Vehicle Crashes into Building on San Antonio’s South Side
Recently, a driver crashed into a residential building in the 900 block of Deely Place, near South Flores Street, causing serious damage to the cornerstone of the home. Law enforcement stated that the driver lost control of their vehicle after hitting a speed bump, crashing into a mailbox and then the home. No one appeared to be home, and no injuries were reported, but the driver fled on foot after the crash. San Antonio police are currently seeking them, though no word exists as to whether they will be charged. If you are injured in this type of accident, however, you have many different options to potentially explore so that you can ensure your medical bills are taken care of.
Not As Uncommon As One Might Think
While it may seem like vehicles crashing into buildings are very unusual events, in reality, it happens much more often than the average person hears. A group called the Storefront Safety Council (SSC) was launched in 2011 to chart the prevalence of these types of accidents, though they only deal with damage to commercial buildings. Still, the statistics are instructive – the largest percentage of the crashes charted in their most recent available data were attributed to driver error (approximately one-third), with pedal error (malfunctioning automobiles or parts) being the next most prevalent cause.
The SSC is careful to note that they do not track accidents involving residential homes, such as the one on Deely Place, but they also make it clear that their research does not even cover all the building-vehicle crashes that occur – their estimate is approximately one-sixth to one-eighth of all those that occur in the United States. Unfortunately, this type of accident is not tracked by the larger statistics keepers such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) because of the perception that they are so infrequent.
Who Is Liable?
It can feel confusing to try and determine who might be potentially liable for the injuries you have suffered in a building-vehicle accident. The thing that is necessary for you to remember is that even if the person who caused the accident is held liable for your injuries, you will only be compensated for as much as their policy covers. If you sustain $10,000 in medical bills and $25,000 in property damage, but the liable party’s insurance is only valued up to $15,000, then $15,000 will be the extent of your recovery.
If it is necessary to go to trial over the issue, keep in mind that you may be able to recover even if you are partially at fault. Texas law honors a concept called comparative fault, which states that if your percentage of fault is less than 50 percent – that is, less than the defendant’s percentage of fault – you can still recover, though your award will be lowered by the amount of your percentage of fault. So, if you were ruled to have been 20 percent at fault, any compensation you receive in court would be lowered by 20 percent.
Ask a New Braunfels Car Crash Lawyer for Help
While thankfully, no one was hurt in the Deely Place accident, you may not be so lucky if you are involved in a similar crash. The skilled New Braunfels auto accident attorneys at the Bettersworth Law Firm have handled countless types of car crash cases, and are ready to try and help you deal with whatever life has thrown your way. Contact our office today at 888-392-0039 to schedule a free consultation.
Sources:
https://www.ksat.com/traffic/driver-sought-by-police-after-vehicle-crash-into-south-side-home
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CP/htm/CP.33.htm
