Can I File a Claim if I Have Slipped And Fallen in a Parking Lot?
Slip-and-fall accidents can be more devastating than most people realize. Wet or otherwise unstable surfaces can present tremendous risks to your safety, especially when you’re caught off-guard. Typically, incidents like this can be avoided by the removal of hazardous objects and substances from the floors during cleaning. However, you don’t have much control over such practices when you’re on someone else’sproperty. If you havesustained a serious injury due to slick conditions at a parking lot, it is within your rights to contact a slip and fall lawyer to obtain the proper compensation for your injuries.Even if you were in a business’s or individual’s parking lot at the time of your fall, you are entitled to compensation. Here’s what you need to know about filing a claim in such a scenario.
What to Know About Slip-and-Fall Accidents in Parking Lots
Most people don’t think about the potential of slipping and falling in a parking lot. This is because we often imagine them to be wide open spaces with little to no obstacles present on the ground. Still, even though you may not see the “Wet Floor” signs or similar notices you would find in an enclosed building, this does not mean that there are no risks whatsoever. Some of the most common hazards that go unnoticed in parking lots are:
- Uneven pavement. Broken or generally uneven pavement can cause people to trip and fall. Bumps or ridges in the road can also pose unique risks to bicyclists and strollers.
- Poor lighting. Dim lights make it difficult to see walking hazards, increasing the risk of injury at night.
- Inadequate drainage. After it rains, water can accumulate and create puddles that cause people to slip.
- Broken, uneven stairways and ramps.Broken concrete or asphalt that is in disrepair can present even more tripping hazards to pedestrians.These issues can also cause more extensive injuries due to the incline of the stairway or ramp.
If your experience was caused by any of the above descriptions, you have the right to file a claim and receive compensation for your injuries.
Filing for a Parking Lot Slip-and-Fall Accident
There are three critical factors to address in your documentation for a parking lot slip-and-fall incident:
- The owners of the parking lot had a duty of care to provide visitors a safe environment to park and walk.
- The owners violated that duty of care, and by doing so, were guilty of negligence.
- This negligence was the direct cause of your injuries.
As the victim, it is your responsibility to prove liability in your case. All of the above factors are crucial to developing a successful claim that will earn you the compensation you need to fund your recovery and to hold the negligent parties responsible. The development of such a strong case is quite difficult, however. For this reason, you must hire professional legal help.
Your lawyer will assist you in understanding the implications and applicability of the premises liability law. They’ll help you to exercise your rights under this legislation to pursue legal action against the individual that was responsible for your slip-and-fall incident on someone else’s property. If you have recently been injured in such circumstances, get in touch with a lawyer today to explore your legal options for resolution.
