Here in New York, we walk through parking lots every day to get to our apartments, schools, restaurants, and stores. These walks are usually uneventful, but in certain circumstances, simply being in a parking lot can result in severe accidents and devastating injuries.
From the legal experts at the Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum here’s what you should know if you are involved in a slip and fall accident in a parking lot.
What Causes a Slip and Fall in Parking Lot?
Parking lots can be covered or uncovered, and it’s the uncovered ones that are often most dangerous because of their constant exposure to the weather. Outdoor parking lots can become covered in rain, ice, and snow to create hazardous conditions that are wet and slippery.
It is also possible to slip and fall in a parking lot due to poor lighting at night or because of damaged pavement, stairs, or handrails. Many people drive too fast through parking lots without considering the pedestrians around them. Depending on the circumstances, a parking lot owner, a driver, or another pedestrian could be liable for injuries you suffer in a parking lot.
Common Injuries from Parking Lot Accidents
Slip and fall accidents can be minor or severe, causing a wide range of injuries that take a long time to fully heal. It is common for people who fall in parking lots to have broken bones, especially fractures of the hips, knees, and wrists.
Many people also hit their heads when they fall in a parking lot, which can result in a concussion and brain damage. It is a common misconception that only elderly adults get seriously injured from falls, but people of any age or level of agility can experience irreversible damage due to the negligence of someone else in a parking lot.
Parking Lot Legal Obligations
Nearly every functional parking lot is owned by someone, so it’s important to find out who the parking lot owner is to determine whether that person failed to uphold the legal obligation to keep it safe and maintained. Parking lot owners are required to have their lots inspected on a periodic basis to ensure that there are no safety hazards. However, these inspections don’t happen every day, so it is very possible for new damage to appear before the owner is aware of it and has time to make a repair.
Proving Fault After a Slip and Fall
Oftentimes, the most challenging part of a slip and fall in parking lot case is proving fault and bringing the at-fault party to justice. That’s why New Yorkers trust Attorney Jeffrey Kestenbaum to make a strong case for why someone else caused the hazard that made you fall, knew about the condition and didn’t do anything, or should have known about it and fixed it in a timely way. Our office will conduct a thorough investigation to ensure that the defendant can’t wrongfully put the blame back onto you as well.
How to Pursue a Parking Lot Injury Case
If you have been injured in a New York parking lot, it is worth contacting an attorney to learn more about the legal viability of your claim and what your case is worth. We can help you successfully pursue your parking lot case and be by your side every step of the way. Contact us online or at 718-237-5586 to learn more.
