In September of 2025, ABC Action News reported that a vehicle had crashed into a New Jersey Tesla dealership. The crash caused three injuries, and these kinds of stories are becoming increasingly common in the Garden State. For whatever reason, drivers are crashing into buildings at an unheard-of rate – and innocent people are suffering the consequences. If you were injured in a New Jersey storefront crash, you may be able to pursue compensation alongside a personal injury attorney.
Emergency Crews Rush to the Scene After Vehicle Crashes into Dealership Showroom
Authorities in Mercer County say that a red vehicle ended up inside a Tesla dealership showroom after smashing through the glass windows and injuring three people. The incident occurred at around 3:30 PM under unclear circumstances. Initially, ABC Action News could not confirm whether the driver responsible had been charged or arrested. However, they did note that all three injuries appeared to be relatively minor.
CBS News later confirmed that the individual behind the wheel was a 74-year-old woman who accidentally pressed on the accelerator before the crash. However, police noted that even though this accident seems accidental, they are still continuing to investigate it. The elderly woman was one of the three people injured in the accident, and she was subsequently hospitalized. The other two victims were injured by broken glass.
Flying shards of broken glass can cause considerable injuries to innocent customers and workers. Although many store windows are designed to smash in a non-threatening manner, there is always the possibility of catastrophic injuries caused by large shards. These shards can sever arteries, cause disfiguring injuries, and end lives. Those who have suffered glass-related injuries may want to discuss their legal options with an experienced injury attorney in New Jersey.
It is not clear whether the elderly woman was driving a Tesla. If so, this wouldn’t be the first time a vehicle of this type has been involved in a storefront accident. These technologically advanced vehicles feature “self-parking” and self-driving software. Some argue that this technology is prone to malfunctioning, and these malfunctions could potentially send vehicles careening into storefronts.
In June of 2025, various sources reported that Tesla was facing a major lawsuit regarding a crash in New Jersey. This crash involved a family returning from a music festival in their Tesla. The plaintiffs allege that the self-driving software on the vehicle malfunctioned, sending the Tesla into a concrete barrier and causing multiple fatalities. Could the same type of malfunction cause a vehicle to crash into a storefront?
Potential Storefront Crash Injuries in New Jersey
Broken glass is perhaps the most obvious hazard during a storefront crash. As previously noted, these shards of flying glass can cause lacerations, disfiguring scars, and fatalities. However, store occupants also face hazards from crashing vehicles. An impact from one of these vehicles could cause traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), broken bones, and organ damage.
These accidents are also associated with crush injuries. A victim might be crushed underneath a vehicle after it becomes lodged inside a store. Victims may also suffer crush injuries caused by collapsing stores, as an impact from a vehicle can affect the structural integrity of the building.
Who Is Responsible for Storefront Crashes in New Jersey?
Generally speaking, a driver has a legal duty to avoid crashing into buildings. When they breach this duty of care, they may become liable for subsequent injuries. That said, a premises liability claim may also be possible in this situation. If victims can establish that property owners also contributed to these accidents in some way, they may be able to pursue additional compensation.
For example, a property owner might have become aware that reckless drivers were constantly crashing into the building. In this situation, the property owner might be required to install preventative barriers like bollards. Each case is slightly different, so consider discussing your unique circumstances with a lawyer.
Can a New Jersey Auto Accident Lawyer Help Me?
If you were injured in a New Jersey storefront crash, you have the right to consider your legal options. You may be eligible to pursue compensation, and an auto accident lawsuit could provide compensation for lost wages, medical bills, emotional distress, and other damages. People should feel safe when visiting car dealerships, restaurants, and other establishments in New Jersey. Negligent drivers should also face accountability for crashing into buildings. Contact Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C. to learn more about the next potential steps.

The firm’s principals, Gabriel R. Lependorf and David E. Silverstein, have each been representing injured victims in the State of New Jersey for over thirty years.
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