Florida Parking Lot Accidents and Injuries

We have all seen that person speeding through the parking lot, running shopping center stop signs, or cutting off another car to get a parking space. A driver may also fail to carefully back out and crash into another vehicle or even a shopper walking behind the vehicle. Unfortunately, this type of reckless behavior can sometimes result in severe consequences for innocent pedestrians and drivers. Here are some considerations regarding Florida parking lot accidents and injuries:

Distracted Driving

According to a 2016 poll by the National Safety Council, 2 out of 3 drivers are distracted while driving in parking lots. The drivers often focus on using their cell phones to make calls, text or use navigation features. The Counsel also found that an average of 50,000 crashes occurred in parking lots and parking garages which resulted in 500 or more deaths and over 60,0000 injuries.

Other Causes of Parking Lot Accidents

• Drivers often have collisions when they go the wrong way down a parking row.
• Two drivers racing to one spot can also collide.
• Driver’s backing out without looking can hit a pedestrian or another vehicle which is driving past.
• Opening a car door as another car in moving into an empty parking space can cause an accident.
• Someone driving too fast may not have time to stop before hitting a pedestrian or another vehicle.
• A distracted pedestrian may step out in front of a moving vehicle without looking.

Types of Injuries

• An individual involved in a parking lot accident could sustain the same injuries as someone hurt on the road. This can include everything from mild bruising and tenderness to broken bones, soft tissue injuries, internal organ wounds, and permanent physical damage to death.

Who is at Fault?

• Florida is a “no-fault” driving state which means that when you are involved in an accident, and the injuries are not significant, each person’s insurance will cover their individual damages. However, if you are severely or permanently injured, you may have a basis to pursue damages against the responsible party.

• To determine who is to blame for the accident, Florida law will look at the parties’ respective negligence and reckless acts.

Being injured due to someone else’s negligence can be physically, emotionally, and financially devastating. To get the compensation you deserve you will need to the advocacy and advice of an experienced personal injury attorney. At the Draper Law Office, we are here to fight for you! Please contact us to schedule a free consultation. We invite you to learn more about our firm here.