Hurt in a Parking Lot? Get Help.

If you turn on the news, you will see stories about a recession on the horizon. However, if you drive to the shopping mall or your favorite big box store, you will find crowded stores and parking lots. The more people, the higher the odds of an accident. Besides traffic, parking lots can be dangerous places for trips, slips & falls, and criminal activity. Any of these things can cause serious injuries, and getting hurt in a parking lot could have life-altering consequences.

Hazards in Parking Lots

Obviously, traffic is the most common lot hazard. With many people, tight driving spaces, and plenty of distractions, parking lots are fraught with danger. Drivers and pedestrians alike need to be on the lookout for distracted and impatient drivers. Besides car accidents, parking lots also can be hazardous places for pedestrian slips, trips, and falls. What can cause parking lot trips, slips, and falls?

• Poor lighting
• Ice and snow
• Deep puddles
• Cracked pavement and sidewalks
• Dilapidated stairs and broken handrails
• Inadequate pavement striping
• Potholes
• Uneven water drains and sewers
• Construction and other debris

Another parking lot hazard is criminal activity. Shoppers can be victims of robbery and assault, or worse, in parking lots. Therefore, park in well-lit areas and pay close attention to your surroundings.

It's Not Your Fault

If you get hurt in a parking lot due to the negligence of others, you have legal rights. For instance, if you were hit by a car as a pedestrian, and the driver is at fault, you could sue for medical expenses, lost wages, pain & suffering, and other damages. Additionally, you may have a third-party claim against the parking lot’s owner or property manager if dangerous conditions contributed to the accident.

Also, the property owner or manager has a legal duty of care to provide shoppers with a safe environment. Accordingly, they are responsible for ice and snow removal, fixing fix broken sidewalks and stairs, and installing sufficient lighting. If they fail to do so, and you get injured, you could sue them for your injuries. And in certain circumstances, the property owner or manager can be held responsible if you are hurt in a crime. For example, if their parking lot has a history of criminal activity, they need to take steps to protect their customers. For instance, they may need to install surveillance cameras and hire security.

Talk to a Lawyer

Figuring out who is at fault for a parking lot injury is no easy task. But an experienced personal injury lawyer can help identify all the responsible parties when you get hurt in a parking lot. So, if you or a family member was hurt in a parking lot, give us a call.