No matter where they occur, car accidents have the potential to do serious bodily harm to drivers and passengers alike. It may surprise you to hear that most car accidents occur in places where vehicles are traveling at low speeds, such as parking lots at garages. These accidents, like any others, can create liability if caused by another person’s negligence or recklessness.
If another party is liable for your injuries, you can recover for them through a personal injury lawsuit. You can file your car accident injury lawsuit even if the accident occurs on private property, such as a parking lot. You could also name the parking lot owner or maintenance company responsible for the area if their negligence contributed to your accident. Car accident injury victims in Fort Worth only have two years from the date of the accident to file their lawsuit, so you should act quickly in order to recover.
Your best first step towards recovery for your injuries is to call the Fort Worth parking garage and lot accident lawyers at The Queenan Law Firm, P.C. We offer free initial consultations for new clients. To hear more, give us a call at (817) 476-1797.
Driver Liability for a Parking Garage or Lot Accident in Fort Worth
Liability in a car accident depends on who is at fault for causing the accident. In most car accidents, at least one driver is at fault for causing the accident. Drivers are at fault when they behave negligently or recklessly behind the wheel, putting others in their vicinity in danger. In the setting of a parking lot, where there are a number of cars moving at slow speeds and maneuvering carefully, one false move can create an accident.
Below are just a few of the ways in which a driver can be at fault for causing an accident in a parking garage or lot in Fort Worth:
- Failing to stop at stop signs or intersections
- Speeding beyond the designated or reasonable limit
- Reversing out of a parking spot without checking for traffic
- Distracted driving while looking for a spot or at a phone
- Failing to abide by one-way signs
- Pulling out of a parking aisle without checking for oncoming traffic
Other Responsible Parties for Parking Lot and Parking Garage Accidents in Fort Worth
Liability might not end with the driver. The operator of the parking lot and the owner of the property also take on responsibility to make the premises safe for drivers who may use it. This means taking reasonable steps to cure any dangerous conditions or providing notice (such as signage) to drivers about these conditions.
For example, mirrors should be installed to allow for drivers to look around blind spots. Proper speed limit and stop signs should be in place to regulate traffic around the parking area. All areas of the garage that do not have adequate natural light should be artificially lit to sustain visibility. There should be reasonable protocols in place for clearing parking lots of ice in case of inclement weather. If a failure in any of these areas caused or contributed to an accident that left you with injuries, you could have a case against the responsible party.
Determining who that responsible party is can be difficult. Sometimes, property owners contract with third party entities such as snow removal companies or security firms. In those instances, the property owner might have transferred liability for accidents from these issues to the third party. You can name as many responsible parties as possible in your potential lawsuit. To identify who bears liability for your car accident injuries, speak to one of our Fort Worth parking garage and lot accident lawyers today.
Damages for a Forth Worth Parking Garage and Lot Accident Lawsuit
To be successful in a car accident lawsuit, you will have to show that you sustained injuries as a result of the accident. You will also have to demonstrate the physical, emotional, and financial impacts that the injury caused. This will directly impact your recovery value.
It is difficult to estimate how much your suit can be worth without specific information about the case. Damages can compensate an injury victim for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The only way to get a reasonable estimate of what you stand to gain by pursuing legal action is to speak with an experienced Forth Worth parking garage and lot accident lawyer like the ones at The Queenan Law Firm, P.C.
Statute of Limitations for Parking Garage and Lot Car Accident Lawsuits in Fort Worth
If you hope to recover for your car accident injuries, you will have to abide by the time limits for filing under state law. In Texas, potential plaintiffs have two years from the date of their accident to file their civil injury lawsuit in the appropriate court. Lawsuits that are filed after the two-year deadline are likely to be thrown out by the judge before the plaintiff even has the chance to make their case.
Two years may seem like a long time, but preparing and filing your Fort Worth car accident lawsuit can be time-consuming. To have the best chance of success, you should contact an attorney early, so they can help you with identifying defendants, compiling information, assessing the damages in your case, and preparing your official filings. If you feel that you may be in danger of losing your case to a statutory deadline, call our Fort Worth parking garage and lot accident lawyers today.
Our Fort Worth Parking Garage and Lot Accident Lawyers Are Here For You
When you are struggling with injuries sustained in a car accident, you deserve qualified, competent legal advice from The Queenan Law Firm, P.C. To schedule your first appointment with our Fort Worth parking garage and lot accident attorneys for free, call us today at (817) 476-1797.