During the holidays, every mall and store is filled with shoppers, and their parking lots are filled with cars. In a busy parking lot, it is much more likely for car accidents to occur strictly because of the volume of vehicles.
Parking lot car accident claims will involve many of the same processes as any car accident claim. In Florida, where there are no-fault negligence laws in place, you will need to file a claim with your car insurance company in order to recover compensation. Although you can receive some coverage from your insurance provider, you may be curious about the store’s liability for your damages.
Could the Store Be Held Liable for a Parking Lot Car Accident?
It’s possible that a store could be held liable for accidents that occur in their parking lot. If you were injured in a parking lot car accident, and are interested in pursuing compensation by suing the business, you will need to be able to prove their fault.
Parking lot car accident cases are more similar to premises liability cases than typical car accident claims. This is because the case would focus on the store’s failure to safely maintain their parking lot or their contribution to unsafe conditions in the parking lot. You will need to prove that some element of the parking lot’s design or maintenance contributed to your car accident.
A store could be liable for an accident that happened in their parking lot if:
What Should I Do if I am Injured in a Parking Lot Car Accident?
Parking lot accidents, in general, happen at lower speeds and result in less damages than car accidents that occur on the road. However, this does not mean that injuries cannot happen in parking lot car accidents. If you are injured in a parking lot collision, follow the same procedures as you would after any car accident: Get the medical attention you need, take photographs, and get the other driver’s contact information. In these situations, it may also help to make note of the business that are nearby, and if any of those businesses have surveillance cameras pointed at the parking lot. The footage from those cameras could be helpful evidence in your case. Parking lot collisions may also be witnessed by more people than a typical car accident — collecting the contact information from any willing bystanders can help your case.
If you were injured in a car accident — in a parking lot or otherwise — Frohlich, Gordon & Beason, P.A. can help. We understand the complexities of all types of car accident situations and can apply our knowledge to your individual case.
To schedule a free consultation with our legal team, complete our contact form or call (941) 979-9010.