Pandemic-Related Trend of Outdoor Dining
Businesses throughout the country have been required to adapt to circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns, or else go out of business. A clear example of this adaptation has been the increase in outdoor dining spaces created by restaurants.
Outdoor Dining May Be Here to Stay
Studies have shown that the risk of spreading the virus is increased in indoor spaces, thus the state of California responded by prohibiting indoor dining for several months. Even with the recent easing of restrictions, with some indoor dining now allowed as long as safeguards such as social distancing are followed, some restaurants are unable to accommodate the indoor requirements and have adapted their outdoor space to be useable even in winter – by tenting the area and installing space heaters, for example.
Cases of COVID-19 continue to be confirmed each day. The trend toward outdoor dining, which was once thought to be temporary, is starting to feel like it may become a long-lasting trend. A few streets in midtown Sacramento have essentially been taken over by restaurants’ outdoor dining set-ups, much like a smaller version of Barcelona’s La Rambla district. Eateries in other parts of the city have created outdoor seating areas that spill out onto city streets and parking lots in an attempt to provide as much seating as possible while respecting the mandated six-foot space between parties.
Proximity to Vehicles Presents a Danger
While these adaptations have been successful at keeping many restaurants open by bringing back customers and keeping diners and employees healthy, there are some potential hazards associated with the outdoor dining areas. This is especially true in areas that have not blocked off roadways to accommodate for the outdoor dining spaces, and have not installed bollards or cement planters as safety barriers.
So far this year, a number of accidents involving outdoor dining spaces and vehicles have already occurred. One such accident happened earlier this month in San Jose, California when an elderly driver failed to maintain control of his vehicle and collided with an outdoor dining space. This incident happened at a seafood restaurant called Dynasty Chinese at the Grand Century Plaza. The restaurant had constructed simple fences that designated the boundaries of the outdoor dining area and installed a large tent to cover the diners. No heavy-duty barriers had been added to prevent or mitigate the impact of a crash. The vehicle’s driver and eight other people were injured and taken to the hospital. Sadly, one woman succumbed to her injuries.
San Jose police initially reported that the elderly driver may have been in a state of medical distress just prior to the crash. The driver stated that he had been attempting to park at Grand Century Plaza when he instead accidentally accelerated.
With the proliferation of restaurants creating makeshift outdoor dining rooms near parking lots and streets, safety concerns are increasing. Diners are at an increased risk while in such close proximity to roads and moving vehicles.
Watch the YouTube video: below is a news report on the San Jose accident.
Personal Injury Lawyer – Sacramento, California
Hello, and thank you for stopping by. My name is Ed Smith, and I have been a Sacramento personal injury lawyer for close to 40 years. There are dangers present whenever a vehicle is operated with negligence. If you have suffered injuries because of a careless or negligent driver, you may be able to recover monetary damages. If you have questions regarding a potential personal injury matter and would like to receive my free and friendly advice, call (916) 921-6400 or, if your phone is registered outside the 916 area code, use our toll-free number: (800) 404-5400. Alternatively, you may complete our online form.
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Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/bistro-cafe-restaurant-tables-498504/
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