Young Driver Accidentally Accelerates Into South-Side Restaurant, Showering Customers in Glass

According to a News4SanAntonio report, a young driver’s pedal error led to a crash into a restaurant on the South Side.¹

Police reported the accident happened at around 2:12 p.m. Monday, October 5th, at the La Torre De Jalisco Mexican Restaurant in the 9500 block of Poteet Jourdanton Freeway near Loop 410 on San Antonio’s South Side.

A young driver was attempting to park when they reportedly hit the accelerator instead of the brake and crashed through a glass window at the front of the restaurant.

Fire officials said the driver may have suffered minor injuries.

Inside, customers reported being showered with glass. None were transported to the hospital.

It was not immediately clear whether the driver would receive a fine or traffic citation.

Did You Know?

According to TxDOT data, 3,182 crashes across Texas in 2024 involved a driver failing to stop at the proper place.²

What Happens If You’re Hurt by a Car Crashing Into a Restaurant?

You’re sitting at a table eating lunch when suddenly a vehicle crashes through the window beside you.

It’s not the kind of accident most people expect to experience inside a restaurant.

But legally, many of the same principles that apply to an ordinary car accident still matter.

If a negligent driver crashes into a restaurant and injures you, you may be able to pursue compensation through the driver’s auto insurance.

Depending on what caused the accident, another person or business could potentially share responsibility as well.

The Driver May Be Responsible for Your Injuries

Pedal errors can happen in seconds.

A driver attempting to park may accidentally press the accelerator instead of the brake, shift into the wrong gear, or otherwise lose control while maneuvering through a parking lot.

Calling something an “accident” doesn’t necessarily mean no one is legally responsible.

Drivers have a duty to maintain reasonable control of their vehicles. If a driving error sends a car through a restaurant window and injures customers inside, the driver may be liable for the resulting harm.

Their auto liability insurance may then become an important source of compensation.

You Don’t Have to Be Hit by the Car to Have a Claim

A vehicle does not have to physically strike you to cause an injury.

When a car crashes through a storefront, people inside may be hurt by:

• Shattered glass
• Falling building materials
• Tables, chairs, or other objects pushed by the impact
• Falls while trying to get away
• Debris thrown through the room

Someone sitting near a window, for example, could suffer serious cuts from flying glass without ever touching the vehicle.

If the crash caused the injury, the lack of direct contact with the car does not necessarily prevent a claim.

Get Medical Care If You Think You Were Injured

The confusion immediately after a crash can make it easy to overlook cuts, bruising, or other symptoms.

Glass injuries can also be more serious than they first appear. Small fragments may remain embedded in the skin, while deeper cuts can damage nerves, tendons, or other tissue.

You do not need to assume every scratch requires emergency treatment. But if you are bleeding, experiencing pain, have glass embedded in your skin, or develop other concerning symptoms, seek appropriate medical care.

Medical records can also document what happened and connect your injuries to the crash if an insurance claim later becomes necessary.

Could the Restaurant Also Be Responsible?

Possibly, but not simply because the crash happened on restaurant property.

If a driver unexpectedly presses the wrong pedal and crashes through a storefront, the restaurant is not automatically responsible for failing to stop the vehicle.

A property owner’s responsibility would depend on whether there was a dangerous condition the owner knew or reasonably should have known about and whether reasonable steps should have been taken to address it.

For example, an investigation might look at whether:

• Vehicles had previously entered the same pedestrian or dining area
• Parking spaces were positioned directly toward heavily occupied areas
• A known hazard had already been reported
• Existing barriers were damaged or inadequate for a known risk

That does not mean every restaurant is required to install barriers capable of stopping a moving vehicle.

It means premises liability depends on the specific facts and whether the danger was reasonably foreseeable.

What Should You Do After a Storefront Crash?

If you are injured when a vehicle crashes into a restaurant or other business, focus on getting to safety first.

Once the immediate danger has passed, it can help to:

• Report your injury to restaurant management
• Obtain appropriate medical care
• Photograph your injuries and where you were sitting
• Get the driver’s insurance information, if available
• Identify witnesses
• Save receipts or other records showing you were at the restaurant
• Keep damaged clothing or personal belongings

Surveillance video may also be especially important.

Restaurants and nearby businesses often have cameras that capture parking lots, entrances, or dining areas. But that footage may be overwritten after a relatively short period.

If someone is seriously injured, preserving that video quickly can help show exactly how the crash occurred.

An Attorney Can Help Determine Whose Insurance Should Pay

Storefront crashes can involve more insurance questions than an ordinary two-car collision.

Depending on the circumstances, potentially relevant coverage could include:

• The driver’s auto liability insurance
• Insurance covering the vehicle itself
• Business or property insurance
• Commercial insurance if the driver was working at the time
• Other policies that may apply to the vehicle or responsible parties

An attorney can investigate who owned the vehicle, what coverage was in effect, whether another party shares responsibility, and which insurance companies should be contacted.

They can also help preserve surveillance footage, gather witness statements, document the injuries, and negotiate with insurers rather than leaving an injured customer to sort through multiple claims alone.

Injured When a Car Crashed Into a Business? Call Shaw.

A storefront accident can involve more than just the driver who lost control. Determining who is responsible may require reviewing surveillance footage, vehicle ownership, insurance policies, property conditions, and other evidence.

If you were injured when a negligent driver crashed into a restaurant, store, or other business, you could be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical Expenses
• Lost Wages
• Pain and Suffering
• Future Medical Treatment
• Property Damage
• Other Accident-Related Losses
• And More

We’ll help you find out for free.

Call Shaw today at 800-862-1260 to learn more about your legal options. There are no fees, no obligations, and no pressure—just straightforward legal guidance when you need it most.

We look forward to serving you.

 

 

Sources

¹News4SanAntonio Report

²TxDOT Crash Contributing Factors 2024