In lively urban and suburban communities, the parking lot business can be a lucrative one to be in — but there are certain risks involved with owning a parking lot.
For example, many people who use parking lots expect there to be proper security measures in place to keep them safe. Which begs the question, is an individual able to sue the owner of a parking lot for an injury that occurred on the property?
The answer, like many things in law is that it depends. Although the attacker is certainly liable, they often do not have the ability to pay any judgment that is won. Under some circumstances the condition of the premises contributes to the danger. Is the lighting inadequate? Has there been trouble in the past that was ingnored? Have the police suggested the need for more security?
Leemon + Royer has over 30 years experience in handling premises liability claims. We can help.
The liability of owning a parking lot
As with any type of business, there is a certain amount of liability that a parking lot owner has to protect the members of the public who use the facility. According to Security Magazine, parking lot owners or parking structure owners must provide reasonable levels of protection for those who are going to be driving in parking lots or walking through them as they head into town to take care of their business. If an individual is injured on the property and that injury could have easily been prevented by simple, practical and reasonable measures, than the parking lot owner can be held liable for the injury.
Security measures that should be in place to reduce the chance of injury
Recognizing that they can be held liable for injuries that are sustained on the premises, many parking lot owners invest in security measures to prevent injuries or incidents from happening on their property. Some of these security measures include:
- Installing adequate lighting throughout the entire facility.
- Investing in security equipment, such as video cameras, to monitor activity in the facility.
- Adding additional signage to provide information about the exits and the flow of traffic within the parking structure.
- Installing emergency phones in various locations throughout the facility so parking lot users can access them as quickly as possible should they need to.
Who is responsible in the event of a parking lot or ramp injury?
Determining responsibility in the case of a parking lot injury can be challenging, which is why you should work with an experienced attorney who can help you navigate your way through the legal system. With the right team of lawyers on your side, you can hold the negligent party accountable and make sure that you get the compensation that you need to cover your medical costs, lost wages and the impact the injury had on your quality of life.
Injuries that occur in a parking lot or parking structure can range from minor cuts and scratches after a slip-and-fall to catastrophic injuries that are the result of poor lighting conditions and a collision with a moving vehicle. If you have been injured in a parking lot and you feel that your injury was the result of negligence on the part of the parking lot owner, then now is the time to seek legal action. Our team of attorneys will work tirelessly to collect the evidence necessary to prove your case and get you the compensation you need to move forward from this traumatic event.
For more information on catastrophic personal injury law, contact our law firm today.
