Parking lots and parking garages in Hillsborough County can be dangerous for cars and pedestrians. Many mistakenly believe that since vehicles move at low speeds in a parking garage, they are safe, but that’s not necessarily true.
During busy holiday seasons, tight parking garages can become disastrous. According to the National Safety Council, over 60,000 people are injured, and 500 are killed in parking lot accidents annually.
If you were injured in a Tampa parking lot, you need legal assistance from a knowledgeable Tampa Parking Lot Injury Attorney. They can serve as a trusted source of legal guidance in your time of need and help you make well-informed decisions.
A Tampa Parking Lot Injury Attorney Can Help You Recover Compensation
Under Florida law, parking lot injury victims can seek damage recovery from the at-fault driver. Whether you were a pedestrian or another driver, if you were injured in a parking lot accident, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim.
Our Tampa Parking Lot Injury Attorneys take personal injury cases seriously and believe accident victims deserve the maximum compensation. We use our extensive resources, skills, and legal proficiency to achieve the best possible outcome.
Here’s what you can excerpt from working with a Tampa Parking Lot Injury Attorney:
- Conduct a thorough investigation to determine who was at fault
- Gather supporting evidence for your claim to prove negligence and liability
- Handle all dealing with insurance companies
- Ensure you file a claim within the time limit
- Assess your damages and calculate the maximum value for your claim
- Negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf
- Represent you in court if you cannot reach a desirable agreement with the insurance company or opposing party
Common Causes of Parking Lot Accidents in Tampa
Most parking lot injuries are caused due to negligence on someone’s part. Your Tampa Parking Lot Injury Attorney can help you establish who is liable, whether it’s another driver, the parking lot owner, or a company.
Common causes of Tampa parking lot injuries include:
- A driver failing to check for other vehicles or pedestrians before pulling out of a parking space
- Distracted driving
- Texting
- On a phone call
- Changing the music
- Backing out of a parking spot without checking blind spots
- A pedestrian tripped due to a big pothole
- Speeding cars that strike pedestrians
- A driver racing to get to parking space
- Two vehicles hitting each other while backing out
- Ignoring stop signs or directional signs
- Driving the wrong way in the parking lot
Most parking lot accidents are preventable if drivers pay attention and slow down. If you sustained injuries in a parking lot accident, contact a Tampa Parking Lot Injury Attorney. They can help you gather the necessary evidence to establish that the at-fault party was negligent.
Do I Need to Call the Police for a Tampa Parking Lot Accident?
Florida law requires all parties involved in the accident to remain on the scene. Therefore, you should exchange contact information and get the other driver’s license, insurance, and car details.
If there is only minor damage to the vehicles, police may not respond to the scene. However, it’s still a good idea to call the police to file an official incident report.
If someone is injured, police must respond to the accident scene, regardless of if the parking lot is private property.
Be sure to take pictures of your injuries, property damage, and the accident scene while you wait for the police to arrive. Also, speak with any nearby witness to get contact information.
After calling the police, get medical attention as soon as you can. If you want to file a claim with your PIP coverage, you must get medical treatment within 14 days to receive benefits. Any delays in seeking medical care could hurt your claim by casting doubt on whether your injuries are as serious as you say.
After getting medical treatment, call a Tampa Parking Lot Injury Attorney. They will advise you and the next best move to take.
What Damages Can I Seek After a Tampa Parking Lot Accident?
Generally, you can seek the same damage compensation as a car accident claim after a parking lot injury. For example, you might be entitled to seek compensation for the following damages:
- Past, current, and future medical costs
- Personal care
- Nursing care
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Disabilities
- Long-term impairment
- Diminished quality of life
A Tampa parking lot injury attorney can help you identify all damages you are entitled to.
Who Is Liable After a Parking Lot Injury in Tampa?
The driver who caused the accident can be legally responsible for your damages. However, other parties could be liable or share liability for your parking lot injury.
For example, if an unsafe parking lot condition caused the crash, the parking lot owner might be liable. A Tampa parking lot injury attorney can analyze your case to determine all liable parties. Then we can hold them accountable for your injuries and damages and maximize your compensation.
Tampa Potholes in Parking Lots
Cars are not the only way to sustain parking lot injuries. Potholes in parking lots can be dangerous to pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. If they are left unattended, someone could get seriously injured. If you were injured by a pothole in the Tampa parking lot, you could also seek compensation for damages.
A Tampa Parking Lot Injury Attorney can advise you on whether you have a valid ground for a claim. Choosing strong legal representation can mean the difference between winning or losing your case.
Leaving Potholes in a Tampa Parking Lot Is Negligence
Under Florida Statue §768.10, a company or individual who fails to maintain their parking lot can get liable for parking lot injuries. It’s illegal to leave a pothole deeper or wider than two feet unrepaired or without necessary measures to protect the public.
You will need evidence to show the property owner’s business was negligent by failing to maintain the parking lot. A Tampa Parking Lot Injury Attorney can help you find all evidence to establish negligence.
Then, you can hold the owners accountable for any accidents you incur on their property. Additionally, your Tampa Parking Lot Injury Attorney knows how to demonstrate that their carelessness directly caused your injuries. Typically, they can do this by establishing the following:
- The parking lot owner or business should have known that the hazard was in the parking lot (such as a pothole, uneven pavement, poor lighting, etc.)
- The party had a duty to repair or maintain the hazard but failed to do so
- The hazard caused your trip and fall accident.
- You consequently suffered injuries and other losses from the accident.
Contact a Tampa Parking Lot Injury Attorney Today for Your Free Consultation
Call us today to learn more about your legal options and what a Tampa Parking Lot Injury Attorney can do for you.
If you sustained injuries in a parking lot due to someone else’s negligence, our Tampa Parking Lot Injury Attorney would fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Call today to schedule your free initial consultation.
