Oz Ledesma, Benjamin Injured In Hayward Collision After Person Drove Into Trader Joe’s —> GoFundMe Created To Support Victims
HAYWARD, CALIFORNIA (September 29, 2022) – A father and son from East Bay identified as Oz Ledesma and Benjamin were injured when a person drove into a Hayward Trader Joe’s.
Alameda County officials are saying that the collision took place around 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. An 88-year-old man drove his Toyota into the Trader Joe’s.
The Toyota went through the entrance and ended up at the checkout lanes. In all, 8 people were injured in the crash including Oz Ledesma and his son Benjamin.
Police interviewed the elderly driver involved in the crash who remained at the scene. Paramedics were called to the scene to help all of the victims.
Four people were hospitalized. Oz Ledesma suffered a severe ankle sprain and a fractured knee. His son Benjamin suffered a broken hip and injuries to his left shoulder and pelvis. You can help support these two victims through GoFundMe.
Liability In Hayward Car Accidents
Car accidents involving vehicles that drive into storefronts may seem like freak occurrences, but they are actually extremely common. According to one report from Slate, at least 100 American drivers veer into buildings every day. An estimated 16,000 people are injured in these accidents yearly and over 2,500 are killed. There are a number of factors that could contribute to any accident where a person drives into a building.
- Elderly drivers are statistically the most likely to be involved in storefront collisions. It is common for elderly drivers to experience “pedal confusion” and mistake the gas for the brakes.
- Many storefront collisions are due to drivers that are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Driver distraction is also another major contributing factor for storefront collisions.
All drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care in order to avoid any collision. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 21950, the driver of any vehicle shall reduce the speed of their vehicle to avoid hitting any pedestrian. If a driver fails to reduce their speed and hits a pedestrian, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
Depending on the facts of any case, a property owner like Trader Joe’s could potentially be liable for a car accident involving an errant vehicle going into their store. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 1714, the owner of a property has a legal responsibility to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. While accidents involving drivers that go into stores may seem unpredictable, there are actually ways that these collisions can be prevented.
Bollard posts are sturdy metal or concrete barriers that are extremely effective at preventing cars from entering storefronts or other areas where pedestrians travel. When there is a history of close calls with pedestrians, a business may need to install bollard posts. Failure to install these protective barriers could create liability for a property owner. Victims of storefront collisions tend to suffer very serious and costly injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Lacerations
- Organ damage
Even after the physical injuries of an accident heal, survivors are often left with long term psychological injuries. Any person that is injured in a car accident may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. A personal injury attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Hayward Car Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our best wishes to Oz Ledesma, Benjamin and all of the victims of this accident. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to prevent other accidents like this. It has been well-known for a long time that drivers over 85-years of age and older have some of the highest accident rates. Local and state regulators should at least consider measures that balance public safety and the autonomy of very elderly drivers.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Hayward car accident? Our team of pedestrian safety advocates are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support after an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
