Apartment Dwellers Face Fires and Vehicle Impacts in San Francisco

According to the statistics, 20% of all residential buildings in San Francisco have multiple units. In other words, a significant portion of the city’s population lives in apartments. While these smaller units are ideal for single people, small families, seniors, and budget-minded individuals, they also pose various risks. As a tenant, you might have very little control over the safety of your own home. With no permission to make safety improvements yourself, you may feel as though your life is in the hands of your landlord. Even apartment owners may be at the mercy of strata corporations. Two recent incidents in the Bay Area show how serious some of these apartment hazards can be. What can you do if you were injured in your San Francisco apartment?

Criminals Crash into Apartment Building During Police Pursuit

In May of 2024, Fox News reported that a group of criminals crashed their vehicle directly into a San Francisco apartment building while fleeing from the police. This incident occurred in the Richmond District, and it left several people traumatized. After carrying out a robbery in the area, the suspects drove away in their vehicle at high speed. The criminals reportedly assaulted a woman and stole her bag before making their escape. Officers in pursuit apparently called off the chase due to concerns about public safety.

However, the suspects did not seem to drive less recklessly once it became clear they were no longer being pursued. In fact, they struck a Mini Cooper at high speed before veering into the side of an apartment building.

One of the people living inside the apartment building said that the impact narrowly missed an elderly individual living in a ground-floor unit. He explained that the vehicle impacted the wall of the senior’s bedroom and that the crash could have been much worse. Residents also stated that they felt the building shake when the vehicle slammed into the wall. The senior was reportedly hospitalized with broken ribs and lacerations. Although this incident was highly traumatic for everyone involved, many are surprised it was not fatal.

Although the suspects fled on foot, they were eventually apprehended. They left several firearms lying around the crash scene, and witnesses say it was a “miracle” that no one was walking across the intersection when the criminals entered the scene. Some say that the incident could have been avoided with better street design, implying that city planners partially contributed to the apartment impact.

Suspicious Fire Breaks Out in Residence of Threatened San Francisco Dog Walker

Authorities are extremely suspicious about a fire that broke out at a San Francisco residence, and there are strong indications that this might have been arson. The residence belonged to a dog walker who had repeatedly been subjected to what authorities call “racist threats.” While the dog walker was out of the house at the time of the fire, his two senior parents were trapped by the blaze. Fortunately, they were extricated by firefighters and rushed to the hospital. Authorities say that while arson could be to blame, clear answers will only come after in-depth investigations.

When are Landlords to Blame for Fires?

San Francisco takes tenant rights seriously. Your landlord has many legal responsibilities, and perhaps one of the most important is to prevent potential fires. The requirements are relatively basic, and they mostly revolve around installing proper fire safety equipment. However, many landlords fail in their duty of care – and innocent people pay the price.

Landlords may be liable for fire-related injuries if they fail to install smoke detectors, sprinklers, extinguishers, and various other fire prevention equipment. Landlords are also responsible for ensuring proper fire exits. Many victims suffer burns after touching excessively hot doorknobs. Sometimes, this traps people inside burning rooms. As a result, landlords should install doors that meet building codes. Generally speaking, doors should open with only one required “action.”

Find an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer in San Francisco

If you were injured as a tenant and you think that your landlord should have addressed the hazard, a personal injury lawsuit might be possible. You may also have the opportunity to sue other parties, such as product manufacturers or wayward motorists. To learn more about your legal options, you might want to get in touch with an experienced personal injury lawyer in San Francisco. Choose Mary Alexander & Associates to begin this important discussion during a consultation. Reach out today to get started.