Walking through a parking lot isn’t an activity that’s normally considered dangerous. However, when hazardous conditions are present, being a pedestrian in a parking lot could mean being at high risk of a slip and fall. At Tetzel Law, our personal injury attorneys have experience working with people like you who have become the unfortunate victims of others’ negligence in parking lots. To learn more about your rights after a slip and fall accident and how our legal team can support you, reach out to us today.
Common Causes of Parking Lot Slip and Falls
Parking lot slip and fall accidents almost always occur as a result of a correctable hazard or unsafe condition, and therefore these accidents are usually fully preventable. Examples of hazardous conditions that can lead to a slip and fall accident in a parking lot include:
- Unremoved snow and ice
- Poor lighting
- Uneven walking surfaces, such as potholes and depressions
- Ramps that do not meet building standards—i.e. do not have a handrail or a handrail that is secure, do not meet slope requirements, etc.
The above list is not inclusive; if you have been in a parking lot slip and fall accident that you believe was caused by a hazard not listed above, you may still have a case. Call our lawyers immediately for a free consultation to learn more.
Liability for a Parking Lot Slip and Fall
Liability for a parking lot slip and fall is based on negligence—the failure to exercise the proper duty of care. Owners of parking lots have a legal responsibility to maintain their parking lot in a reasonably safe condition, and to remedy any known hazards—such as the accumulation of snow and ice—within a reasonable amount of time. (Note that in some cases, statute determines what is “reasonable.” For example, in Boston, property owners are required to remove snow from sidewalks and curb ramps within three hours after it stops snowing.)
If you can prove that the party responsible for maintenance of the parking lot knew or should have known of the hazard that led to your slip and fall accident, yet failed to remedy the hazard within a reasonable amount of time, you may be able to hold them liable for the full value of your damages.
Legal Actions to Take After a Slip and Fall Accident
After being involved in a slip and fall accident, there are a few things that you can do to protect your right to a claim. Actions to take after being injured include seeking medical care, following your doctor’s orders, gathering evidence, documenting your injuries, reporting the accident to the owner of the property, and calling an attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney can take over the investigatory elements of your case and gather evidence for your claim. Your attorney will also build your case, determine and prove fault, calculate the value of your economic and noneconomic damages, and be responsible for negotiating your settlement amount.
Call Tetzel Law for a Free Consultation
At Tetzel Law, we always offer free consultations for people who have been injured and are looking for legal help. What’s more, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means that we don’t get paid unless you win. To learn more about how we can help and your legal rights, call our personal injury law firm today at (617) 742-1700 or send us a message online.