Massachusetts this weekend, when a Toyota jumped a curb and struck a man entering the store.
The Storefront Safety Council has assembled data on more that 7,500 crashes to date and with every month we learn more about the causes of vehicle-into-building accidents and how frequently certain type of businesses are struck. Month after month, coffee stores and restaurants are among the most often struck -- and month after month, Dunkin Donuts appears on the list, all too often involving injuries to patrons and employees. For a link to 2012 statistics, click HERE
Dunkin Donuts, you know how often your stores and those of your franchisees are struck. You cannot pretend that these crashes are rare and unusual. You are on notice that this situation is a persistent unsafe and hazardous condition and you have chosen to not correct this condition. Greater liability awards in cases just like this one in West Bridgewater will be the result. Underwriters and insurance carriers, now you are on notice that higher judgements will result because of the failure on the part of Dunkin Donuts to spend (or specify for franchisees) just a few thousand dollars per store in needed safety equipment. And plaintiff attorneys, you are also on notice -- plenty of admissible evidence exists that should be included in personal injury claims against Dunkin Donuts.