Providing Alcohol To Someone Who Injures Another As A Result Of Intoxication Results In No Civil Liability.

Five young women, all under the age of 21, got into a car after partying all night (and drinking alcohol) at a friend’s house. Driving on the wrong side of the road, the car collided with a bicyclist, who was seriously injured. The bicyclist and his wife sued, among others, all of the occupants of the car. During the evening, at one point or another, all four women went to the store to purchase alcohol which was consumed at the party. The trial court entered judgments in favor of the four passengers. The question presented on appeal was whether the four women who were not driving, but who are alleged to have supplied some of the alcohol, can be held liable for the bicyclist’s injuries. The appellate court affirmed, concluding “the Legislature, by enacting Civil Code section 1714, has precluded any liability claim against the women.”  Rybicki v. Carlson (Cal. App. Second Dist., Div. 4; May 22, 2013) 216 Cal.App.4th 758.