While some car accidents happen on a highway, accidents can and do happen in Los Angeles parking lots. The types of accidents occurring in parking lots can vary, and can include accidents between cars, accidents with pedestrians, property damage, hit-and-runs, and others.
A combination of tight parking spaces, awkward maneuvering, a great deal of foot traffic, busy periods such as holidays, and impatient drivers can all contribute to accidents in parking lots. Even a low-speed crash, which can be typical for parking garages, can potentially result in extensive injuries, especially if pedestrians or cyclists are hit by a car.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that between 2008 and 2011, almost 6,500 people died in so-called “not-in-traffic crashes,” which include parking lot accidents. Some of these fatalities involved pedestrians. During the same time span, the NHTSA estimates that not-in-traffic crashes injure an average of more than a thousand people per year.
If you suffered injuries in a Los Angeles parking lot accident due to someone else’s negligence, you can discuss your case with a Los Angeles parking lot accident lawyer. You may choose to seek compensation for any material damage and injuries. Just like any other car accident that is another driver’s fault, you might be able to file a personal injury lawsuit to help with medical bills, lost wages, or future losses that could result from injuries suffered in an accident.
Parking Lot Accident Negligence
Parking lot accidents, similar to accidents on the roads, can have a multitude of causes, such as driver inattention, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or driving too fast. Accidents in parking garages can also happen when drivers back out of a parking space without looking, or drive in the wrong direction.
California is an at-fault state, so determining who is at fault and to what extent is important when it comes to filing a claim with insurances. Typically, the at-fault driver’s insurance will cover the damages of the injured party to a certain degree. There is usually a ceiling on this type of coverage, and compensation may not cover the financial losses suffered by the victim, especially if the injuries prove extensive. In this case, a victim may file a personal injury lawsuit.
In order to prove negligence in a parking lot accident in California, five elements must be present:
- The defendant has a duty of care.
- The defendant breached the duty of care.
- The breach of duty caused the victim’s injuries.
- The defendant should have foreseen that their actions could cause harm.
- Damages, such as medical bills or lost wages, are present.
Car accident law can be challenging to interpret, and the negligent party may have their own legal representation. A Los Angeles parking lot accident lawyer may handle your case either through an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit.
Parking Lot Accident Compensation
If you intend to file a personal injury lawsuit for an accident in a parking lot, be mindful of the time limits on filing your case, which could render your claim invalid if you do not file within the time frame. In California, as per California’s Code of Civil Procedures §335.1, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim and obtain compensation for any injuries suffered. For property damage, the time limit to file suit is three years.
If you attempt to sue a government agency, you will have to first file an administrative claim within six months of the accident. If you have any questions regarding California’s statute of limitations and how it pertains to your specific accident case, speaking to a Los Angeles parking lot accident lawyer may help you determine your remaining time to file a lawsuit.
For a free legal consultation with a Parking Lot Accidents Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 794-0444
Types of Compensation
If you suffered injuries and property damage in a Los Angeles parking lot accident that was someone else’s fault, there are several types of compensation you could receive. You may be able to recover compensation for medical bills and equipment, loss of wages, transportation costs, and the costs of a home or health aide, among others.
You could also receive amounts for physical and emotional pain and suffering you endured as a result of the accident.
Los Angeles Parking Lot Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Let Us Handle Your Los Angeles Parking Lot Accident Case
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm is here to help you recover what you deserve from a responsible part after a parking lot accident. If you find yourself with a stack of medical bills, lost wages, and other losses from an accident that happened due to someone else’s carelessness or negligence, you have a right to seek help.
We do not shy away from tough cases and will fight so you can get justice and the compensation you deserve. Filing a personal injury case may seem like a big step, but we can help you with all aspects of your case, including gathering evidence, consulting with expert witnesses if it helps your case, and negotiating with insurance.
While your focus should be on healing from your injuries and moving past an upsetting experience, our focus can revolve around protecting you from any future losses that could result from the accident. We work on contingency, which means that you will not incur any out-of-pocket costs. We collect payment when we win a settlement or judgment in your favor. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to see how we may help you get compensation and justice. You can reach us at (800) 794-0444.
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