Scottsdale Old Town DUI Accidents: A Recurring Danger

Old Town Scottsdale is one of the Phoenix metro area’s most popular nightlife destinations — dozens of bars and clubs packed into a few walkable blocks. That concentration of alcohol and vehicles creates a predictable, recurring danger: DUI crashes.

The Pattern

DUI-related accidents near Old Town tend to cluster on weekend nights, especially in the hours after the bars close. The primary corridors affected are Scottsdale Road, Camelback Road, Indian School Road, and the Loop 101 on-ramps near the entertainment district.

The pattern intensifies during major events: spring training (Scottsdale Stadium is in Old Town), the Waste Management Phoenix Open, the Barrett-Jackson auto auction, and New Year’s Eve.

Dram Shop Claims: The Bar May Be Liable Too

If a drunk driver hits you after leaving an Old Town bar, you likely have a claim against the driver and the establishment that overserved them. Under Arizona’s dram shop law (A.R.S. § 4-311), bars and restaurants that serve alcohol to a “obviously intoxicated” person can be held liable for injuries that person causes.

This is significant because the bar’s commercial insurance policy is often much larger than the individual driver’s personal auto policy. A $25,000 personal policy won’t cover your injuries — but a bar’s liability policy might be $1,000,000 or more.

Punitive Damages

Because drunk driving is a conscious choice, Arizona courts allow punitive damages — additional compensation designed to punish the wrongdoer. This can significantly increase the total value of your claim.

What to Do If Hit by a Drunk Driver in Scottsdale

Call 911 immediately. The criminal case against the drunk driver is separate from your civil claim. Request that officers note any evidence of intoxication. Get medical attention the same day. And call an attorney immediately — evidence of what bar the driver was at and how much they were served needs to be preserved quickly.

Call (833) DTF-IGHT. The Law Badgers handle DUI crash cases throughout Scottsdale and the Valley.