Storefront Crashes: Can I Sue as an Injured Pedestrian in the Bronx?

Vehicles are slamming into restaurants and stores with stunning frequency in the Bronx. If you were injured in a Bronx storefront crash, consider speaking with Cohan Law, PLLC about your next legal steps. These cases often require a careful investigation into both the negligent driver and the property owner because there may be more than one source of insurance coverage available to compensate the injured victim. Our Bronx pedestrian accident attorney has the skills and experience to help you navigate the claims process.

Negligent Drivers Are Often Responsible for Storefront Crashes

Usually, the most obvious negligent party in this situation is the driver. When a driver fails to maintain control of their vehicle and crashes into a building, they have utterly failed in their duty of care. One of the most basic responsibilities of any driver is to avoid colliding with buildings, especially restaurants or other structures occupied by large numbers of people.

These kinds of crashes are unfortunately quite common in the Bronx. On June 6th, 2026, Eyewitness News reported that a driver had lost control before slamming into the side of a fast food restaurant on Bruckner Boulevard. Although many customers were inside the McDonald’s at the time, no occupants were injured.

However, this situation could have been much worse. The vehicle actually became airborne before it struck the side of the restaurant, leaving a large hole behind and forcing the restaurant to shut down. The two people inside the vehicle fled the scene on foot. When a driver flees the scene, identifying insurance coverage becomes even more important. Among other things, a Bronx car accident lawyer can investigate the vehicle owner, auto policy, possible employer, surveillance footage, police records, and any uninsured or underinsured motorist issues that may apply.

When Are Property Owners Responsible for Storefront Crashes?

Property owners may share responsibility for these crashes under certain circumstances. For example, a property owner might have become aware that vehicles are more likely to strike their store. Perhaps the store is located on a busy intersection. Maybe it sits on a curve in the road where many drivers lose control.

Whatever the case may be, a property owner may need to take action once they become aware of the obvious threat. The solution may be as simple as installing bollards or barriers to prevent further impacts. After one or two storefront crashes, injured victims have the right to ask property owners why they didn’t take more effective steps to prevent future incidents. Evidence of prior similar crashes, repeated near-misses, dangerous parking lot design, missing barriers, exposed seating areas, or a drive-through lane pointed toward occupied space may help support a premises liability claim.

The Strategic Advantage: More Than One Insurance Policy May Apply

Storefront crash cases can be especially important because they may involve dual recovery. The negligent driver’s auto insurance policy may be one source of compensation. Beyond that, if the property owner also failed to use reasonable safety measures, the property owner’s commercial general liability policy may provide a second source of recovery. As these are complicated cases, an experienced Bronx auto accident attorney can help you take a strategic approach. You do not want to leave money on the table when pursuing this type of claim.

The distinction between the two options can matter enormously in a serious injury case. A driver may have only minimum auto coverage, which may be nowhere near enough to pay for emergency care, surgery, lost income, long-term disability, or pain and suffering. By contrast, commercial premises policies often carry substantially higher limits, sometimes $1 million, $5 million, or more depending on the business and property. Our Bronx pedestrian accident attorney can investigate both sides of the claim to determine whether the driver, vehicle owner, business operator, landlord, tenant, property manager, or maintenance company should be held accountable.

What Kinds of Injuries Are Associated With Storefront Crashes?

Storefront crashes frequently cause critical or fatal injuries. When a vehicle suddenly smashes through a storefront window, there is nowhere to run. Victims are trapped inside a tight, enclosed space, and they are totally vulnerable to the vehicle. These crashes often leave victims trapped underneath vehicles. Shattering glass, metal, and other materials may also fly through the air like shrapnel, causing additional injuries.

Key Takeaways

• Vehicles frequently crash into stores in the Bronx
• Injured customers may sue negligent drivers or property owners in these situations
• Victims often suffer life-altering injuries in storefront crashes
• A storefront crash case may involve both the driver’s auto policy and the property owner’s commercial general liability policy
• Property owner liability may provide access to higher insurance limits when the driver’s coverage is not enough
• Evidence of prior crashes, poor site design, missing bollards, or unsafe traffic flow can be critical

Can a Storefront Crash Lawyer in the Bronx Help Me?

A storefront crash lawyer in the Bronx may be able to help you pursue compensation for your injuries. Depending on the specifics of the situation, you may be able to sue the property owner, the driver, or both. Injured in a Bronx storefront crash? Contact Cohan Law, PLLC to discuss your next potential steps during a free consultation. We represent injured pedestrians in the Bronx and throughout all of New York City.

Sources:

 abc7ny.com/post/vehicle-goes-airborne-crashes-side-mcdonalds-he-bronx/19247715/

nypost.com/2026/06/06/us-news/car-plows-through-nyc-mcdonalds-just-feet-from-drive-thru-window/