Child Injured In Sacramento Collision Involving Delivery Driver At Restaurant Along Alta Arden Expressway
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA (February 23, 2023) – A female child was injured in a Sacramento car accident after a delivery driver drove into a restaurant located along the Alta Arden Expressway.
Sacramento County officials are saying that the collision took place after a delivery driver mistook the gas pedal for the brakes. The delivery driver went into the restaurant and hit the girl.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim. She was taken to the hospital in order to receive treatment.
The vehicle was eventually removed from the inside of the restaurant. A full investigation into the crash remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Sacramento Car Accidents
Car accidents where vehicles that drive into storefronts may seem like freak occurrences, but they are actually quite common. According to one report by Business Insider, there are more than 100 accidents where vehicles drive into buildings each day. More than half of these accidents occur at retail shops, restaurants or convenience stores. Pedal confusion is one of the leading causes of storefront collisions. Pedal confusion occurs when a driver mistakes the gas pedal for the brakes. There are steps that can be taken to prevent vehicles from going into storefronts.
- Businesses can install bollard posts which serve as a rigid structure that can prevent vehicles from entering certain areas.
- Businesses can remove parking spots that are directly in front of an entranceway.
- Businesses can reinforce storefront doors to serve as another barrier for errant drivers.
All drivers have a legal obligation to avoid hitting pedestrians. When a driver fails to exercise due care and hits a pedestrian, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. If a delivery driver was working at the time of a collision, their employer could be vicariously liable. Likewise, a business could be liable for a car accident due to a dangerous condition on their property. Pursuant to California Civil Code 1714, property owners must use ordinary care in the maintenance of their property. A property owner could be liable for an injury on their property caused by a dangerous condition on the property. When a business has actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition with their property, they must take action.
A lack of bollard posts could be construed as a dangerous condition. When many pedestrians are hit by vehicles at some location, this could serve as constructive notice of a dangerous condition. The convenience chain 7-11 recently agreed to pay a $91 million settlement to a man who lost both of his legs after being hit by a vehicle that crashed into a 7-11 store. There have been a reported 6,253 similar collisions at 7-11 over the last 15 years – all of which could have been prevented had 7-11 installed bollard posts at their stores. Victims of pedestrian collisions tend to suffer very serious injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
Any person that is injured in a car accident with a vehicle that drove into a storefront may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Sadly, though, drivers, delivery companies and store owners will often fight extremely hard to deny liability for any collision. A personal injury attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Sacramento Car Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our best wishes to the child injured in this crash and her family. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. This was a preventable crash that should not have taken place.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured due to the negligent actions of a driver? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of pedestrian accident attorneys are here for you. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they are entitled to. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support after a collision we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
