Injured by a Car Crashing into a Tampa Restaurant: Can I Sue?
You’re sitting down to enjoy your favorite meal with your family when suddenly an SUV comes smashing through the storefront, slamming into your table and pinning you against the far wall. As unlikely as this scenario might sound, it happens more than many realize. What are your legal options as you recover from your injuries? Can a Tampa car accident lawyer help you get the compensation you deserve?
Cars Crash Into Buildings All the Time in the Tampa Bay Area
On July 22nd, 2026, WTSP reported that an SUV had crashed into a restaurant in Tampa. Officials say that the driver of the 2013 Ford Explorer went straight into the dining room of the establishment after losing control in the Carrollwood Village shopping plaza. The driver reportedly attempted to maneuver around another car that was backing out of a parking spot before slamming into three other parked cars and veering into the restaurant.
While the restaurant was open for business at the time of the crash, no customers were inside except for a chef preparing food in the back kitchen. If the accident had happened at peak hours, it could have been much more disastrous, potentially claiming numerous lives or causing severe injuries. One worker told reporters that during break, he usually sits in a chair that was demolished by the SUV. The collision happened just minutes before his normal break time.
Police are continuing to investigate the crash, although they say the driver showed no signs of impairment. Officers came to a very different conclusion two weeks prior, when they determined that a woman who crashed into a Tampa Bay building was intoxicated. Not only that, but she had two minors in her vehicle at the time. Fortunately, no one was injured.
Who Is Liable in a Storefront/Building Crash?
If you were injured by a reckless driver who crashed into a building, you may have various options for compensation. If you were an employee working inside a restaurant or any other workplace at the time of the collision, your first instinct might be to file a workers’ comp claim.
Although this is a valid option, you might also want to explore an auto accident claim against the at-fault driver. This could potentially provide you with more compensation than a workers’ comp claim, especially if you suffered serious injuries. Another option might be to file a negligent security claim against the property owner, and this could be a valid option if the owner failed to take preventative steps after similar collisions in the past.
Contact a Tampa Car Accident Lawyer After a Storefront Crash
Storefront crashes in Tampa can be traumatizing, and they may leave you with permanent disabilities. However, they can also be confusing from a legal perspective. Speak with an experienced lawyer to determine who might be liable, how much compensation you might receive, and the pathway toward justice. Anderson & Anderson serves car accident victims in the Tampa Bay Area, so contact us at 813-251-0072 to get started.
Sources:
wtsp.com/article/news/local/hillsboroughcounty/suv-crashes-plate-tapas-carrollwood-restaurant/67-02c69983-4a2b-4943-a7bd-9a397640a678
wfla.com/news/pasco-county/pasco-woman-arrested-for-dui-after-crashing-into-building-sheriffs-vehicle-fhp/
