Spokane law enforcement reports that at the end of February, a driver was extricated from a car after crashing into a house and taken to a hospital for a leg injury. Emergency services and police responded to the accident on 16th Avenue, which occurred early in the morning. The home's occupants were asleep when they heard a vehicle crash through their basement window. The two individuals later saw the vehicle's driver get extricated from his vehicle. The occupants were uninjured, and the car's driver incurred a leg injury. No one faces charges following the crash.

The Storefront Safety Council reports that vehicles crash into buildings 60 times a day in this country, resulting in 4,000 injuries as well as 500 fatalities each year. The organization reports that 22% of vehicle-into-building crashes are due to operator errors. Additionally, the agency reports that pedal error represents 19% of these accidents, drunk driving represents 16%, and medical emergency represents 9%. Accidents involving property damage are often devastating to both the driver as well as the homeowner. In many cases, issues involving both home insurance and motor vehicle insurance arise. To increase the ease with which you navigate these claims, this article reviews some details to remember about accidents of this nature.

Review the Driver's Vehicle Policy

The party responsible for the crash is liable for any damages that occur. As a result, if a vehicle crashes into your home and the crash was the driver's fault, the driver will be found liable for the damages caused to a home.

If the driver who crashed into a property, however, lacked insurance then the property owner could end up owing a lot more than insurance premiums. While some people decide to initiate legal action against the uninsured driver in this situation, a person risks facing court costs as well as no guarantee that the driver will be able to pay for the resulting damage.

Understand the Role of Your Homeowner's Policy

Following these accidents, a person's homeowner's insurance will pay for any damages to a home that surpass the terms of the driver's policy limits. Standard homeowner's policies protect the policyholder for damages to their home as well as any connected structure caused by hazards like fire, wind, and theft as well as the vehicle. 

Your policy might even specifically list vehicles as a type of covered damage. If you do not notice vehicles specifically mentioned in your coverage or you have additional questions about how your policy applies to such a situation, it is a good idea to contact your insurance agent.

Fix the Damage as Soon as Possible

In such a situation, you likely want to repair the damage as soon as possible. In cases in which damage is extensive or involves the structure of a home, you might need to find a new place to temporarily live. You should also make sure to stay out of the house if structural damage has occurred.

Do Not Hesitate to Contact an Experienced Tennessee Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Tennessee car crash, you should not hesitate to speak with a compassionate accident attorney. Contact West Law Office today to speak with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer and so that we can begin fighting for the results that you deserve.