Car Crash Into Building in California: What the Santa Fe Springs Restaurant Crash Means for Injured Victims
By Oaks Law Firm | Responsible Attorney: Matthew Nezhad | 15233 Ventura Blvd, 5th Floor, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 | (877) 539-5366 | Published: October 6, 2026
A car crashed into a restaurant in Santa Fe Springs on Monday afternoon, killing one person and injuring two others. Our thoughts are with everyone affected, including the families, the restaurant’s staff and customers, and the first responders.
A car crash into a building in California raises legal questions that differ from a typical collision between two vehicles. The people hurt may be diners, employees, pedestrians, or occupants of the car itself. This article explains what is known about the Santa Fe Springs crash and how California law approaches injury claims after a vehicle strikes a business.
What happened in the Santa Fe Springs restaurant crash?
According to KTLA, Los Angeles County Fire received a call at about 2:24 p.m. on Monday, October 5, reporting that a vehicle had crashed into Michael’s Super Burgers in the 11500 block of East Slauson Avenue. Aerial footage showed the car partially inside the building with heavy front-end damage.
One person was pronounced dead at the scene, and two others were taken to a hospital. The intersection was partially blocked while crews responded.
Many details have not been confirmed:
- Whether the victims were inside the restaurant or in the vehicle
- The condition of the driver
- Whether drugs or alcohol played any role
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and no conclusions should be drawn until authorities release their findings.
What causes cars to crash into buildings?
Vehicle-into-building crashes, sometimes called storefront crashes, can happen for many reasons. Common factors include:
- Pressing the accelerator instead of the brake while parking
- Speeding or losing control on an adjacent roadway
- Distracted or impaired driving
- A sudden medical emergency behind the wheel
- A mechanical failure, such as brake problems
- A collision with another vehicle that pushes one car off the road
Restaurants and shops along busy commercial corridors like Slauson Avenue often sit close to traffic lanes and parking areas. That leaves little distance for a driver to recover if something goes wrong.
Who can be held liable when a car crashes into a building in California?
Liability depends entirely on the facts. Depending on what an investigation shows, potentially responsible parties may include the following.
The driver. Most claims begin with the driver’s conduct. Under California’s negligence principles, a driver who fails to use reasonable care, for example by speeding, driving distracted, or confusing the pedals, may be responsible for the harm that results.
When a driver claims a sudden medical emergency, California courts have generally held that the driver is not automatically liable for a loss of consciousness they had no reason to anticipate. A driver who knew of a condition that made driving unsafe may still be held responsible. The California Supreme Court addressed this in Hammontree v. Jenner (1971).
Another driver. If a second vehicle caused the chain of events, that driver may share responsibility. California’s comparative fault rules allow responsibility to be divided among multiple parties.
A vehicle or parts manufacturer. If a defect, such as a brake or acceleration failure, contributed to the crash, a product liability claim may be possible.
The property owner or business. In some situations, injured people have argued that a property owner should have anticipated the risk of vehicles leaving the roadway or parking area and taken steps to reduce it. Whether a property owner had any such duty is a highly fact-specific question that depends on the property’s layout and history. Learn more on our premises liability page.
A public entity. If a dangerous condition of a public road contributed to the crash, a claim against a government entity may be possible. These claims have strict and short deadlines, explained below.
What if I was working at the restaurant when the car crashed?
Employees injured on the job in California are generally covered by workers’ compensation, which is usually the exclusive remedy against the employer. California law also allows injured workers to pursue a separate claim against a third party whose negligence caused the injury, such as the driver who crashed into the building. Coordinating a workers’ compensation claim with a third-party injury claim can be complex.
Our workplace accidents page explains more.
What rights do families have after a fatal crash into a business?
When someone dies because of another person’s negligence, California’s wrongful death statute, Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60, allows certain close family members to bring a claim. These may include a spouse, domestic partner, or children, and in some circumstances others who depended on the person who died.
A wrongful death claim can seek compensation for losses such as funeral and burial expenses and the loss of the person’s love, companionship, and financial support. Visit our wrongful death page to learn more.
What should I do if I was hurt when a car crashed into a building?
If you were injured as a customer, employee, or passerby, these steps can help protect your health and your rights:
- Get medical care and follow your treatment plan, even if your injuries seem minor at first.
- Request the incident or police report number from the responding agency.
- Preserve evidence, including photos, receipts showing you were present, and the names of witnesses.
- Ask that surveillance footage be preserved. Footage from the business and nearby properties can be overwritten quickly.
- Be cautious with insurance adjusters. Avoid giving recorded statements before understanding your rights.
Our guides on documenting injuries after a car accident and dealing with car insurance companies offer additional guidance.
How long do I have to file a claim after a car crashes into a building in California?
The general statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death claims in California is two years from the date of injury under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1.
There are important exceptions. If a government entity may share responsibility, such as for a dangerous road condition, a formal written claim must generally be presented within six months of the incident under Government Code § 911.2. That claim must come before any lawsuit can be filed.
Evidence can also be lost long before any deadline arrives. Confirm your specific deadline with a licensed California attorney as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays when a car crashes into a restaurant in California?
Claims usually begin with the at-fault driver’s auto liability insurance. Depending on the facts, other parties, including another driver, a manufacturer, a property owner, or a public entity, may also bear responsibility.
Can a driver avoid liability by claiming a medical emergency?
Not automatically. California courts look at whether the emergency was sudden and unforeseeable. A driver who knew of a condition that made driving unsafe may still be held responsible.
Can a restaurant employee sue the driver who crashed into the building?
Generally, yes. Workers’ compensation usually covers injured employees, but California law also allows a separate claim against a negligent third party such as the driver.
Who can file a wrongful death claim after a fatal crash?
California law allows certain close family members, such as a spouse, domestic partner, or children, and in some cases others, to bring a wrongful death claim.
Talk With Oaks Law Firm About a Car Crash Into a Building
If you or a loved one was hurt, or a family member was killed, when a vehicle crashed into a restaurant, store, or other building in Southern California, Oaks Law Firm is available to discuss your situation. We serve clients in Santa Fe Springs, Whittier, Norwalk, and throughout Los Angeles County.
Call (877) 539-5366 or request a case evaluation to talk about your specific circumstances. You can also learn more about our car accident and fatal car accident practice.
About the Responsible Attorney
Matthew Nezhad is a California-licensed attorney who founded Oaks Law Firm in 2002. His practice focuses on representing people injured in car accidents and other personal injury matters throughout California.
Oaks Law Firm | Responsible Attorney: Matthew Nezhad | 15233 Ventura Blvd, 5th Floor, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 | (877) 539-5366
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information presented may not reflect the most current legal developments and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with a licensed attorney. Every personal injury case involves unique facts and circumstances, and the outcome of any case depends entirely on those specific facts. Any results, settlement amounts, or verdicts referenced in this content are specific to the individual cases described, are not typical, and do not guarantee, promise, or predict a similar outcome in your case. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship with Oaks Law Firm. Contact us directly for a consultation specific to your situation.
