Illinois Storefront Crash Injury Lawyers

Top-Rated Attorneys for People Injured When a Car Crashes into a Store

Illinois residents visit storefronts and restaurants every day, whether grabbing a coffee, dining out with family, or shopping in a local retail center. While most visits are uneventful, a significant number of serious injuries occur because of negligence from vehicles crashing through storefronts. Victims of these incidents face devastating injuries, mounting medical bills, lost income, and lasting emotional trauma.

At John J. Malm & Associates, our Illinois premises liability attorneys know the complexities handling vehicle-into-storefront injury cases throughout Illinois, where the legal issues are far more complex than a typical car accident claim. These cases demand immediate investigation, preservation of surveillance footage, analysis of parking lot design, and evaluation of whether the business failed to install protective barriers such as bollards or reinforced entry systems. We understand how to hold negligent drivers accountable while also examining whether property owners ignored foreseeable risks that put the public in harm’s way. If you or a loved one has been injured in a storefront crash, you need a legal team that knows how to uncover every responsible party and aggressively pursue the full compensation you deserve.

“Businesses and property owners in Illinois have a legal obligation to protect their customers from foreseeable danger. When that duty is breached, whether through a vehicle crashing into the storefront or through negligent design and construction, victims deserve justice and full financial recovery. Early investigation and evidence preservation are crucial in these complex cases.” — John J. Malm, Naperville premises liability attorney

What Are Storefront Crashes?

A storefront crash refers to a type of accident where a vehicle loses control and collides with the exterior structure of a commercial property, such as a restaurant, retail store, or shopping center entrance. These crashes often happen near parking lots, building entrances, or outdoor dining areas. They can result in catastrophic injuries or even fatalities to patrons, pedestrians, employees, and bystanders.

Nationwide data suggests that vehicles crash into buildings over 20 times per day, resulting in more than 4,000 injuries and roughly 500 fatalities annually. This equates to tens of thousands of dollars in combined medical and property damage costs each year.

More specific research looking at thousands of documented incidents indicates that at a minimum, hundreds of storefront crashes occur yearly at specific chains alone, highlighting the frequency of these events and the inherent danger to the public without proper safety measures.

Most of these accidents are not random freak events, rather, they can be traced to driver error, parking design failures, lack of protective barriers, or a combination of these factors.

Examples of Storefront Crashes in Illinois

Across Illinois, vehicle-into-building crashes have occurred with unsettling regularity, from suburban shopping districts to downtown commercial strips. These incidents reveal that no part of the state is immune to the danger of vehicles breaching storefronts and injuring customers, employees, and bystanders.

One of the most tragic recent incidents happened in Oswego, Illinois, when a vehicle crashed into a Portillo’s restaurant earlier in 2025. According to authorities, the crash occurred around 1:55 p.m., and the impact was catastrophic: a 2-year-old child was killed, and 14 other people were injured, with several rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. The driver was also hospitalized as part of the ongoing investigation.

In Chatham, Illinois, a horrific crash in April 2025 involved a vehicle plowing into a building used by an after-school program. In that incident, four people, including children, were killed, and multiple others were injured when the car entered the structure and struck individuals inside and outside the facility.

Smaller but still significant crashes have occurred throughout the state as well:

• In Geneva, a car accidentally entered the front of the American Science & Surplus store after the driver mistakenly shifted into drive. While no injuries were reported in that crash, the incident caused notable damage to the storefront structure and merchandise inside.
• A vehicle crashed into a downtown Marengo storefront in April 2025, causing moderate structural damage while fortunately resulting in no injuries.
• In Woodstock, a car drove through the front of a commercial strip mall business, damaging the entrance and facade. No one was injured in that crash, but the incident required evaluation by the city’s building department to ensure structural safety.
• In Rockford, a vehicle collided with a dog grooming business, leaving glass and debris scattered and prompting an ongoing investigation into possible injuries at the scene.

Taken together, these incidents demonstrate a troubling pattern of vehicle intrusions into commercial spaces across Illinois. Even when injuries are avoided, the risk to patrons and employees is real and recurring, and in tragic cases, the consequences are life-altering or fatal.

How Storefront Crashes Happen

Several common factors contribute to storefront crashes in Illinois:

Pedal Misapplication

Drivers accidentally pressing the accelerator instead of the brake, especially in crowded parking areas, is a leading cause of vehicle-into-building incidents.

Poor Parking Lot and Entrance Design

A lack of bollards, barriers, curbs, or other protections between vehicles and pedestrian areas increases the risk of cars entering walkways or indoor spaces. Failure to design parking lots to minimize crash impacts can make a property owner liable.

Distraction and Impairment

Distracted driving, cell phone use, and intoxication contribute to loss of vehicle control near storefronts.

Inclines or Slopes Toward the Building

Parking lot design that slopes toward a building instead of away from it can increase the momentum and severity of a crash. Without barriers or proper grading, a low-speed mistake can become deadly.

Typical Injuries from Storefront Crashes

When a vehicle crashes through a storefront, the types of injuries sustained can be severe and life-altering. Common injuries include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord damage or paralysis
• Crush injuries to limbs or torso
• Severe fractures and broken bones
• Lacerations from glass and debris
• Internal organ damage
• Wrongful death in fatal cases

Victims often require emergency surgery, long rehabilitation periods, and long-term care.

Legal Duties and Proof of Negligence in Illinois

To prevail in a premises liability case in Illinois, an injured patron must generally show the following elements:

1. Duty of Care: The restaurant or property owner owed the visitor a duty to maintain safe conditions.
2. Breach of Duty: The defendant failed to uphold that duty (e.g., failing to install barriers, neglecting known hazards, etc.).
3. Causation: The unsafe condition or omission directly caused the injury.
4. Damages: The victim suffered measurable harm, such as medical expenses or lost wages, as a direct result.

In vehicle-into-building cases, liability can extend beyond the driver to include the property owner if the risk of vehicle intrusion was foreseeable and safety measures were not implemented. Recent Illinois appellate court decisions confirm that a business can owe a duty to protect its patrons against foreseeable vehicle crashes, not just hazards created by existing conditions on the premises.

Who Can Be Held Responsible?

In Illinois, multiple parties can share liability in a premises injury or storefront crash case:

• Negligent Driver: The individual who lost control of the vehicle.
• Restaurant or Business Owner: If they failed to maintain safe premises or install necessary precautions.
• Property Owner or Landlord: Especially if common areas or structural issues contributed to the hazard.

Identifying all possible liable parties is critical because some may have deeper insurance coverage than others.

Compensation You May Be Entitled To

If negligence caused your injury, you may be able to recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses: Emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation
• Lost wages: Income lost due to missed work or reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering: Emotional and physical distress
• Disfigurement or disability: Compensation for lasting impairment
• Loss of enjoyment of life: When injuries prevent participation in activities
• Wrongful death damages: In fatal cases, families may pursue compensation for funeral expenses and loss of support

Practical Steps To Take After a Storefront Crash

If you or a loved one are injured inside a restaurant or from a vehicle crashing into a storefront:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Care: Your health and safety come first.
2. Document the Scene: Take photos of hazards, vehicle positions, and injuries if possible.
3. Obtain Witness Information: Contact information from observers can be crucial.
4. Preserve Evidence: Save clothing, receipts, and any physical evidence.
5. Report the Incident: Notify property management or emergency responders.
6. Contact an Experienced Illinois Premises Liability Attorney: Early involvement preserves key evidence and strengthens your claim.

Frequently Asked Questions about Storefront Crashes

Q: Can I sue if a car crashes into a restaurant and injures me?
A: Yes. If the driver was negligent and/or the restaurant/property owner failed to provide adequate safety measures, you may have a personal injury or premises liability claim.

Q: What is Illinois’ statute of limitations for these cases?
A: Generally, personal injury and premises liability claims must be filed within two years of the injury. Exceptions apply in certain circumstances.

Q: How long does it take to resolve a premises injury case?
A: Case duration varies widely based on complexity, evidence collection, and negotiations or trial dates. Many cases take several months to a few years.

Contact the Experienced Illinois Storefront Crash Injury Lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates

Storefront crashes and restaurant injury premises cases present unique legal challenges in Illinois,  from identifying all responsible parties to understanding how property design and maintenance contribute to hazards. Whether your injuries were caused by a vehicle crashing through a storefront or by unsafe conditions inside a restaurant or its surroundings, you shouldn’t have to shoulder the financial and emotional burdens alone.

The legal system recognizes the rights of injured victims, and you deserve full and fair compensation for your losses. Our experienced Illinois restaurant and store injury attorneys understand Illinois premises liability law, know how to gather evidence promptly, and have a track record of holding negligent parties accountable.

Contact John J. Malm & Associates today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will listen to your story, evaluate your case, and help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve. Your recovery is our priority.