Parking lot owners are required to keep lots safe at all times in order to prevent injury to any visitors. These spaces are widely perceived as mundane and not commonly thought of as dangerous. People are often fooled due to the perception that cars must drive at low speeds and cannot hurt anyone. However, people are injured all the time in parking lots. Pedestrians and motorists alike can get hurt when the area has dangerous conditions like snow and ice, potholes, debris, and more.
If you or a loved one were harmed while at a parking lot, you can file a personal injury claim/lawsuit. Often, you can claim money for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress after experiencing an accident. Our team of legal professionals can be by your side as you go through the legal process. If you want more information about making a claim or filing a lawsuit about your parking lot accident in Inverness, our car crash attorneys are ready to help you.
Common Causes of Accidents in Parking Lots
Parking lot accidents often involve a pedestrian and a driver. Because of that, they can be dangerous because the pedestrian does not have protection. Additionally, the impact of the lot’s pavement can injure the person even further. Some of the most frequent causes of injuries include:
- Distracted driving, like texting or talking to passengers
- Fatigue
- Intoxication
- Speeding
- Failure to yield
- Reckless driving
- Backing out without looking for people or vehicles
- Potholes
- Limited visibility
- Road rage
These are only some factors causing collisions in parking lots. An Inverness attorney could analyze the facts of a case to determine how successful a claim will be.
Proving Negligence in a Parking Lot Accident Claim
One of the most important things for a successful injury lawsuit is proving the other party was negligent, or in other words, failed to take mandatory, proper care. The injured person bears the burden of proof to show the defendant caused the incident with their negligence. To prove negligence, the plaintiff must prove the following factors:
- The defendant had a duty of care to the plaintiff
- The defendant violated that duty of care
- The plaintiff acquired injuries
- The plaintiff’s injuries resulted directly from the defendant’s misconduct
A seasoned Inverness lawyer will help you prove the at-fault party was negligent in a parking lot accident case.
The Importance of Evidence
Another key factor to winning a lawsuit is having strong evidence. After getting into an accident of any kind, a person should immediately seek medical care. The medical reports and bills will show exactly how much money the person deserves to receive. If the person waits to receive medical care, insurance companies will try to argue that the injuries came from a different source.
If the person can do so at the crash scene, they should take photos and videos and gather the contact information of potential witnesses. It also helps to get a copy of the police report and write down notes. The details are important and can make or break a case. It is also essential to acquire legal representation quickly after the incident occurs. A reliable Inverness attorney will assist you in collecting the right evidence to win your parking lot accident case.
Contact Our Inverness Attorneys After a Parking Lot Accident
You do not need to navigate the next steps alone after experiencing a parking lot accident in Inverness. You may believe that it is cheaper to deal with insurance companies yourself, but you must keep in mind that the other party’s insurance company is trying to save its own money by giving you the lowest settlement possible. A lawyer can help you craft the best case possible to seek accountability and the recovery you deserve. Contact our law office for a consultation as soon as possible.
