When Cars Crash Into Buildings: What Can West Palm Beach Accident Victims Do?

On August 3, shop owner Celeste Gaitan was killed when an elderly man drove a vehicle into her Miami boutique. The accident made headlines throughout Florida because the driver, Pedro Ruiz, is the father of popular Miami salsa singer Rey Ruiz. Mr. Ruiz had hit the accelerator instead of the brake. Thirty-three-year-old Celeste Gaitan was six months pregnant at the time. Her friend, a woman in her 20s was also killed. Neither Mr. Ruiz nor his passenger were injured.

The same day, a pick-up truck crashed into a Palm Spring pizza parlor after an accident on Forest Hill Boulevard. The pick-up ended up in the dining room of Bellante's Pizza and Pasta Buffet. The accident occurred before dawn. Had it occurred during business hours, customers would have certainly been injured. The driver sustained only minor injuries.

Last month, a 24-year-old man lost control of his Mercedes-Benz and smashed into a Pam Beach shoe store. The man had suffered from a medical condition and may have sustained a traumatic brain injury. No one was in the store and, fortunately, no pedestrians were injured.

In May, an elderly woman put her car to reverse by mistake and accidentally backed into a house in Boynton Beach. Several people were in the home, but they escaped injury.

In September, a car crashed into the home of a Lantana Family. An 8-year-old child was playing six feet away as the car smashed through his grandmother's living room wall. The driver had forgotten her medication and had a seizure while driving.

What do you do when a car hits your home or business?

The first thing to do is check for injuries.

If possible, get out of the building. There may structural damage that could cause the building to collapse.

Call 911 and report the accident. Let the dispatcher know if anyone is injured and request that an officer be sent to the scene. Ask the officer to fill out an accident report.

Who pays the damages when a car hits your home or business?

Your injuries should be covered by the insurance company of the at-fault driver. Contact a West Palm Beach auto accident attorney to learn more.

Your property damage should be covered by your own insurance. You will need to contact your home-owners or business insurance company and let them know that an accident has occurred. You may be asked to get your own estimate for the repairs.

Once you file your damage claim with your own insurance company, the insurance company will try to get compensation from the insurance company of the at-fault driver.

If you don't have adequate insurance to cover the damages or the settlement seems low, you may wish to speak to a West Palm Beach accident attorney. West Palm Beach accident attorney Craig Goldenfarb helps accident victims throughout South Florida. To schedule a free consultation, call 800-GOLD-LAW.