August 14, 2011, ERIE, PA — A teen on a learner’s permit accidentally drove through the front window of a Pennsylvania state liquor store and injured a customer. The Erie car accident happened yesterday afternoon near 4:40 p.m.
According to Erie police, the 16 year old was with his mother when he attempted to pull into a parking space at 737 East 38th Street (the intersection of East 38th & Parade). The young man apparently panicked and hit the gas instead of the brake, causing his car to hurtle through the plate glass window in front of the Erie store.
A 24 year-old customer in the store during the Erie car crash received injuries to her foot, including cuts from the shattered glass.* She was taken to UPMC-Hamot for treatment and care. It was reported that her injuries were not life-threatening.
Erie police have not yet decided whether or not to press charges against the teen for the Erie car wreck. He could face summary traffic violations including careless driving.
Legal Rights of Pennsylvania Accident Victims
As a legal matter, the injured customer has a right to have her medical bills paid by her own car insurance policy, if she has one. If she does not then the first party benefits on the 16 year-old’s car insurance policy should pay her medical bills. She also has a right to be compensated for any medical bills, lost wages and other inconvenience and suffering. These payments should come from the 16 year-old’s Pennsylvania car insurance liability coverage and, if necessary, from any applicable Pennsylvania underinsured motorist coverage. She may have other rights that would require a more extensive interview and analysis with an Erie auto accident injury lawyer.
Contact a Pennsylvania Accident Lawyer
For more information on Pennsylvania car collisions, visit our car accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free book, “The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice.” We are car accident attorneys in Erie, Pennsylvania who believe in providing free information to the public about car accident injuries and the cases that result from them.
If you’d prefer to simply get your free information right from the source, call today and schedule a free, no strings attached consultation with one of our experienced Erie injury lawyers: toll free at 814-273-2010 or locally at 814-273-2010.
* Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C., P.C. are Pennsylvania injury lawyers who are committed to educating the public about accidents and injuries in Erie County, Crawford County, Warren County and Venango County. Beginning August 1, 2011, Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C., P.C. has determined that names of Pennsylvania car accident victims will generally not be published out of respect for the victim and their family. Pennsylvania accident victim names may be published here in those circumstances where the victim is a public figure or the victim’s identity is important for reasons of story or message.