Parking lots can be full of hazards. Customers often experience different types of injuries. Potholes, shopping carts, vehicles reversing, and debris increase the risk of injuries in public or private parking lots. People often become the victim of a slip and fall, vehicle crash, physical assault, or theft in these locations.
If you were injured or hurt in a parking lot, you may be wondering what you should do next to recover damages. Whether it was a slip and fall, or criminal activity, you can take necessary legal action and sue the negligent party or parties.
Common accidents in parking lots
Here are a few common types of incidents that occur in parking lots. If you have sustained injuries, you can sue the negligent party for their wrongful actions.
- Slips, trips, and falls –
Many people suffer injuries in slip and fall accidents in parking lots. Broken bones, severe head and brain damage are common injuries that one may experience. Property owners who do not maintain their properties can be held liable for injuries on their property caused by their failure to remedy the danger.
Many times, parking lot injuries can be prevented by taking proper measures. If safety guidelines are not followed, an injured person can sue the property management company. The victim may be able to recover compensation for lost wages, medical bills, and other expenses. Property owners can be held liable even when back, spine, or brain injury, occur while walking in the parking lot area.
- Collisions –
Collisions in parking lots are very common. If you sustain any injuries due to being hit by a vehicle in a parking lot, you may have a claim against both the negligent driver and the property administrator. The property owner will be legally responsible for parking lot collisions in the following situation:
- When the property owner fails to follow proper safety measures and precautions
- When the parking area was in bad condition, such as inadequate lighting or confusing signage
- When the property owner was aware of taxi accident hazards and did not take any steps to prevent the harm
You can file a claim against the parking lot owner and the driver if any of these or other situations apply.
- Crimes –
Property owners who fail to follow security measures and secure their parking lots can be held responsible for injuries caused by criminal activity. They may face a personal injury lawsuit for their negligent behavior. Victims can file a lawsuit against the parking lot owner and the criminal, in some cases. For instance, if you are assaulted in a parking lot, the property owner could be held liable for failing to safeguard the premises. You may also file a civil lawsuit against the person who assaulted you after criminal proceedings are brought against the perpetrator.
Causes of parking lot accidents
Parking lots are hectic and prone to accidents. When an automobile is involved in a crash, you should contact an auto accident lawyer to discuss your concerns. Here are some of the most common causes of accidents that take place in parking areas:
Negligence – Sometimes, drivers and staff fail to pay attention to what they are doing. Management should take precautions to follow safety measures and prevent risks.
Lighting – Most parking lots are open during the night as well. Many times, they have poor lighting that can increase the risk of a slip and fall accidents or a criminal act.
Damaged wheel stops – If broken pieces of cement fall onto the sidewalk, they can increase a parking lot’s risk. Visitors in parking lots may not see the damaged wheel stops and may trip over them. Staff and management have a duty to remove hazardous conditions and can be held responsible for failing to do so.
Inadequate signage – Property owners and management are responsible for remedying insufficient or confusing signage. They should instruct their staff members on what steps they should take to prevent the risk.
Are stores responsible for parking lot accidents?
Store owners can be held liable for any accident that occurs on their premises, including parking lots. For instance, if a store had a pothole and poor lighting, the owners should take steps to fix it. In general, they should implement safety measures for their visitors. The store could be held liable when property owners fail to provide a safe area free from known or knowable dangers. A store owner may be responsible for a customer’s injury and may be forced to compensate the victim if they sustain injuries.
Can I sue the negligent person?
Yes, an injured victim has the legal right to sue a parking lot owner or negligent person. They can be held liable and will have to pay for your damages. If you have sustained injuries in a parking lot, you can file a third-party insurance claim or a lawsuit against the negligent party or parties.
You can recover compensation for medical expenses, lost work time, emotional damages, and more with the help of a knowledgeable legal professional. You can reach out to an experienced Philadelphia personal injury lawyer to discuss the details of your case and proceed with the claim.