Burlington Parking Lots: Dangerous Premises for Pedestrians
Parking lots can be accidents waiting to happen. Sometimes they have speed limits posted by the lot’s owner, or are governed by city ordinances, but most of the time, people seem to think that anything goes.
Parking lots rarely include traffic signals, and poor design can make the chances of an accident very good. When a person is injured in a parking lot, they often don’t know where to turn. Is it possible to file a lawsuit against someone? If so, how? We recommend speaking to a Burlington personal injury attorney who knows and handles accidents in parking lots, like the ones at DiBella Law Offices, P.C.
Give us a call today to discover how we can assist you.
What Can Cause Parking Lot Accidents?
Parking lots often have a mix of cars, trucks, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Because there are so many people in parking lots, there are many different causes of parking lot injuries.
With so many vehicles in parking lots that are often quite small, motor vehicle collisions are common. Two cars may crash into each other, particularly if one is turning into a row and another one is coming down that same row. Vehicles can also crash into pedestrians or cyclists, particularly when backing up.
However, not all parking lot accidents are caused by vehicles. Slip-and-falls can occur due to ice and snow not being cleared, or because potholes were not repaired when they should have been. Often parking lots are not maintained properly and left in a state of disrepair. In other cases, poor lighting or insufficient security can also lead to injuries, such as when a person is mugged or assaulted in a parking lot.
Who’s Liable for Parking Lot Injuries?
If an accident took place between two vehicles, one driver may have been negligent. Since Massachusetts is a no-fault auto insurance state, only a serious crash with injuries will lead to a claim against the at-fault driver. Still, there may be more than one person responsible for the accident. For example, if the parking lot owner did not design the parking lot in a way that allowed for safe traffic flow, the owner may be partly liable for the victim’s injuries.
Parking lot owners are responsible for basic safety in their lot. For example, if the owner tried to save money by ignoring broken lights, he may be held partially responsible if someone is attacked in his parking lot under the cover of darkness. He may also be found at fault if someone falls in the parking lot because the owner failed to correct defects in the roadway, such as a pothole. When a slip-and-fall is caused by snow and ice on walkways, the owner may be held responsible if he did not ensure the lot was clear to local ordinance standards.
However, if the parking lot owner hired a snow removal company that did not perform the job properly, that company may be found at fault.
In some cases, such as in city parking lots, the government may be partly at fault. These cases are the most complicated, as government agencies often have immunity from lawsuits. If they are allowed, strict rules must be adhered to when filing a lawsuit against the government, or the case will be thrown out of court.
We've offered crucial support and guidance to individuals who have suffered injuries, ensuring their financial and emotional well-being.
The Importance of Speaking to a Burlington Premises Liability Lawyer
Injuries that result from parking lot accidents can be serious, particularly if a pedestrian has been hit by a vehicle, attacked, or slipped and fallen. If you have been injured in a parking lot, please contact a Burlington parking lot injury attorney at DiBella Law Offices, P.C., at (781) 262-3338. We’ll go over the details of your case with you and determine if you have a valid basis for a lawsuit. If you do, we will fight for your rights and help you hold any at-fault parties responsible for your injuries so you can focus on your recovery.
Get in touch with us today to get a free consultation.
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