Parking Structure Incident Leaves Passenger Dead and Young Driver Badly Injured after Car Plunges Off Lot – Parking Lot Incident Attorneys

According to the National Safety Council, there are an estimated 50,000 crashes in parking lots and parking garages annually; further, these incidents result in over 60,000 injuries and 500 fatalities. “Plummet” incidents (in which a vehicle falls from a height) are less common, although they frequently lead to catastrophic injuries. Some of the factors that contribute to plummet incidents include improper maintenance, structural failure, and even vehicle malfunctions, for example. Some of the more common parking lot incidents include hit-and-run incidents, low-speed fender benders, and pedestrian accidents. Pedestrian accidents, specifically, account for an estimated 9% of parking lot pedestrian deaths due to backup incidents (or drivers backing out of parking spots without checking for pedestrians).

Some of the different causes of parking lot incidents may include the following:

• Improper parking lot maintenance, including missing or misplaced signs, poorly lit areas, etc.
• Structural failure (like broken fences or barriers)
• Vehicle malfunctions (brakes failing, vehicle suddenly accelerating, etc.)
• Reckless driving (driving too fast in the parking lot, well above the posted speed limit)
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Distracted driving (stepping on the gas pedal instead of the brake or stepping on the gas pedal in the wrong gear)
• And more

The specific injuries that someone suffers as a result of parking lot incidents can vary significantly based on the type of incident that occurs. For example, low-speed fender benders may cause only minor injuries like whiplash, while an incident at a higher speed or that involves plummeting may result in more life-threatening injuries. These injuries could potentially include the following:

• Head injuries, concussions, traumatic brain injuries, brain hemorrhages
• Neck injuries and back injuries
• Spinal cord injuries, possibly leading to paralysis
• Broken bones and dislocations
• Pelvic injuries and hip injuries
• Knee injuries
• Crushing injuries
• Lacerations
• Scrapes and bruises
• And more

No matter the specific harm that you or a member of your family suffered in a parking lot, it is important that you understand that you could have the right to file a lawsuit.

Yes, you could have the right to file a lawsuit. In general, the right to file a lawsuit after a parking lot incident is based on the concept of negligence. Therefore, you will need to be able to prove that the incident, and the resulting harm, occurred because of the negligent actions (or inactions) of a party or entity. For example, if the incident occurred because there was not a warning sign in an area of the parking structure with a broken or unsafe barrier, then the owner/operator of the parking lot could be negligent and could be liable. If the incident occurred because the vehicle malfunctioned, causing it to suddenly speed up, then the auto manufacturer could be liable. If the incident occurred simply because of the reckless actions of a driver, then the driver (and their insurance company) could be liable. To ensure that you have a thorough understanding of negligence and your right to file a lawsuit, please do not hesitate to reach out to our legal team as soon as possible.

Some of the different categories of compensation available for recovery could include the following:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Wrongful death benefits (including funeral and burial costs and loss of consortium)
• Legal expenses

What can I recover? How much is my case worth? Although these are common questions, they can be questions that are impossible to answer without a thorough case evaluation. The value of these claims is based on the factors surrounding each situation, including but not limited to the type of incident that occurred, the type of injuries sustained, the extent of the injuries, the victim’s wage history, the total time the victim was unable to work due to their injuries, whether the victim had dependents they were supporting, and more.

In general, these cases can be worth anywhere from $150,000 to $1.5 million. Again, the value of these cases will vary significantly based on the details surrounding each incident. Here at our law firm, our parking lot accident lawyers are more than ready to fight for your rights and help you secure the maximum payout available for your claim. Whether our team has to negotiate to reach a settlement or take your claim to court to reach a verdict, you can trust that our experts will do everything possible to ensure that you are fairly compensated.

After any parking lot incident, it is important that those involved take the following steps:

• Seek medical attention as soon as possible
• Take photos of the scene of the accident
• Take note of any hazard that may have contributed to the incident
• Take photos of all visible injuries
• File a police report
• File a report with the relevant party or entity (this may include the owner/operator of the parking structure or parking lot)
• Speak to witnesses and collect their contact information
• Gather any video footage that captured the incident (dash cam footage, surveillance footage, etc.)
• Seek the guidance of a parking lot accident lawyer

Are you unsure of what you should do next? Here at our law firm, our team is ready to guide you every step of the way and help you fight for your rights.

All claims are subject to a statute of limitations or a deadline to sue. If claimants do not file their claims on time, they run the risk of losing their right to sue entirely. So, how long do you have to pursue a parking lot incident case? In California, personal injury claims (including wrongful death claims) are subject to a two-year statute of limitations, meaning that claimants will only have two years to file their claims. However, certain exceptions to the statute of limitations may apply. To ensure that you have a thorough understanding of the total length of time that you have to file your claim, contact our legal team as soon as possible.

Our parking lot accident lawsuit lawyers are more than ready to provide you with the guidance that you need to fight for your rights after a parking lot accident and secure the maximum recovery available for your claim. Our lawyers are committed to helping victims and their families reach justice. To ensure that our team remains as accessible as possible, we offer free case evaluations, which include free consultations and free second opinions. During these free legal services, our experts will be available to answer your questions, address your concerns, and ensure that you have access to all the information that you need to either begin or continue your claim after starting it elsewhere. If you are interested in scheduling a free case review, please do not hesitate to reach out to our legal team as soon as possible. Our experienced lawyers are ready to provide you with the guidance that you need to fight for your rights after a parking lot accident.

Zero-Fee Guarantee: you will not be required to pay any upfront legal costs for any of our legal services. In addition, our firm works on a strict contingency structure, meaning that you will not be required to pay anything at all if your lawsuit is not successful. If you do not win, you simply will not be responsible for any legal expenses whatsoever.

Contact us today to learn more about the legal options available to you and your family after a parking lot crash.