Wednesday's 5-2 ruling stems from a 2006 motorcycle crash in which Frederick Voss had a blood-alcohol level of .196 percent, or nearly two and a half times the legal limit of .08 percent.
Voss later pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated.
He sued the Toms River restaurant Tiffany's, claiming it negligently kept serving him.
The tavern said the suit isn't allowed under a state law that says people convicted of DWI cannot sue.
The court ruled that law pertains to insurance claims, not to those who serve drinks.
