Most parking lot accidents in Orlando are fender benders that cause inconvenience but not much harm. Sometimes, however, serious injuries occur.
At Colling Gilbert Wright, our attorneys could provide you with skilled legal representation if you or your child were badly injured in a parking garage collision. Over several decades, we have achieved excellent outcomes for our clients. We are the law firm other lawyers trust to handle their personal injury claims, and we could help you, too.
How Do Parking Area Crashes Happen?
Drivers in parking lots may be distracted or in a hurry, leading to overly aggressive or impatient driving that can cause accidents. Parking lots may be poorly lit or poorly marked, and many lots have no clear space for pedestrian traffic.
Parking garage collisions in Orlando commonly occur when a driver pulls into or out of a space without first checking for pedestrians or oncoming traffic. Sometimes a crash occurs when a vehicle travels the wrong way in a lot with designated one-way lanes.
When collisions between vehicles happen in parking areas, they are usually at relatively low speeds. However, depending on the point of impact and the position of an occupant in the vehicle, serious injuries can occur even when the vehicles are not badly damaged. When pedestrians are involved, accidents often result in severe injuries.
Important Steps After a Parking Lot Crash
If you are involved in a parking lot accident, call the police and notify the lot owner, if known. However, do not speculate about the cause of the crash, attribute blame, apologize, or accept responsibility. Speaking with an experienced vehicle accident attorney from The Florida Firm before you give a recorded statement to an insurance company is crucial.
You should collect witness contact information when possible, and take photographs of the scene, the damage to the vehicles, and any features of the lot such as light poles, signage, painted lines, and curbs.
Do not delay having a medical evaluation. Accept ambulance transport if it is offered, or have someone drive you to an emergency room or urgent care center. A prompt screening is critical for your well-being, and the medical record generated immediately after the incident is valuable evidence supporting your claim.
Determining Liability for the Incident
When you come to us for help after you or your child suffered injuries in a parking area crash, our Orlando attorneys could immediately begin investigating the incident. We could look for evidence that another party’s negligence led to the accident.
Negligence is the failure to use appropriate caution to avoid harm to others. Negligent drivers are liable for behavior such as speeding and distracted or aggressive driving. The lot owner may also be liable for negligence if the parking lot was improperly designed, signage was unclear, or lighting was insufficient to illuminate the area.
If you are partially at fault for a wreck, Florida Statutes § 768.81 allows you to sue for damages as long as you were not over 50 percent responsible. However, a percentage equal to your portion of blame will be subtracted from your damages.
How the Claims Process Works
In any vehicle accident in Florida, you will first submit a claim to your PIP insurance carrier. If you do not own a car and have no PIP, you should claim against the driver’s PIP.
The state’s no-fault system restricts lawsuits against other drivers. Therefore, if the party responsible for the accident was another driver, you cannot sue them unless your injuries lead to permanent impairment or scarring. However, if the responsible party is the owner or manager of the parking lot, or the manufacturer of an involved vehicle, you can sue them even if you fully recover from your injuries.
Our Orlando attorneys could review your medical records to ensure you meet the legal threshold to bring a parking garage accident lawsuit against a negligent driver. In many cases, our investigation may reveal evidence that allows you to sue more than one party. Our firm has a well-established record of obtaining large verdicts and settlements for our clients because we explore every option to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injury.
Speak With an Orlando Attorney About Seeking Compensation After a Parking Area Crash
Parking lot accidents in Orlando can cause significant harm, but The Florida Firm is here to help. We only collect fees and expenses if we obtain compensation for you, so you do not have to worry about any up-front costs. Call us today to schedule a free consultation with our car accident team.