Curb Override Injuries in Front of Convenience Stores
A successful lawsuit highlights the dangers of curb override crashes. Here, we will discuss what a curb override crash is, where they happen, and how a curb override crash is preventable. Anyone injured by a vehicle that jumped the curb should talk to an injury attorney for help.
What Is A Curb Override Crash?
A curb override crash happens when a driver drives their vehicle over a curb and onto the sidewalk or walkway. This can happen when a driver misjudges the distance to the curb or presses the gas pedal instead of the brake.
Are Curb Override Crashes Common?
A curb override crash can happen anywhere vehicles travel near sidewalks and walkways. However, curb override crashes are more common where parking spaces and walkways come together. Curb overrides frequently happen in front of convenience stores and fast food restaurants.
Convenience Store Curb Override Injuries
Curb override crashes are a serious problem in front of convenience stores and fast food restaurants. These crashes can cause serious injuries or even death to pedestrians. In places where curb override crashes can happen, the crashes can be prevented with bollards.
What Are Bollards?
A bollard is a physical barrier that can prevent a curb override crash. Bollards are short, sturdy, vertical posts that are installed on sidewalks and walkways. They are designed to stop vehicles from going over the curb and onto the sidewalk or walkway. Bollards can be made from a variety of materials, including concrete, steel, and aluminum.
Bollards are an effective way to prevent curb override crashes. A study by the University of California, Berkeley found that bollards were effective in reducing pedestrian crashes by up to 70%. The study found that bollards were particularly effective in reducing crashes at intersections, in front of stores, and in areas where pedestrians were crossing the street.
Bollards are relatively inexpensive and easy to install to improve pedestrian safety.
Curb Override Lawsuit Against Convenience Store
A customer at a 7-Eleven was seriously injured after a driver jumped the curb and pinned him against the storefront. As a result, the man lost both legs. While investigating his injury claim, his attorney discovered the curb override could have been prevented. It was possible to sue the at-fault driver, but 7-Eleven was also responsible in part because of its negligence to install bollards.
This specific 7-Eleven had several incidents of drivers going over the curb and crashing into the storefront. 7-Eleven stores in the area and across the United States have experienced curb override incidents with varying store damage and customer injuries. With this knowledge, the store should have installed bollards to prevent future crashes. This is how negligence works – 7-Eleven knew, or should have known, curb overrides were possible and preventable.
In the end, the injured man was able to successfully sue the convenience store for his injuries. The lawsuit ended with a $91 million verdict for this injured customer. The money will never replace his legs, but it can help ensure he has the means to be comfortable. This lawsuit also serves as a warning to other businesses. A small investment in safety could have prevented this injury and countless others.
When To Contact An Injury Attorney
If you are injured as the result of a curb override crash, you may qualify for compensation for your injuries. While it is possible to sue the at-fault driver, there may be additional parties at fault for your injury. This kind of claim is complicated and must be properly handled to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Contact a personal injury lawyer for help.
Curb Override Injury Attorney
If you are injured in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Maryland, talk to an injury attorney at Kane & Silverman. We provide free legal consultations. You don’t pay us anything unless we recover money for you. Contact us to schedule a free legal consultation with an injury attorney.