San Francisco Injury Lawyer Blog
It turns out, you do not have to be in a car to get into a car crash. You can be involved in an auto accident while sitting in your living room. On March 26, a vehicle struck home after being involved in a traffic accident, according to the Redwood City Fire Department. The original two-vehicle collision occurred at 34 Center Street around 8:00 p.m. There were no reports of injuries in this particularly incident. However, not all families are so lucky.
While vehicle-into-building accidents are not as common as traffic collisions, they are not so few and far between that you can ignore the risk. Some statistics say around 60 vehicles crash into commercial buildings per day across United States. The rate is likely higher when including residential houses and apartment buildings. If you are injured by a vehicle colliding with the building you were in, whether at home or work, contact an experienced San Francisco personal injury attorney at Brod Law Firm.
Common Causes of Vehicle-into-Building Accidents
Vehicles driving into buildings make far less sense than accidents that occur on streets and at intersections. One wrong move while driving – even if it seems small – can lead you directly into the path of another vehicle or cause you to hit another car. However, there are also common issues for drivers that increase the likelihood of colliding with a commercial building or residence. Common causes of vehicle-into-building accidents include:
- Distracted driving, including cell phone use
- Drowsy driving or falling asleep behind the wheel
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Pushing the incorrect pedal
- Putting the vehicle into the wrong gear
- Confusion due to a medical condition
- A traffic accident
- A medical event
According to the Storefront Safety Council, 34% of these accidents are caused by pedal errors. The next most likely causes are DUI and operator error. What this tells you is that most vehicle-into-building crashes are preventable and often due to the driver’s negligence.
Your Legal Options After a Vehicle-into-Building Crash
If you were injured when a car collided with the building you were in, your most likely source of compensation for your injuries is the at-fault driver’s auto insurance. Just as if you were in another vehicle, you will make a third-party insurance claim against the driver’s policy. You will be required to prove that the driver was responsible for the accident and your injuries and demonstrate the type and extent of your injuries. You may also include costs for repairing your property in your claim. However, many issues can arise in vehicle accidents that make a settlement difficult to obtain. In that case, you may need to file a personal injury suit against the at-fault driver.
Your best course of action is to contact a San Francisco personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your accident. An experienced lawyer from Brod Law Firm can analyze your situation, explain your rights, and determine the next best steps toward obtaining compensation for your injuries. At Brod Law Firm, we will focus on obtaining the maximum compensation possible for your injuries.
Call us today at (800) 427-7020 to schedule a free consultation.
(image courtesy of Lili Popper)