Fighting for Victims in
Times of Need
Times of Need
Parking Lot and Garage Accidents
New York State had over 2.8 million registered cars in 2023, with many drivers relying on garages and parking lots every day. Parking garages and parking lots exist at shopping centers, apartment buildings, office complexes, train stations, hospitals, and schools to offer convenience, but serious accidents can happen here.
Because vehicles typically move at lower speeds in these spaces, many people assume accidents there are minor. In reality, parking lot and garage accidents frequently cause significant injuries, especially to pedestrians.
If you were hurt in a parking lot or garage due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel represents injured individuals throughout Westchester County and surrounding counties in cases involving vehicle collisions, pedestrian injuries, and unsafe property conditions in parking facilities.
How Parking Lot and Garage Accidents Commonly Occur
One of the most frequent scenarios involves drivers backing out of spaces without fully appreciating blind spots. Even with backup cameras, limited angles and momentary distractions can prevent a driver from seeing an approaching vehicle or pedestrian.
Internal “intersections” inside parking lots create another source of danger. Drivers may assume they have the right of way and enter crossing lanes too quickly. Because stop signs and traffic controls are often absent or inconsistent, determining fault can become complicated after a collision.
Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable. Shoppers are often struck by drivers focused on finding parking rather than scanning for foot traffic. Even a slow-moving vehicle can cause serious injuries if it knocks someone to the ground.
Not all parking lot injuries involve vehicles. Slip and fall accidents are common in both open lots and enclosed garages. Oil stains, potholes, cracked pavement, uneven concrete, accumulated ice, and poor drainage create dangerous walking conditions.
In structured garages, multi-vehicle accidents are also frequent. Tight ramps and reduced sightlines make it difficult to see approaching traffic. During busy periods, drivers may become impatient, increasing the likelihood of impact.
Determining Responsibility
Responsibility for a car accident depends on the specific facts surrounding the incident.
In many cases, a negligent driver is at fault. In other situations, the condition of the property itself may have contributed to the injury. Poor lighting, failure to remove snow and ice, defective pavement, or unsafe design can shift responsibility toward the property owner or management company.
Commercial properties typically have maintenance obligations. They may employ security personnel, maintain inspection logs, or contract for snow removal services. If these systems were not properly implemented, liability may extend beyond the driver involved in the crash.
Publicly owned garages and municipal lots introduce another layer of complexity, often involving specific notice requirements and procedural deadlines.
Injuries Resulting From Parking Lot Accidents
Even when vehicle damage appears minor, physical injuries can be significant. Low-speed impacts often produce whiplash, herniated discs, and soft tissue injuries that worsen over time. Pedestrian knockdowns frequently lead to fractures of the wrist, ankle, or hip as victims instinctively try to break their fall. Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries, are also common. Slip and fall accidents in garages can cause shoulder tears, spinal injuries, and facial trauma due to direct impact with concrete.
The Importance of Acting Quickly
Parking facilities, especially commercial ones, often rely on surveillance cameras. However, footage is frequently overwritten within days. Maintenance records, incident reports, and witness recollections can also fade quickly.
If you are injured in a parking lot or garage, taking prompt action can make a significant difference:
- Seek medical care immediately, even if your symptoms seem minor at first.
- Notify the property owner or manager and request documentation of the incident.
- Contact law enforcement if a vehicle collision occurred.
- Photograph the scene, including lighting conditions, pavement defects, vehicle positions, and any visible hazards.
- Gather contact information for witnesses.
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies before speaking with counsel.
Proving a Claim
To recover compensation, it must generally be shown that a duty of care existed, that this duty was breached, and that the breach directly caused your injuries.
In vehicle-related claims, evidence may include accident reports, vehicle damage patterns, witness testimony, and, when necessary, accident reconstruction analysis.
In premises liability cases, proof may involve examining inspection schedules, maintenance logs, lighting conditions, weather records, and whether the property owner had notice of a dangerous condition.
Compensation for Parking Lot and Garage Injuries
When negligence causes injury, the goal is to restore the injured person as fully as possible. Depending on the circumstances, compensation may address pain and suffering, emergency medical care, ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and incidental costs. Each case is unique. The extent of recovery depends on the severity of injuries and the long-term impact on your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
If two drivers collide while both are backing out, how is fault determined?
Fault depends on the specific conduct of each driver. Both may share responsibility, or one may have failed to exercise reasonable care. Vehicle positioning, witness accounts, and surveillance footage often help clarify what occurred.
Do traffic laws apply inside a parking lot?
Yes. Although parking lots are often privately owned, drivers are still expected to operate their vehicles safely. Insurance claims are typically handled similarly to roadway accidents, though property owner liability may also be relevant.
Can inadequate lighting make a property owner responsible for an accident?
Potentially. If poor lighting prevented a driver or pedestrian from seeing a hazard and the condition existed long enough to be corrected, liability may extend to the property owner or manager.
What if I tripped over a defect that had been present for a long time?
If a dangerous condition existed for an unreasonable period and the property owner knew or should have known about it, they may be responsible for resulting injuries.
How long does it usually take to resolve a parking lot injury case?
Resolution timelines vary. Some matters settle after a thorough investigation and negotiation, while others require litigation. The complexity of the case and the seriousness of the injuries often influence duration.
Personalized Representation for Serious Injuries
Parking lot and garage accidents can involve complex liability issues and serious injuries. The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel provides hands-on, individualized representation to clients injured in vehicle and premises-related accidents.
We offer a free initial consultation and are accessible through injurylawny.com, dwilawnewyork.com, our legal blogs, by email, fax, or by phone at (914) 428-7386. If you were injured in a parking lot or garage accident, contact our office to discuss your situation.