Elderly Roslindale man struck and killed by car on his own porch
Boston, MA – Egidio Dantuony, a 60-year-old Roslindale resident, died after sustaining severe injuries when a silver sedan went off the road and crashed into his porch Sunday afternoon. Another man who happened to be visiting Dantuony at the time was also injured in this rare type of crash, but he is expected to survive. According to local police, the crash remains under investigation and no charges have been filed against the driver as of yet.
The victim was described as a really good guy, a salt-of-the-earth type of fellow. “He would sit on the porch and just say hi to people as they walk by,” a neighbor said.
How do cars end up crashing into buildings?
Accidents where a car crashes into a building are more common than people realize, but in most cases, the vehicles struck restaurants, gas stations, or convenience stores. According to one study, cars crashing into a private home represent just 5% of all vehicle-into-building accidents. Most accidents of this type occur when a driver is trying to get into or out of a parking lot that’s perpendicular to a building.
In many cases, these crashes are caused by a driver’s error (41%), usually a pedal error, like pressing the gas instead of the brake.
Other causes of vehicle-into-building accidents include:
- Losing control of the vehicle (17%0
- Drunk driving (14%)
- Medical emergency (11%)
- Brake failure (6%).
Who is liable for damages in a vehicle-into-building crash?
The driver of the vehicle will be liable for damages if they crash into a building, whether it is a store, a restaurant, or a private residence. You should reach out to an experienced Massachusetts personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. If a driver presses the wrong pedal, that’s unfortunate and they probably mean to do that. However, in the eyes of the law, it still counts as negligence, which is the basis of all personal injury claims. Negligence in such a case is easy to prove, but there are two things you need to be very careful about.
Such claims are usually dealt with through the insurance company representing the driver. If they contact you soon after the crash, you may feel relieved that you’re going to recover your losses quickly. Seasoned lawyers warn their clients they should never accept a quick settlement. The first offer the insurer makes in such a case is always far lower than what the victim truly deserves. Talk to a knowledgeable lawyer to understand how much your claim is worth. You need to include all your financial losses, past and future, and get fair compensation for your pain and suffering.
The other thing you need to keep in mind is that you will need medical records to prove that you were injured in the crash. Do not postpone seeing a doctor. If you wait for a week or two, the insurance adjuster will argue that you definitely weren’t badly injured since you were able to go about your business for that long.
In most cases, it is preferable to let a skilled lawyer negotiate with the insurance company as they have good knowledge of laws and regulations, not to mention legal precedents.
Have you been recently injured in a car accident in the Boston area?
Don’t waste any time and contact a reliable attorney at the Neumann Law Group. Our attorneys have many years of experience in personal injury and wrongful death cases. Through our dedicated representation of car accident victims and their families, we will help you win the damages you are entitled to. To schedule a free initial consultation, call our toll-free number at 800-525-6386.