Updated on: 11/22/2019
Three people were injured Wednesday morning when an SUV crashed into an apartment building in Kirkland, according to police. The incident occurred at 200 block of 5th Avenue just before noon.
Police say the driver of the SUV was attempting to park when he accelerated through the first floor of the building, pinning a man to the couch under the SUV. The man pinned was the passenger’s husband. The driver was a family friend.
The two people in the car suffered minor injuries and were transported to Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland. The man pinned by the SUV was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
The crash left one apartment unit severely damaged while four others were off limits due to structural damage.
Image: City of Kirkland
Looking At Potential Liability Issues
When a vehicle crashes into an apartment or house, the liability issues involved are like those in a multiple vehicle collision. While the driver of the car that crashed into the building may be facing criminal charges and could be on the hook for the property damage, they may also face civil penalties in the form of a personal injury lawsuit if anyone was injured in the crash.
Civil lawsuits are held to a lower standard of evidence than criminal cases, which means that even if a driver is found not guilty in criminal court, he or she can still be found liable for damages in civil court.
The people injured in the above crash were fortunate enough to survive this particular car accident, but the road ahead can prove to be financially and emotionally difficult. If you or a loved one has been injured by a driver that crashed into an apartment, house or business, it may be in your best interest to consult with a personal injury attorney to discuss filing a claim against the at-fault person’s insurance company. Even if the person that caused the accident was a friend or family member, a claim for damages can be filed.
The personal injury attorneys at Davis Law Group, P.S., have developed a strong reputation throughout Washington State for providing tireless legal advocacy services. If you or your family has been affected by a vehicle-into-building collision, we encourage you to learn about your legal rights and options for recourse during a free case evaluation at our law firm.
Call (206) 727-4000, use the chat feature below or fill out the contact form on this page to get started.
