Subtle Causes of Storefront Collisions in Owings Mills

A storefront crash in Owings Mills can change your life forever, and you may want to determine its true cause for closure, justice, and compensation. However, the exact cause of a storefront crash isn’t always clear. Even if a vehicle barreled into the front of a restaurant or nail salon, the driver may not be wholly to blame. Although this might sound counterintuitive, the legal concept of “causation” is not always straightforward.

Storefront Crashes Caused by “Near Misses” 

A storefront crash can be caused by a “near miss.” For example, a driver may have been forced to swerve to avoid a collision with a drunk or distracted driver. This maneuver may have taken the vehicle directly into the path of a storefront, causing catastrophic injuries and destruction. In this situation, the driver who crashed into the storefront may not be to blame for the injuries. In other cases, they may only be partially at-fault. The true culprit is often the negligent driver who caused the near-miss.

 Irresponsible Parents Could be Liable for Storefront Crashes 

If parents allowed their minor to drive their vehicle, they may become liable for any damage caused by the child. This is especially true if parents knowingly allowed a minor to drive their vehicle without a valid driver’s license. Parents may also shoulder liability caused by intoxicated teens. In many cases, you can pursue compensation from the parents’ insurance policy to cover medical expenses, missed wages, and other damages.

 Storefront Crashes Caused by Negligent Property Owners 

In other cases, storefront crashes are partially caused by negligent property owners. This is called “premise liability,” and a store owner could be liable for injuries if they failed to protect the establishment against vehicle impacts. If a storefront is located on a busy intersection known for crashes, you might argue that they had a legal duty to construct barriers or bollards.

Even if a store is not located next to a busy road, the owner could be liable if crashes continuously occur. Once a store owner becomes aware of a potential threat, they have a duty of care to make security improvements. If they do not address the hazard, they could become liable for future injuries.

The Driver Could Also Be Liable 

With all that said, sometimes the driver is indeed liable for these kinds of crashes. Keep in mind that this driver may not be able to pay for your damages – especially if they were driving without valid insurance. This is why you might need to consider additional defendants and liable parties with help from an experienced Maryland injury attorney.

Can a Storefront Crash Lawyer in Owings Mills Help? 

A Baltimore personal injury lawyer may be able to help you clear up complex questions regarding causation. The average injured victim is not a legal scholar and online research may raise more questions than it answers. A consultation could provide more accurate guidance, and it often represents the first step toward justice and compensation. Call Furman Honick Law today and speak with a partner for a free case evaluation.

Sources: 

delmarvanow.com/picture-gallery/news/local/maryland/2024/06/04/two-cars-collide-with-salisbury-cricket-store-after-parking-lot-crash/73977963007/

dcnewsnow.com/news/local-news/maryland/montgomery-county/car-crash-into-bethesda-shop-injures-one/