Five people sustained injuries in a San Francisco car accident after a Mercedes SUV crashed into a café in the city's Castro neighborhood. According to a CBS News report, the injury crash occurred the afternoon of June 13, 2010 at the Samovar Tea Lounge near the intersection of 18th and Sanchez streets. Five people were injured. Three declined any treatment while two others were transported to a local hospital. An investigation is ongoing.

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I hope the two individuals who were taken to the hospital did not sustain any major injuries. I pray for their speedy and complete recovery.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 35 deaths and 3,577 injuries involving car accidents in San Francisco.

Accident Causes

Based on this news report, there are more questions than answers here at this point. What caused the SUV to go into the building? Did the driver mistake the gas pedal for the brake? Was the driver under the influence? Was he or she distracted at the time? Was the driver negligent in any other way? I trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine how or why this crash occurred and who caused it.

If it is determined that the driver of the Mercedes SUV caused the accident, he or she could be held liable for the accident, injuries and damages including property damage. In this particular case, it appears that there was significant structural damage to the building. Injured victims in such cases would be able to claim compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, physical therapy and other related damages.

Claim for Compensation

Victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyer, who will carefully examine and analyze all aspects of the accident and make sure that the negligent parties are held accountable. A skilled car accident lawyer who has successfully handled auto product liability cases will also be able to determine whether vehicle defects or mechanical malfunctions caused the accident. If that was the case, the auto maker or manufacturer of the defective product could also be held liable. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free and comprehensive consultation to injured victims and their families.

Have you ever been injured in an accident? What were the challenges you faced in the aftermath of a car accident?

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.