Home Sustains Structural Damage After Suspected DUI Crash
A home in Sacramento sustained structural damage when a vehicle plowed into it on January 9, 2020, at about 8:00 in the evening. The home is located in the 3100 hundred block of Normington Drive in the Northgate neighborhood. An SUV described only as dark-colored by police hit the corner of the house after crashing through a gate at the property. The SUVs airbags deployed after impact, and the vehicle had damage to its front end. The Sacramento Police Department activity log said that the driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident and was taken into custody. The crash did not result in injuries. Inspectors with the fire department reported that the home did sustain some structural damage due to the accident.
Structural Damage to a Home
In the United States, approximately 60 drivers crash into homes and businesses daily. Some of the drivers are impaired, but many are older individuals who become confused and step on the accelerator instead of the brake. Other drivers are inexperienced. When this type of accident happens, business owners and homeowners are concerned over who will pay for damages to their property.
Who Pays for the Damages
In California, drivers are required to carry property damage liability insurance. This covers another vehicle, home, or business when they are damaged by a negligent driver. The cost of repairing structural damage to a building can be high, and the minimum limit of auto property liability insurance required by the state is $5,000. Many home and business owners’ insurance policies will cover the damage that is not paid for by the driver’s automobile insurance. It is important to read the small print on the policy and confer with a personal injury lawyer.
Drunk Driving
Drunk driving kills about 10,000 people every year. It also destroys property. When a drunk driver crashes into a business or home, your lawyer will be able to use their conviction to show that the person was negligent. This is an important factor in any personal injury case since proving negligence is necessary.
Inadequate Insurance
One problem drivers face is when a negligent motorist is either underinsured or uninsured. In California, this is common, with approximately four million uninsured drivers in the state. In such cases, the injured person wonders who will pay for the medical and other damages they face. California insurance agencies are required to offer all drivers uninsured motorist protection. It is not mandatory that the driver take it. However, when they do, they are covered for damages incurred, whether they are driving, walking, or biking. If the driver chooses not to accept this coverage but another family member living with them has it, the driver is covered under their insurance. If the negligent driver destroys property such as your home, it is best to ask your personal injury lawyer about using homeowners’ insurance.
What an Attorney Can Do to Help
Having the insight an attorney can provide is important after an accident. At our firm, we dispatch our investigators to the scene of the accident. There, they look for clues as to why and how the crash occurred. They question witnesses who saw the accident happen. If possible, our investigative team acquires videos of the accident from traffic surveillance and business or home security cameras. They also review police reports for errors because they are widely used in negotiations with the insurance company and in court. Once all the evidence is amassed, the data is released to our legal team as they build a robust case for our client.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. When your home or business is damaged by a negligent driver, you need to know that you will be able to obtain the compensation you deserve. I can help with that. Just call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. You can also reach out to me online by filling out our convenient contact form.
I’ve helped clients in Sacramento and the surrounding area since 1982 in all varieties of wrongful deaths, traumatic injuries, and car accidents.
I am honored to be a member of the following organizations:
- The Million Dollar Advocates is composed of attorneys who have won more than $1 million for a client.
- The National Association of Distinguished Counsel awards membership to those attorneys who provide unparalleled legal counsel.
Get to know about my practice on the following pages:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/technology-police-car-roof-2500010/
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