Enhancing Storefront Safety

The Importance of Protecting your Business from Vehicle Crashes

Each year, thousands of businesses across North America experience incidents of vehicles crashing into buildings, leading to extensive damages, injuries, and even fatalities. While many business owners prioritize security measures like alarms and surveillance cameras, the immediate threat often comes from the roads just outside their doors. Without proper protection, a single accidental press of the gas pedal instead of the brake can lead to catastrophic consequences.

Despite the alarming frequency of incidents, storefront safety remains an overlooked aspect of business protection. Many establishments remain vulnerable, unaware that a simple misstep from a driver could mean the difference between a normal day and a life-threatening disaster. This article explores the widespread issue of storefront crashes, their financial and legal implications, and how businesses can effectively mitigate risks through protective solutions like safety bollards.

The Rising Threat of Storefront Crashes

Many people are surprised to learn just how frequently storefront crashes happen. According to the Storefront Safety Council, there are more than 100 crashes into storefronts each day in the United States alone, leading to over 16,000 injuries and more than 2,600 deaths annually.

Common Causes of Storefront Crashes

Storefront crashes occur for various reasons, but some patterns emerge when examining accident reports. The leading causes include:

• Driver Error: Some storefront crashes are the result of pedal confusion, where a driver mistakenly presses the accelerator instead of the brake. This is particularly common in elderly drivers, who account for a disproportionate number of pedal-misapplication crashes.
• Distracted Driving: Activities such as texting, eating, reaching for objects, or adjusting in-car entertainment can cause a driver to lose focus, leading to an unintentional acceleration into a storefront.
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Medical Emergencies: Impaired or incapacitated drivers, whether due to alcohol, drugs, or medical conditions such as seizures or heart attacks, pose a significant threat to storefronts and pedestrian zones.
• Poor Parking Lot Design: Many parking lots lack proper safety measures, such as bollards or wheel stops, allowing vehicles to roll forward into pedestrian walkways or buildings.
• Reckless Driving & Speeding: In some cases, high-speed reckless driving leads to cars crashing through storefronts, especially in urban areas where speeding is prevalent.
• The “Intentional Attack” Factor: Deliberate vehicle-into-building attacks occur in cases of vandalism, robbery attempts, or even terrorist-related incidents.

These accidents are not limited to any single industry. Businesses most at risk include:

• Convenience stores & gas stations – Due to 24-hour operations and high foot traffic.
• Fast food restaurants & coffee shops – Drive-thrus and front-facing parking create exposure.
• Retail stores & malls – High visibility locations often have inadequate vehicle barriers.
• Medical offices & pharmacies – Patients and elderly customers are particularly vulnerable.
• Schools & daycare centers – Protecting children from vehicle threats is critical.

The Cost of Storefront Crashes for Businesses

Beyond the immediate damage to property, storefront crashes create a ripple effect of financial, operational, and legal challenges. Many business owners underestimate the potential long-term consequences.

Business Downtime and Revenue Loss

A single storefront crash can force a business to shut down for days, weeks, or even months while repairs are made. This downtime results in:

• Direct loss of revenue due to closed operations.
• Negative customer perception, leading to lost clientele.
• Delays in reopening caused by insurance claims, permit approvals, and contractor availability.

A recent survey of small businesses was conducted by TD Insurance. The Survey highlighted that 1 in 5 small businesses would see a temporary shutdown as one of their greatest liabilities.

Property Damage Costs

Even a low-speed impact can cause damage running into tens of thousands of dollars, including:

• Glass storefronts—Shattered on impact, requiring full replacements.
• Structural damage—Walls, support beams, and entryways may be compromised.
• Fixtures & inventory loss—Shelving, merchandise, seating, and equipment are often destroyed.

Legal Liability and Insurance Complications

Businesses that fail to implement storefront protection may be held liable for injuries sustained by employees, customers, or pedestrians. If a court determines that the business did not take reasonable precautions, lawsuits can result in:

• Medical expense settlements for injured victims.
• Higher insurance premiums or outright policy cancellations.
• Reputational damage, impacting future customer trust.

One of the most well-known examples of this relates to incident from 2017 when a Chicago man become a double amputee after being hit by a vehicle in front of a 7-Eleven. In 2023, 7-Eleven was ordered to pay the man a whopping $91 million settlement.

Strengthening Storefront Safety with the Right Solutions

Storefront protection should be a fundamental part of any business’s safety strategy. While security cameras and alarms help deter crime, they do little to prevent one of the most common and devastating threats—vehicle crashes. Properly placed physical barriers, like storefront safety bollards, offer a proactive solution to keep people and property safe. Some of the key benefits of installing crash-rated bollards include:

• Preventing vehicles from breaching storefronts – Crash-rated bollards are designed to withstand impact and prevent vehicles from penetration exterior walls and glass.
• Protecting employees and customers – Bollards create a physical barrier between traffic and pedestrian zones.
• Minimizing property damage – Safety bollards reduce repair costs by preventing direct impact.
• Enhancing visual deterrence – Bollards create a visual reminder for drivers to slow down and pay attention when parking.

Unlike concrete curbs or wheel stops, which do not stop moving vehicles, properly installed bollards provide true protection by meeting industry safety standards like ASTM F3016.

Reliance Foundry’s new Vector Series bollards are designed to meet the growing need for low-speed impact protection in pedestrian-friendly areas. Tested to ASTM F3016 standards, these bollards provide a reliable defense against accidental crashes without compromising the look of a storefront. With options to suit different design aesthetics and installation needs, they help businesses reinforce their safety measures while maintaining an inviting exterior.

Taking steps to protect storefronts isn’t just about safeguarding buildings—it’s about prioritizing the well-being of employees, customers, and pedestrians. By integrating effective safety solutions, businesses can reduce risks, prevent costly damage, and create a safer environment for all.

F-3016