People who are driving in a parking lot can be just as susceptible to car accidents as people who are driving on a busy highway. Parking lot car accidents often occur at lower speeds and with less damage than car accidents on the road, but they are not insignificant — a car accident that occurs in a parking lot can result in injuries and financial distress too.
One way in which parking lot accidents differ from typical collision cases is in liability. As in any car accident case, one of the drivers will often be primarily liable for damages. But in cases of parking lot car accidents, it is more common for a property owner to share liability for a victim’s damages.
Driver Liability
Often, one driver will be primarily at fault in a parking lot car accident case. These collisions can be the result of typical reckless driving behavior such as speeding, running a stop sign, or distracted driving. These behaviors can be especially hazardous in a parking lot because the vehicles are numerous and close together. Negligent driving behaviors that are unique to parking lot car accident cases include not looking while turning into or backing out of a parking space, or cutting off another driver to get to a space.
Premises Liability
Parking lot car accident cases could resemble a premises liability case more than a typical motor vehicle collision claim under some circumstances. Although many parking lot accidents occur because of the negligence of drivers, a parking lot that is not designed safely can contribute to a collision as well. When the design or maintenance of a parking lot directly contributes to an accident, injury victims may be able to pursue a premises liability claim.
A property owner could be liable for damages in a parking lot accident case because of:
- Inadequate lighting
- Lack of signage
- Poor design
- Slippery or uneven road surface
Insurance Coverage for Car Accidents in New York
New York is a “no-fault” insurance state, so drivers can often file a claim with their own insurance company to recover compensation following a car accident. If a parking lot car accident was caused by the negligence of a driver, an insurance payment may be the only source of compensation an injury victim can rely on. However, an injury victim may be able to recover insurance benefits and pursue additional compensation through a premises liability claim if the maintenance of the property was a factor in the collision.
The Foley Griffin legal team is experienced in car accident claims, premises liability claims, and negotiating with insurance companies. If you were injured because of a collision in a parking lot, contact us to discuss your case and learn how we can help you recover compensation.
To schedule a free case evaluation with our attorneys, complete our contact form or call (888) 966-8480.
Meta Title: Third Parties Who Could be Liable in Cases of Work Accidents
Meta Description: An on-the-job accident could be the fault of parties other than the employer. Contact Foley Griffin to schedule a free case evaluation with our attorneys.
Social Title: Third Parties Who Could be Liable in Cases of Work Accidents
Social Description: A work injury victim may be able to recover additional compensation through a third-party work accident claim if someone who is not their employer is responsible for an accident. Read our blog for more information:
Third Parties Who Could be Liable in Cases of Work Accidents
In cases of work accidents, many employees can rely on the workers’ compensation system in order to recover financial support for their injury damages. Workers’ compensation benefits are provided in most work injury cases, regardless of who is at fault. When an employer’s negligence is the cause of a work injury, employees are often not able to sue their employer for damages in addition to their workers’ compensation benefits. However, a work injury victim may be able to recover additional compensation through a third-party work accident claim if someone who is not their employer is responsible for an accident.
Safety Violations and Inspector Liability
In some roles — especially in hazardous professions like construction and manufacturing — regular safety inspections are required by law and company policy. It is the responsibility of safety inspectors to identify any potential dangers and correct them. If these parties fail to complete their responsibilities, they could be liable for any resulting injuries.
Product Liability Cases: Designers, Manufacturers, and Retailers
A business that designs, manufactures, or sells equipment to another business for employee use could be liable if their equipment was defective or dangerous. These cases resemble product liability cases which focus on negligence in the creation of an item. A plaintiff must prove that their injuries resulted from a design or manufacturing flaw in these cases. Cases of dangerous equipment could be the fault of a safety inspector or regulatory agency too.
Car Accident Cases
Many professions require driving as part of employees’ everyday job duties. In these roles, car accidents could be considered as an expected occupational risk. A person who was able to recover workers’ compensation benefits because a car accident occurred during work could receive additional compensation by filing a claim with their insurance company or pursuing a car accident case.
Premises Liability Cases
A home or business owner could be liable for a worker’s injuries if the conditions on their property contributed to an on-the-job accident. Many employees work in places that are not owned by their employer: Maintenance workers, contractors, and cleaning staff are only a few examples. The property owners have a legal responsibility to keep their home or business safe for visitors, including workers. If negligence in property maintenance causes an employee’s injuries, the victim could recover compensation (in addition to workers’ compensation) through a premises liability claim.
The attorneys of Foley Griffin represent people who have been injured on the job in third-party work accident cases. Contact us to discuss filing a claim or for a referral to a workers’ compensation attorney.
If you are interested in scheduling a free case evaluation with our legal team, send us a message or call (888) 966-8480.