Specific hazards inside a bar or nightclub are unavoidable. On the road, there are some dangers that you cannot avoid. However, driving in the nightlife scene will be a safer place.
Our DC personal injury lawyers have b you can take toto injury. Our firm handles doze limit exposure ns of bar injuries every year. By suggesting these nightclub safety tips, we hope Washington, DC, has been practicing injury law here and in Maryland for 69 years. In addition to the nearly seven decades practicing in Washington, DC, we also provide scholarships to local colleges. We hope this continued effort will continue to expand the sense of community in the District.
Planning is crucial in all aspects of life, and it becomes even more vital when alcohol is involved. As personal injury lawyers, we strongly advocate for planning and implementing nightclub safety tips. Our first and foremost suggestion is to plan. While transportation, such as the Metro, is a reliable option, services like Uber and Lyft also offer convenient alternatives in the area. Remember, the most dangerous decision after a night out is to drive. This significantly increases the risk of serious injury.
It’s important to understand that there are severe legal and safety consequences for driving under the influence. Beyond the potential legal liability, it’s a matter of safety for everyone on the road. Planning for alternate transportation not only mitigates the legal risks but also ensures your safety and the safety of others. If you find yourself in a situation where you can’t access or afford public transportation, it’s always a safer choice to call a friend.
You should also inform a friend or family member of your plans and review this list of nightclub safety tips with them. There is no telling what will happen throughout the night. Telling someone where you are does two things. First, it stops that person from having to worry about you. Second, if you lose your phone or run out of battery, you now have an additional means of returning home.
Choosing the right bar can be easier said than done. Especially if you are unfamiliar with the area or want to choose somewhere new, selecting the right place can be a guessing game. Fortunately, doing due diligence with things like Google’s reviews is more accessible now. Some clubs are safer than others. If a place has a reputation for poor safety, it might be wise to heed the advice to stay away. A bar can be unsafe for several reasons. Overcrowding is a big issue in some places.
Some clubs circumvent capacity restrictions by calculating their square footage in tricky ways. For example, they may have an outside section, but it is closed due to weather. Then, the club may fit the same number of people in the smaller, inside section. This is a crucial nightclub safety tip. Overcrowding can lead to pushing, fights, and sometimes death. If a club has a reputation for overcrowding, consider looking elsewhere.
Another reason to look for another bar or club is due to a lack of security. Especially in 2023, adequate security is a necessity for a bar. Further, it can be negligent by the nightclub to not have adequate security. Most bars and nightclubs know this. If they do not comply with this duty, it is best to stay away. We have handled many cases where there was chaos in the bar due to a lack of security, and injury ensued.
Once inside, a simple yet essential nightclub safety tip is to be aware of your surroundings. Throughout the night, it can be easy to get caught up in the moment. However, it is always worthwhile to take a moment to ensure everything around you is safe. This means checking to see if there is anyone at the bar who may pose a threat to you or your group. It also means making sure you are aware of exits in the case of an emergency.
This is ultimately your responsibility. No one will watch out for you as well as you can. This means, at the least, doing the little things right. An important nightclub safety tip is not to leave your drink unattended. If possible, do not even let it leave your line of sight. Unfortunately, people do get drugged at bars and nightclubs. What is worse, victims generally have no idea who did it or have any way to prove it. While we have received calls from potential clients asking about this, the best thing you can do in that situation is to communicate with the bar or nightclub owner and review security footage. This may or may not lead to some identifiable pictures to give to police.
Remember that you have a legal right to a safe environment. Many laws protect patrons at bars. If you are at a bar or nightclub and notice something potentially hazardous, bring it up with ownership. This puts them on legal notice. Otherwise, the law gives them a grace period to inspect on their own. How long that grace period would be depends on the facts of the case.
If you have any questions or believe you have a viable claim, contact our office for a free consultation or more nightclub safety tips.