Parking Lot Injuries

Everyone understands that businesses are supposed to make their stores safe for customers. They should be free from hazards that could possibly injure a customer. What many people don’t realize is that this requirement extends to parking lots. Businesses provide large parking lots to make it more convenient for their customers. Therefore, they have to make sure not only that their stores are safe, but also that their parking lots are safe.

Parking lots are unique in that they’re designed for vehicle traffic, but also see an equal amount of foot traffic. This combination leads to many types of accidents:

• Car Accidents: Like anywhere else cars and vehicle traffic go, accidents are bound to happen. This happens for a variety of reasons, including drivers backing out of spots without seeing oncoming traffic and drivers looking for parking spots and not paying attention.
• Car vs. Pedestrian Accidents: One of the most serious types of accidents that happen in a parking lot is when a pedestrian is struck by a car. These usually happen when drivers aren’t paying attention to what’s in front of them, even though they know they should be on the lookout for pedestrians.
• Parking Lot Defect Falls: Whether it’s a pothole or an unmarked curb, parking lot defects pose a danger to pedestrians, especially the elderly. These calls can cause serious injuries such as broken bones and ruptured discs.
• Snow & Ice: Parking lot owners are required to keep the property free from an accumulation of snow and ice. This means plowing/shoveling quickly after a snowstorm and being proactive in making sure ice does not form on these surfaces. Like any fall, the injuries that result can be catastrophic.
• Bad Lighting: Parking lots that are poorly lit become a draw for criminal activity. Property owners have an obligation to keep their property free from this criminal element so as to keep their customers safe.

When someone is injured in a parking lot due to a defect with the space itself, there can be many challenges to finding out who is ultimately responsible.

Finding the Property Owner: It’s not always easy to figure out who owns a piece of property. For example, even many big-box stores don’t own the property; they rent their space. At the same time, there are many complex corporations and trusts that are used to disguise who the real owner is.

Finding the Property Manager: Even if you find out who the owner is, it can be tough to find out who is responsible for maintaining the property. Most owners and tenants hire property management companies to take care of the property and make sure that the premises are safe.

No matter how your parking lot accident happened, it’s important to hire experienced lawyers. Your lawyer will have to peel back the onion to figure out who is responsible for your injuries.

At Marcotte Law Firm, we have decades of experience representing people who were injured in parking lots. We’ve represented pedestrians hit by cars, pedestrians who slip and fall, as well as drivers who were hit by another driver not paying attention.

If you were injured in a parking lot, email or call the Personal Injury Lawyers at Marcotte Law Firm for a free, no obligation consultation.