Six people sustained injuries Friday morning when a driver crashed her SUV through the front entrance of Oliver’s Market on Montecito Boulevard, according to the Santa Rosa Police Department. The shocking incident sent shoppers and employees scrambling for safety as the vehicle plowed through the store’s entrance, striking individuals in the checkout area. First responders transported the injured victims to local hospitals for treatment, though the severity of their injuries has not been disclosed. The market crash caused significant structural damage to the store’s front facade and forced an immediate evacuation of the popular grocery market.
Details of the Oliver’s Market Crash
The collision occurred at approximately 11:49 a.m. on February 13, 2026, at the Oliver’s Market location at 560 Montecito Boulevard in Santa Rosa. According to police reports, a woman driving a maroon Hyundai Tucson SUV crashed into the checkstand area of the grocery store, striking multiple people inside.
Emergency responders arrived quickly at the scene to provide medical assistance to the injured parties and secure the area. The exact conditions of the six injured individuals have not been publicly disclosed at this time.
The Santa Rosa Police Department is conducting a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Investigators are working to determine what caused the driver to lose control of her vehicle and crash into the busy grocery store during the late-morning shopping hours. Authorities will examine factors, including whether the driver experienced a medical emergency, mechanical failure with the vehicle, or driver error, that contributed to the incident.
The investigation will also include reviewing any available surveillance footage from the store’s security cameras, interviewing witnesses who were present at the time of the crash, and analyzing physical evidence from the scene. Building inspectors were also called to assess the structural integrity of the store’s entrance and determine when it will be safe to reopen for business.
Understanding Pedal Error Accidents in California
Vehicle-into-building crashes often result from pedal error, where drivers inadvertently press the accelerator instead of the brake. These incidents can occur for several reasons:
Common Contributing Factors:
- Driver distraction or inattention
- Confusion between the gas and brake pedals
- Medical emergencies while driving
- Mechanical failure or defects
- Panic responses that cause drivers to press harder on the wrong pedal
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), pedal error accidents account for thousands of crashes annually, with a significant percentage occurring in parking lots and near building entrances where drivers are maneuvering at lower speeds.
California Vehicle Code Section 22350 requires drivers to operate vehicles at safe speeds appropriate for conditions, and drivers who crash into buildings may face liability for negligence if their actions caused injuries to others.
Pedal misapplication accidents are particularly common among older drivers and those who are unfamiliar with a vehicle, though they can happen to anyone regardless of age or driving experience. Research shows that these incidents often occur during routine maneuvers such as parking, pulling into or out of parking spaces, or navigating drive-through lanes.
When a driver mistakenly presses the accelerator instead of the brake, the unexpected acceleration can trigger a panic response, causing them to press even harder on what they believe is the brake pedal. This creates a dangerous cycle in which the vehicle accelerates rapidly, and the driver feels unable to stop.
Modern vehicles equipped with automatic emergency braking systems and other advanced safety features can help prevent or mitigate some pedal error accidents, but these technologies are not foolproof and cannot prevent all such incidents. Understanding how these accidents occur is crucial for determining liability and pursuing compensation for injured victims.
Injuries Common in Market Crash Accidents
When a vehicle crashes into a building where people are present, victims can suffer a wide range of serious injuries. These injuries typically include traumatic brain injuries from being struck or thrown by the vehicle’s impact, broken bones and fractures from the force of collision, spinal cord injuries and back trauma that can result in paralysis or chronic pain, internal organ damage that may not be immediately apparent, lacerations and soft tissue injuries from broken glass and debris.
Likewise, crush injuries when victims become pinned between the vehicle and store fixtures, and psychological trauma, including PTSD, can persist long after physical wounds heal. Customers and employees in grocery stores have no reason to expect a vehicle to crash through the entrance, making these accidents particularly devastating. Victims are often struck without warning and may be trapped between the vehicle and store fixtures.
The severity of injuries in vehicle-into-building accidents often depends on several factors, including the speed of the vehicle at impact, where victims were positioned relative to the vehicle’s path, and whether they had any warning or opportunity to move out of harm’s way. Unlike traditional traffic accidents, where occupants have some protection from vehicle safety features like airbags and seatbelts, pedestrians and customers inside stores are completely vulnerable to the full force of impact.
The confined space of a grocery store means that victims may be thrown into shelving units, checkout counters, or other hard surfaces, compounding their injuries. Additionally, falling merchandise, breaking glass, and structural damage can create secondary hazards that cause additional harm.
Many victims require extensive emergency medical treatment, multiple surgeries, lengthy hospital stays, and ongoing rehabilitation therapy. Some may face permanent disabilities that affect their ability to work and enjoy their normal quality of life, making comprehensive legal representation essential for securing adequate compensation.
Legal Rights of Grocery Store Crash Victims
If you or a loved one was injured in the Oliver’s Market crash or a similar incident, California law provides important protections:
You May Be Entitled to Compensation For:
- All medical expenses (emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation)
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
California operates under a fault-based system for vehicle accidents, meaning the at-fault driver’s insurance company is responsible for compensating injured victims. In cases where multiple parties were injured, the driver’s policy limits may become a critical factor in full recovery.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
Determining liability in vehicle-into-building crashes involves examining multiple potential factors:
Potentially Liable Parties May Include:
- The Driver: If negligence, distraction, impairment, or reckless driving caused the crash
- Vehicle Manufacturer: If a mechanical defect or malfunction contributed to the accident
- Property Owner: In rare cases, where inadequate barriers or safety measures may have been a factor
In this case, investigators will examine whether driver error, medical emergency, vehicle malfunction, or other factors caused the SUV to crash into Oliver’s Market. Witness statements, surveillance footage, vehicle data recorders, and accident reconstruction may all play important roles in establishing fault.
Steps to Take After Being Injured in a Market Crash
If you were injured when a vehicle crashed into a building where you were present, taking the right steps can protect both your health and legal rights:
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Even if injuries seem minor, some serious conditions may not be immediately apparent. Document all injuries thoroughly.
- Report the Incident: Ensure law enforcement creates an official accident report. Request a copy for your records.
- Document Everything: Take photos of the scene, your injuries, and any property damage. Collect contact information from witnesses.
- Preserve Evidence: Keep all medical records, receipts, and documentation related to the accident and your injuries.
- Avoid Giving Statements: Do not provide recorded statements to insurance companies without legal representation.
- Consult an Experienced Attorney: Contact a personal injury lawyer who understands the complexities of vehicle-into-building accidents before accepting any settlement offers.
Time is a critical factor in protecting your legal rights after a vehicle-into-building accident, as California’s statute of limitations generally provides only two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Beyond this legal deadline, evidence can disappear or deteriorate rapidly in the days and weeks following an accident, making early action essential for building a strong case.
Surveillance footage from the store’s security cameras may be overwritten or deleted; physical evidence at the scene may be cleaned up or removed during repairs; and witnesses’ memories may fade over time or become difficult to locate. Insurance adjusters often contact victims within hours or days of an accident, seeking recorded statements or quick settlements before victims fully understand the extent of their injuries or consult with an attorney.
These early settlement offers are frequently far below the true value of a claim and may not account for future medical expenses, ongoing rehabilitation needs, permanent disabilities, or long-term impacts on earning capacity. By consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the accident, you ensure that crucial evidence is preserved through spoliation letters sent to all relevant parties.
Witness statements are documented while memories are fresh, your medical treatment is properly documented with an eye toward establishing the full scope of damages, and you have an advocate protecting your interests before making any statements or decisions that could jeopardize your claim. An attorney can also help coordinate with medical providers to ensure you receive necessary treatment even if you lack health insurance or cannot afford upfront costs, as many medical providers work on liens in personal injury cases.
Why These Cases Require Experienced Legal Representation
Vehicle-into-building crashes present unique legal challenges that require attorneys with specific experience:
Complex Issues Include:
- Determining the exact cause when multiple factors may be involved
- Navigating inadequate insurance coverage when multiple victims are injured
- Identifying all potentially liable parties
- Calculating full damages, including future medical needs
- Dealing with commercial property insurance issues
- Handling media attention and public interest in high-profile cases
Insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts after accidents involving multiple injured parties. Having experienced legal representation ensures your rights are protected, and you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
The legal complexities multiply significantly when multiple victims are injured in a single incident, as occurred in the Oliver’s Market crash. When six people sustained injuries from one driver’s actions, the at-fault driver’s insurance policy limits became a critical concern that could determine whether all victims receive full compensation for their losses.
California drivers are required to carry minimum liability coverage of only $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for bodily injury, amounts that are woefully inadequate when multiple people suffer serious injuries requiring extensive medical treatment, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering.
Experienced personal injury attorneys understand how to navigate these situations by identifying all available insurance coverage, including the driver’s personal auto policy, any umbrella policies that may provide additional coverage, underinsured motorist coverage that injured victims may have on their own policies, and potential liability coverage from the property owner if inadequate safety measures contributed to the severity of injuries.
Additionally, attorneys must carefully coordinate claims among multiple injured parties to ensure a fair distribution of limited insurance funds, often requiring negotiation and, in some cases, formal legal proceedings to protect each client’s interests. These cases also frequently involve disputes over the cause of the accident, with insurance companies attempting to shift blame to mechanical failure, medical emergencies, or other factors that might reduce or eliminate their liability exposure.
Establishing the true cause requires working with accident reconstruction experts who can analyze skid marks, vehicle damage patterns, surveillance footage, and event data recorder information from the vehicle’s computer systems. For victims without legal representation, insurance companies may exploit their lack of knowledge of the claims process, offer inadequate settlements, or delay payments, hoping victims will accept less than they deserve out of financial desperation during their recovery.
GJEL’s Experience with Vehicle Crash Cases
At GJEL Accident Attorneys, our legal team has recovered over $1 billion for injured clients throughout California during our more than 50 years of practice. We have successfully represented numerous victims of vehicle crashes, including those injured in vehicle-into-building accidents.
Our approach includes:
- Thorough investigation of accident causes and contributing factors
- Working with accident reconstruction experts and medical specialists
- Aggressive negotiation with insurance companies
- Taking cases to trial when necessary to achieve fair compensation
- Providing compassionate support throughout the legal process
We understand that being injured in a sudden, unexpected crash can be traumatic and life-altering. Our team is committed to helping victims navigate the complex legal process while they focus on recovery.
GJEL Accident Attorneys handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs, no hourly fees, and no expenses unless your case is successful.
This approach allows injured victims to access experienced legal representation regardless of their financial situation, ensuring that everyone has equal access to justice after being harmed by someone else’s negligence.
Understanding Personal Injury Settlement Calculators
Personal injury settlement calculators are valuable online tools that help accident victims estimate the potential value of their claims by analyzing key factors that influence compensation amounts. These calculators typically request information about medical expenses, lost wages, the severity and permanence of injuries, pain and suffering, and how the injuries have impacted daily life and future earning capacity.
By inputting this data, victims receive a preliminary range of what their case might be worth, which can help them understand whether insurance company settlement offers are fair or inadequate. However, it’s important to recognize that settlement calculators provide only rough estimates based on general formulas and cannot account for the unique circumstances of each case, including the strength of available evidence, the jurisdiction where the claim will be filed, the skill of legal representation, and the specific insurance policy limits involved.
While these tools can be educational and help victims understand the types of damages they may be entitled to recover, they should never replace consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney who can provide a more accurate valuation based on their knowledge of similar cases, local jury verdicts, and the specific legal and factual issues present in your situation.
California law recognizes both economic damages, such as medical bills and lost income, which can be precisely calculated, and non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, which require a more subjective evaluation based on the severity of injuries, the length of recovery, and long-term impacts on quality of life.
An attorney can properly assess all these factors and often identify additional sources of compensation that victims might not consider on their own, ensuring that settlement demands account for future medical needs, permanent disabilities, and the full scope of losses rather than just immediate expenses. Call us now at +1-866-218-3776 to speak with our experts.
Our Commitment: No Fees Unless We Win Your Case
“Being injured while simply shopping for groceries is a traumatic experience that no one should have to endure. If you or a loved one was hurt in this Oliver’s Market crash, please know that you have legal rights and shouldn’t have to face mounting medical bills and lost wages alone. These vehicle-into-building accidents often result in serious, life-changing injuries, and insurance companies will try to minimize what they owe you. Don’t accept any settlement offer or give a recorded statement before speaking with an experienced attorney who can protect your interests and ensure you receive full compensation for all your injuries, both now and in the future. Your focus should be on healing—let us handle the legal battle to get you the justice and financial recovery you deserve.— Andy Gillin, Managing Partner, GJEL Accident Attorneys
If you or a family member was injured in the Oliver’s Market crash or any similar accident in Northern California, our experienced legal team is here to help. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss your case and explain your legal options.
Time limits apply to personal injury claims in California, so it’s important to act promptly to protect your rights. Contact us today to learn how we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
At GJEL, we ensure that all evidence is properly preserved and that all potential sources of compensation are thoroughly investigated, allowing families to focus on healing. Talk to an experienced GJEL accident attorney for a free legal consultation. Contact us at +1-866-218-3776 or visit our Sacramento office to secure your future and compensation.
Local Resources for Santa Rosa Accident Victims
If you or a loved one was injured in the Oliver’s Market crash or any traffic accident in Santa Rosa, the following local resources and agencies can provide assistance, information, and support:
Law Enforcement and Accident Reports
Santa Rosa Police Department
- Address: 965 Sonoma Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
- Non-Emergency Phone: (707) 528-5222
- Emergency: 911
- Website: https://www.srcity.org/1304/Police-Department
- Traffic Division: (707) 543-3636
- Services: Accident reports, traffic collision investigations, victim assistance information
California Highway Patrol – Santa Rosa Area Office
- Address: 4010 Lohman Lane, Goleta, CA 93117 (Ventura Area Office handles Northern routes)
- Phone: (707) 588-1400
- Website: https://www.chp.ca.gov
- Services: Traffic accident reports, collision data, highway safety information
Medical and Emergency Services
Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital
- Address: 1165 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95405
- Emergency Department: (707) 546-3210
- Main Phone: (707) 525-5300
- Website: https://www.stjoesonoma.org
- Services: Emergency care, trauma services, rehabilitation programs
Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital
- Address: 30 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
- Emergency Department: (707) 576-4000
- Main Phone: (707) 576-4000
- Website: https://www.sutterhealth.org/srh
- Services: Emergency and trauma care, surgical services, physical therapy
Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center
- Address: 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
- Emergency Department: (707) 571-4000
- Main Phone: (707) 571-4000
- Website: https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org
- Services: Emergency care, specialty medical services, mental health support
Transportation and Traffic Safety
Sonoma County Transportation Authority
- Address: 411 King Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
- Phone: (707) 565-5373
- Website: https://scta.ca.gov
- Services: Traffic safety programs, transportation planning, road condition information
City of Santa Rosa – Department of Transportation and Public Works
- Address: 69 Stony Circle, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
- Phone: (707) 543-3800
- Website: https://www.srcity.org/1180/Transportation-Public-Works
- Services: Road safety information, traffic management, public works projects
Victim Support and Counseling Services
Victim/Witness Assistance Center – Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office
- Address: 600 Administration Drive, Room 212J, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
- Phone: (707) 565-2888
- Website: https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/district-attorney/victim-witness-assistance-center
- Services: Crisis intervention, court accompaniment, assistance with victim compensation claims, counseling referrals
Sonoma County Crisis Stabilization Unit
- Address: 3315 Chanate Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
- 24-Hour Crisis Line: (707) 576-8181
- Website: https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/health/behavioral-health
- Services: Mental health crisis support, trauma counseling, emergency psychological services
California Victim Compensation Board
- Toll-Free Phone: 1-800-777-9229
- Website: https://victims.ca.gov
- Services: Financial assistance for crime-related expenses, medical bills, counseling, lost wages, and funeral expenses
Legal Resources and Consumer Protection
State Bar of California – Lawyer Referral Service
- Phone: 1-866-442-2529
- Website: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/Need-Legal-Help/Lawyer-Referral-Service
- Services: Attorney referrals, legal aid information, consumer protection resources
Legal Aid of Sonoma County
- Address: 1212 4th Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
- Phone: (707) 542-1290
- Website: https://legalaidsc.org
- Services: Free legal services for qualifying low-income residents, legal advice, and representation
California Department of Insurance
- Consumer Hotline: 1-800-927-4357
- Website: https://www.insurance.ca.gov
- Services: Insurance complaint assistance, consumer guides, policy information, fraud reporting
Motor Vehicle and Driving Records
California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) – Santa Rosa Office
- Address: 2570 Corby Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95407
- Phone: 1-800-777-0133
- Website: https://www.dmv.ca.gov
- Services: Driver records, vehicle registration, accident history reports, license services
Community Support Services
Redwood Empire Food Bank
- Address: 3990 Brickway Boulevard, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
- Phone: (707) 523-7900
- Website: https://refb.org
- Services: Food assistance for families facing financial hardship due to accidents or injuries
Catholic Charities of Santa Rosa
- Address: 987 Airway Court, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
- Phone: (707) 528-8712
- Website: https://www.srcharities.org
- Services: Emergency assistance, counseling, case management, financial aid
211 Sonoma County
- Phone: 211 (or 1-800-325-1199)
- Website: https://211sonoma.org
- Services: Comprehensive information and referral service connecting residents to community resources, health services, and emergency assistance
These resources can provide crucial support as you navigate the aftermath of a serious accident. Remember that while these organizations offer valuable assistance, consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney ensures your legal rights are fully protected and you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.
