If I Fall in a Parking Lot, Who Is Responsible?

When you have been injured on another person’s property, you may be entitled to compensation from the owner. This will depend on the question of liability. 

After an accident, many victims wonder, “If I fall in a parking lot, who is responsible?” A knowledgeable premises liability attorney can review the circumstances of your accident and help you determine who is at fault. 

Lawsuits regarding accidents and mishaps that result from dangerous property fall under the category of “premises liability” claims. This type of legal claim allows injury victims to recover compensation for the costs resulting from their parking lot accident. 

When a parking lot is not well maintained, it is more likely that visitors will slip or trip and become hurt. There are several rules for determining liability in cases like these.

Owners Must Maintain Safe Property

Those who own and occupy commercial or public property have a legal duty to visitors. Parking lot owners must not subject customers, patrons, or other visitors to unreasonable risks of injury.   

The condition or design of the property may increase risks and open the property owner to liability. The owner of a parking lot, for example, should ensure that the lot has received any needed repairs, updates, or maintenance. 

If the owner is aware of hazards in the parking lot and does not address them, they can be held accountable for any resulting harm. 

Visitors Must Use the Parking Lot Appropriately

In a premises liability case, the injured person must provide evidence that they were using the property in a normal way. If someone becomes injured while behaving in a reckless or unauthorized way, they will not be eligible for financial damages. 

When you have been injured in a parking lot, it is critical to consult with an attorney about the facts of your case. A legal representative can help you prove that the property owner’s negligence was the cause of your personal injury.

Following a parking lot accident, most victims will wonder what types of financial compensation they can pursue through a legal claim. In most personal injury cases, the injured person can pursue two types of compensation. 

These are known as “special” and “general” damages.

What Are Special Damages?

Special damages are payments that compensate the accident victim for their monetary losses. 

Securing treatments for a personal injury is very expensive in the United States. For this reason, victims have the legal right to pursue financial recovery for their economic expenses. Common examples of special damages in parking lot fall claims include: 

• Past and current medical expenses
• Expected costs for future medications and care
• Surgical costs
• Cost of lost wages or missed income
• Associated property damage 

These are only a few types of special damages in falling injury cases. The owner of a dangerous parking lot can be held accountable for any resulting monetary losses that injury victims experience.

What Are General Damages?

When a victim sustains a falling injury in a parking lot, the damage can be severe. Oftentimes, the non-monetary losses from the accident are the most devastating. 

General damages are legal payments intended to compensate the injury victim for the personal and emotional harm they experienced. The most typical examples of general damages include payments to make up for: 

• Physical pain, suffering, and discomfort
• Emotional anguish or distress
• Panic, anxiety, and depression
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Inability to engage in recreational activities
• Embarrassment
• Disability or disfigurement 

Those with no legal experience often underestimate the intangible losses caused by a falling injury. That is why it is vital to speak with an attorney who focuses on falling accident injury cases.  
The accomplished team at Morgan & Morgan knows what it takes to recover the compensation our clients are owed. We will not rest until you receive every penny to which your accident entitles you.

Every parking lot mishap or accident is unique. However, some types of injuries are more likely than others when someone falls because of a negligent parking lot owner. 

Some examples of common falling accident injuries include:

Fractures and Broken Bones

When someone falls and collides with the ground, a significant amount of force is involved. Although elderly people are more susceptible to broken bones, this injury can affect anyone.  

Whether you have fallen forward or backward will determine the bones that are most at risk in your body. When victims fall forward, they often try to catch the weight of their body with their hands or elbows. This can result in broken bones in the wrist or arms. 

When a person slips and falls backward, they often land on their elbows or tailbone. This type of impact can also result in a fracture.

Spinal Injuries

Falling onto a hard surface such as a parking lot can cause victims to experience damage to their spine. These injuries often require immediate medical attention. 

Some of the most common spinal injuries that happen from falls are: 

• Herniated discs
• Pinched spinal nerves
• Spinal cord compression
• Vertebrae fractures 

Oftentimes, victims of spinal cord injuries experience long-lasting and severe symptoms. If you have sustained this type of injury while on another person’s property, do not hesitate. Secure the services of a skilled legal professional immediately.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Brain injuries often occur when the falling victim’s head collides with the pavement of the parking lot. Traumatic brain injuries are also known as TBI. 

Even minor TBIs are very serious and require medical care. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, TBI may even result in death in severe cases. 

Some of the most typical symptoms resulting from TBI include: 

• Dizziness
• Persistent headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of consciousness
• Numbness
• Blurred vision
• Disorientation
• Loss of cognitive function 

These are only a few of the signs of a traumatic brain injury. Any time you have sustained an impact to your head, you should seek treatment immediately.  

Sometimes, TBIs do not present symptoms until days or weeks after the initial accident. Make sure to speak with a medical care provider immediately to receive an accurate and timely diagnosis.

Contingency fees are one way that law firms handle the payment of the legal costs associated with a case. 

When you have been injured, you will face many financial challenges and obligations. You should not have to worry about paying upfront attorneys’ fees before pursuing compensation. When you hire Morgan and Morgan, you will not have to pay any fees unless we recover money for you.  

When we have gotten the compensation that you deserve, a portion of the recovery will compensate your legal representative. Never hire a lawyer or firm that demands payment before taking your case.

Parking lot owners have a legal duty to provide a reasonably safe environment for visitors. When a property owner’s negligence causes someone to become hurt, the victim can file a legal claim. 

The legal team at the firm of Morgan & Morgan has successfully handled many premises liability cases. We will fight diligently to ensure that you receive the money that you are owed. 

Schedule a free legal consultation with our team to discuss the options in your situation. When you complete the online contact form, our friendly staff will arrange a no-cost case evaluation to review your case. Let the team at Morgan & Morgan get justice for you.