Dinner Gone Amuck When Car Crashes into Restaurant
What started out as a lovely Thai dinner one Friday evening ended in chaos after a Nissan smashed through the building. As shards of glass and furniture flew about the room, terrified diners and employees rushed to avoid being crushed. Ultimately, 20 people were injured during the alarming intrusion, and 12 individuals required hospitalization.
How Could This Happen?
The initial investigation revealed only that the driver of the vehicle was attempting to park, and accidentally careened into the restaurant instead. Pedal misapplication can prove to be a serious mistake, as in this case, and it accounts for about one in four accidents involving vehicles colliding into buildings or walls. And while it sounds like it should be a one-in-a-million-year event, the fact is that cars slam through buildings 60 times a day throughout the country, injuring up to 4,000 people annually and killing about 500. In about a third of these incidents, operator error is to blame.
Where They Occur
These kinds of accidents can happen anytime, anywhere. While they most often occur in office buildings, restaurants, and convenience stores, and restaurants, even homes have been invaded by motor vehicles. In most cases, these events occur when drivers pull up to the curb to park or drop someone off, sometimes after having had too much alcohol. But better parking lot design and the implementation of security barriers could minimize the frequency of such accidents. Stylish bollards are available that can protect places that have nose-in parking stalls. They provide both a visible reminder to stop, and a physical barrier that can prevent calamity.
Following an Accident
After the initial shock of an incident like this, what should you do? As with any accident, follow these important steps:
- Check yourself first for any injuries you may have sustained.
- If you’re ok, check the people around you to see if anyone needs help.
- Get yourself and others into a safe location as quickly as possible.
- Call 911 and calmly describe the location and situation.
While awaiting assistance, exchange information with people at the scene. They are all witnesses to what happened, and their testimony will be vital going forward. - Document the incident the best you can, with notes, photos, and so forth.
Civil Action
If you or a loved one suffers from serious injuries or death as a result of this type of incident, you may be entitled to damages to address your medical costs, lost present and future wages, pain and suffering, and more. That’s why it’s important to have the knowledgeable Kissimmee personal injury attorneys at Salazar & Kelly Law Group on your team from the get-go. Schedule a confidential consultation in our office today.
Source:
local10.com/news/local/2023/08/19/driver-crashes-into-restaurant-injuring-20-in-broward/
