Know Your Rights: Florida Parking Lot Accidents

Parking lots can get hectic, making them a prime location for accidents to occur. Whether someone was in a rush to get home or distracted, if another driver crashed into you in a parking lot, you may be wondering what rights you have to pursue legal action due to the fact that the accident did not take place on the road. However, even if you are in a parking lot, you still have the right to file a personal injury claim if you are hit by another driver. 

Hersh Kirtman Injury Law is a personal injury law firm with experience helping clients who have been involved in parking lot accidents in Florida. To get help building a strong personal injury claim after your parking lot accident, contact one of our trusted lawyers today. 

Do You Have the Right to File a Personal Injury Claim After a Parking Lot Accident?

Just as is the case with a motor vehicle accident on the roadway, if a vehicle crashes into another in a parking lot, the victim is within their legal rights to pursue legal action by filing a personal injury claim. This is because drivers owe a duty of reasonable care, such that they must operate their vehicles safely so as not to harm others, even if they are not in the roadway but instead in a parking lot. 

Parking lot crashes typically involve two cars backing up at the same time into one another, one car backing into an oncoming vehicle, cars failing to safely turn in front of oncoming traffic, more than one car entering a single parking spot, and cars striking pedestrians. In some cases, drivers may even be uncertain about their rights or responsibilities, such as what to do if you hit a parked car in Florida.

When a crash does occur in a parking lot, there is generally one or more drivers who violated a rule of the road and caused the crash to occur. The person who caused the crash is responsible and may be held liable for the damages that resulted.

Like with all claims,  victims of parking lot accidents must file their personal injury claim within the state’s statute of limitations. As of March 24, 2023, Fla. Stat. § 95.11, was amended to reduce the statute of limitations for personal injury claims from four years down to only two years. While two years may seem like a long period of time, the claims process can be lengthy, and it is important that you get started as soon as possible to ensure that you do not lose your right to pursue compensation.

When filing your personal injury claim, you may pursue damages for the losses you have suffered due to the parking lot accident. The damages you may be eligible to collect include the following:

• Medical expenses: Victims of parking lot accidents often suffer injuries that may result in costly medical bills, surgeries, or medications. Victims should be compensated for the cost of medical care relating to their injuries resulting from the crash.
• Lost wages: Parking lot accident victims may be unable to work while they recover from their injuries. As a result, they should be compensated for all present and future wages they may lose as a result of the negligence of the party that hit them.
• Property damage: If a victim’s property was at all damaged in the parking lot accident, they should be compensated for the cost to repair or replace it.
• Pain and suffering: Being injured in a parking lot crash can be emotionally and physically distressing. Victims should be compensated for the pain and suffering they have had to endure.

To further discuss your legal rights when pursuing justice after a parking lot accident, reach out to a trusted personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to begin working on your claim. When you work with an experienced lawyer, they can help you through each step of the personal injury claims process and negotiate for the fair settlement you deserve following your accident. 

Contact a Florida Parking Lot Accident Lawyer Today

While a parking lot may not seem like a dangerous location, accidents can still occur. If you have been involved in a parking lot accident that has left you harmed, you have the right to pursue justice by filing a personal injury claim. 

At Hersh Kirtman Injury Law, we work hard to provide our clients with the legal representation they need to build a strong personal injury claim after they have suffered harm in a parking lot accident. To schedule a free case evaluation with one of our Florida parking lot accident lawyers, contact us today by filling out our contact form or giving us a call at (561) 208-3700.