially valuable when the at-fault driver is underinsured or has no assets. Time Is Critical – Act Now In Nebraska, the statute of limitations for personal injury and dram shop lawsuits is typically four years , but specific timelines may apply depending on the facts of your case. Evidence like surveillance footage and eyewitness memories can fade fast—so it’s essential to speak with an attorney right away. Get Help from a Sioux City Personal Injury Attorney Who Understands Nebraska Dram Shop Law If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver—especially one who may have been overserved at a Nebraska bar or restaurant—you have the right to seek full and fair compensation. At Fitch & Stahle Law Firm , we’ve helped countless clients across Sioux City , Iowa , and Nebraska recover after devastating crashes. We’ll handle the legal details so you can focus on healing. Call us today for a free consultation — and let’s start fighting for the justice you deserve.