Family Sues Car Wash, Driver After Fatal Accident Claims 14-Year-Old’s Life
The family of a 14-year-old boy who was killed in a car crash outside of an Illinois car wash has filed a personal injury wrongful death lawsuit against the car wash and the father of the 16-year-old driver who allegedly caused the accident. According to the lawsuit, the victim (decedent) was on the sidewalk across from Fuller’s Car Wash when police say a teenage employee got into a car and hit the accelerator instead of the brake. The 16-year-old was driving a Jeep Wrangler. The vehicle sped across two lanes of traffic, hitting the decedent before slamming into a sub shop in downtown Hinsdale in July. According to the plaintiffs, this was the third accident of its kind at that particular business.
An attorney representing the family stated that the car wash knew that this type of accident could happen and took no reasonable steps to avoid it. Police were able to confirm that at least one other such accident occurred at the car wash. In this incident, two vehicles rolled from the car wash a year earlier and T-boned another vehicle. Police cited the 16-year-old driver, but ruled that the crash was an accident.
The plaintiffs say they want the car wash to move to an area with less foot traffic. The plaintiffs are hoping to hold the individuals and entities responsible for the 14-year-old’s tragic death responsible for their negligence.
Is the car wash liable for the accident?
According to the lawsuit, the car wash is liable for the accident for two reasons. Firstly, the teenage driver who accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the gas was an employee of the car wash at the time of the accident. Generally speaking, employers are vicariously liable for the conduct of employees while the employees are performing services for an employer. In this case, however, the plaintiffs are making a second allegation of negligence against the car wash. They claim that since the area gets a lot of foot traffic, the car wash presents an imminent threat of danger to pedestrians in the area. The plaintiffs further allege that the car wash knew about the danger to pedestrians, but did not make any effort to remedy the situation.
Ultimately, the plaintiffs hope to hold the car wash liable for their son’s death. They believe that the car wash presents a hazard to pedestrians and other drivers.
Talk to a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Decatur, IL
Accidents involving pedestrians are often fatal. When fatal accidents occur, the families can file personal injury wrongful death lawsuits against the driver who caused the accident and related entities that contributed negligence. In this case, an Illinois car wash is being blamed for contributing negligence to a fatal accident. Our Decatur personal injury lawyers help grieving families and injured pedestrians recover damages from at-fault drivers and others. Call Patel Law, PC today to schedule an appointment, and learn more about how we can help.
Source:
abc7chicago.com/fullers-hinsdale-sean-richards-fontanos-il/14177680/
