Thousands of people in Los Angeles and across California suffer personal injuries while walking or driving in parking lots of malls and other public facilities. Fortunately, documented financial and emotional damages may be recoverable in civil court if there is appropriate evidence of negligence by another party. Parking lot accidents could involve distracted drivers and pedestrians, inadequate maintenance and even the lack of security.
Distracted drivers
According to auto insurers, high-traffic vacation times and holidays are when most parking lot accidents occur. Although fender benders are often not reported, the National Safety Council says the following distractions account for most parking lot accidents:
- Answering or making phone calls
- Texting
- Programming GPS
- Sending and receiving emails
- Watch videos or take photos
- Grooming, although NSC says teens are more likely to be distracted in this way
Along with all these distractions, long shopping lists and to-do lists often distract consumers.
Other injury risks in parking lots
It’s best to choose carefully any parking lots to sue. The following conditions could cause life-altering injuries to pedestrians:
- Inadequate road markings
- Cracks and potholes
- Debris
- Lack of or absent signage
- Insufficient lighting
- Water puddles, snow and ice, left to accumulate
A significant percentage of parking lot injuries are caused by slip-and-fall accidents.
Security risks
Consumers who use large parking lots like those at shopping malls will always be vulnerable. Perpetrators have many places to hide and assaults could happen in the blink of an eye. It is always a good idea to choose lots with limited pedestrian traffic and monitored video surveillance equipment.
Parking lot injuries caused by the negligence of another typically provide grounds for civil lawsuits. They could be based on a parking lot auto accident, slip-and-fall injuries due to negligent maintenance, or assault injuries due to negligent security. Regardless, if negligence can be established, damages can be recovered by filing a personal injury lawsuit in a California civil court.
