Rancho Mirage Applebee’s Diners Get a Surprise When SUV Crashes into the Restaurant

At around 12:30 p.m. on August 6, 2015, an SUV crashed into the local Rancho Mirage Applebee’s restaurant at the height of the lunch hour. Luckily, no diners were injured as the SUV crashed through a wall that contained only unoccupied tables, according to police and as reported in The Desert Sun.

Deputy Armando Munoz reported that the driver of the SUV lost control of the vehicle and crashed through the wall of the Applebee’s in Rancho Mirage located at 71-740 Highway 111. The Riverside County Fire Department was called to the scene, but no one was injured in the incident. Munoz also reported that no drugs or alcohol were related to the crash.

This was a lucky break for the driver of the SUV. If the tables where the driver crashed through the restaurant had been occupied by diners, this accident could have had a tragic end with several fatalities or at least serious injuries. As it stands, Applebee’s sustained damage due to the SUV crash.

This kind of accident is considered a freak accident because they seldom occur. If individuals had been injured or killed, the driver would be responsible for the injuries, wrongful death, and/or damages incurred. This would have likely sparked a number of lawsuits with multiple plaintiffs.

Another scenario could be that the driver lost control because of a vehicular defect. If that was the case, it could fall under the category of product defect law, which is an offshoot of personal injury/tort law.

It’s fortunate that no one was injured or killed, but the driver of the SUV will likely suffer with some anxiety over it and there will be damages to pay to Applebee’s unless there are extenuating circumstances. Only an attorney can help with advice in these kinds of cases.

If you have been involved in a car accident or suffered injury or damages due to a defective product, you may have monetary compensation due you. Rizio Lipinsky Heiting offers free initial consultations for you or anyone you know that might need legal advice regarding personal injuries and damages.