Under Pennsylvania’s premises liability laws, parking lot owners have the responsibility of properly inspecting and maintaining their property to protect passersby. So, if you were injured in a parking lot even though you took reasonable care, then you may be entitled to receive financial compensation via a personal injury claim. Read more to find out what hazards commonly lead to a parking lot accident and how a proficient York County, PA premises liability attorney at Ilkhanoff & Silverstein can help determine your legal options.
What hazards commonly cause parking lot accidents in Pennsylvania?
If there is a hazard in a parking lot that can cause an injury, the property owner must fix it within a reasonable amount of time. For example, if weather conditions resulted in hazards such as ice, snow, or otherwise slippery liquids covering the walking and driving surfaces, the responsibility to clear this up falls on the owner. Additionally, the following are other types of hazards that commonly cause parking lot accidents in the state of Pennsylvania.
- Poor lighting.
- Uneven pavement on walking surfaces.
- Potholes on driving surfaces.
- Loose debris left uncleared on walking and driving surfaces.
- Dangerous substances left uncleared on walking and driving surfaces.
- Negligent signage.
- Inadequate security.
Do I qualify for compensation if I was injured in a parking lot accident?
If you believe that your parking lot accident could have been easily avoided if the property owner followed through on their duty of care, then you may hold the right to receive compensation via a personal injury claim. Such damages that you may recover include, overwhelming medical bills, lost wages, and your impacted quality of life. To fulfill your burden of proof, you must collect enough evidence that defends your claim that your injury is directly correlated to the property owner’s negligence. Follow the below steps immediately after your accident to ensure that this is possible:
- Call 911: a law enforcement officer will call for medical attention on your behalf, They will fill out a police report, which you should retain a copy of.
- Document the scene: take photos and videos of your injuries, damages, and hazards that contributed to your accident.
- Collect witnesses’ contact information: ask for their name, phone number, and email address. They can provide witness testimonies later on.
- Seek medical attention: do so even if you do not notice injuries, as some injuries, such as concussions, are not visibly or immediately noticeable.
- Gather medical documentation: these documents should include the date, time, and severity of your injuries. Also, this should include medical bills that show the costs of your treatments.
- Contact a talented York County, PA personal injury attorney: our firm can help you collect any remaining evidence, such as surveillance footage, along with work through your case from start to finish.
CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED PENNSYLVANIA FIRM
If you need legal assistance with personal injury cases, criminal defense matters, family law issues, estate planning law matters, and more, contact Ilkhanoff & Silverstein today.
