An elderly driver reportedly lost control of his vehicle and then barreled into a Burger King around 3PM Monday afternoon in Center City, Philadelphia. Seven people were injured, including two seriously.
The red sedan veered onto the sidewalk on Eighth Street just south of Market Street and plowed into the fast-food restaurant around 3 p.m., police said. The sedan was traveling south on Eighth when it suddenly smashed through the brick and glass exterior and into patrons seated in the dining area. Eyewitness, Jesse Pfeffer, said that "It sounded like he gunned the engine too hard. He hit the building pretty hard to go through that brick wall."
The injured persons were taken to Center City hospitals. Police are investigating the cause of the crash however the driver has not been charged.
Source: Posted on Mon, Jul. 25, 2011
Source: WPVI Posted on July 25, 2011
Sometimes accidents occur where you least expect them. Undoubtedly, the patrons at Burger King did not expect a vehicle to come through the window while they feasted on a juicy Big Mac!
This accident was caused by the negligence of an elderly driver. Research on age-related driving has shown that at around the age of 65 drivers face an increased risk of being involved in a vehicle crash. Three behavioral factors in particular may contribute to these statistics: poor judgment in making left-hand turns; drifting within the traffic lane; and decreased ability to change behavior in response to an unexpected or rapidly changing situation. In this accident, it appears that the driver may have confused the break and the gas pedal and he was unable to adjust before crashing into the Burger King.
In the next 20 years, the number of elderly drivers (persons 70 & over) is predicted to triple in the United States. As age increases, older drivers tend to become more conservative on the road. Many mature drivers modify their driving habits (such as avoiding rush hours and heavily travelled roads) to match their declining capabilities. However, statistics show that older drivers are more likely than younger ones to be involved in multi-vehicle crashes, particularly at intersections.
Pennsylvania has a physician's reporting law, requiring physicians to report disabilities that may affect driving ability. Many physicians, however, are reluctant to jeopardize their relationship with a patient by making such a referral. The elderly equate losing their driving privileges with being dependent, and losing choice and control of their life. Thus, too often physicians fail to report elderly patients who should have their driving privileges revoked due to physical limitations and disabilities.
If you have been injured due to a negligent driver, call me at 267-443-8487 for a free consultation.
