When most people think of accidents and injuries that take place in Florida, it’s the highways and state roads that are most commonly considered. But the fact is that accidents can occur virtually anywhere, and one location that accidents do happen in is the parking lot.
No matter the size of the business or the size of the parking lot, if you’re injured in an accident that takes place in one, you could have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit and seek financial compensation for your injuries.
Doing so is important since an accident of any kind could leave you struggling to make a full financial recovery. Negative impacts to your income, your ability to earn money, your medical bills, and more shouldn’t be your burden if the accident wasn’t your fault, and a personal injury lawsuit helps you ease that burden and get financial stability so you can focus on physical healing.
There are two main focuses of a lawsuit of this nature, and it largely depends upon just who is to blame for your injuries.
Another Driver
If you are driving, walking, or even parked in a parking lot or parking garage and are struck by another driver, there’s a chance that you can seek restitution from them. In order to do so, you must show that they were acting in a way that was negligent or reckless. This can include things like:
• Speeding
• Going in the wrong direction
• Driving erratically
• Driving while drunk
• Texting while driving
• And more
Essentially, if it’s something that would be considered reckless or negligent on the highway, it could be considered the same in a parking garage and could be enough to get you restitution.
The Property Manager or Owner
There is also a chance that your injuries could be caused through the negligence or recklessness of the property manager or owner of the parking lot. If the person responsible for maintaining a safe environment fails to do so, you could get restitution
Some examples of what may be grounds for compensation in this situation include:
• Slippery walkways
• Poorly lit areas
• Confusing driving areas
• Poor maintenance
• Debris
• Faulty wiring
• And more
Whether you’re in your vehicle or walking through the parking lot, any aspect of the property that contributes to your accident may mean that you are entitled to restitution. However, you must show that the property owner or manager knew about the safety issue and that they chose to do nothing about it. If you can’t show that they were aware of the safety issue, you can’t show that they were negligent in ignoring it
Proving Fault
No matter what type of parking lot accident you’re involved in or who is responsible, the first step that your lawyer will have to take will be proving that you are owed compensation. It can be difficult to show that the other party acted negligently or recklessly, and as such your attorney will need to use several different tools. Some of them include:
• Security cameras
• Past accident reports
• Witness statements
• Safety inspection information
• And more
Your lawyer will review all of the information and then put it to work for you, making sure that you get the restitution you deserve. It can be hard to make a full recover after an accident, and when you’re financially struggling it’s often even more difficult. Your lawyer can help make sure that you get the restitution you’re owed and fight to make sure you get the money you need to get back on your feet following an accident. Contact our office today to talk to our team and get the help you deserve.