Parking Lot Accident Lawyer in New Jersey

a car crashed into another car while getting out of a parking lot

Parking lots are supposed to be safe places where we can park our cars and walk to our destinations without fear of harm or danger. When property owners fail to keep parking lots free of hazards, they may be liable for injuries and losses resulting from parking lot accidents.

Whether you slipped and fell due to hazardous conditions such as broken pavement or potholes, or were struck by an inattentive driver, you deserve to seek monetary damages and accountability for the harm and loss you’ve sustained. A parking lot accident lawyer can guide you through the claims process, protecting your rights and pursuing every cent you’re entitled to.

For more than 40 years, our New Jersey personal injury attorneys have helped victims recover from devastating events. Our team of 25 licensed attorneys is ready to work on investigating your case and helping you get back on solid ground.

Our Experience Handling Parking Lot Injury Claims

We have recovered over $1 billion in results for our clients, including those who suffered serious injuries in parking lots. Here are some examples of our parking lot accident cases we’ve handled:

  • A $750,000 settlement for a woman who fell on snow and ice in a drug store parking lot, suffering severe back injuries. We successfully argued that the drug store and property owner could have done more to prevent the buildup of snow and ice in the parking lot.
  • A $250,000 settlement for a woman who slipped and fell in an icy grocery store parking lot in Hackensack, New Jersey. She suffered injuries to her back, arm, and shoulder. We retained an expert engineering witness who determined that her fall was directly caused by the icy surface, which the grocery store failed to remove.
  • A $650,000 settlement for an electrician who slipped and fell in an icy apartment complex parking lot. Our investigation revealed that the property owner violated various building and safety codes and was negligent in their failure to properly treat and remove the ice from the parking lot.

In many of these cases, the insurance companies and their lawyers argued that our clients were responsible for their injuries or that their injuries were pre-existing. We are prepared to fight back against these claims and conduct investigations to determine if the property owners could have identified and removed the dangers that led to the injury. Each client’s case is unique, and results may vary due to different facts, circumstances, and available insurance coverage.

Causes of Parking Lot Accidents

Garage or parking lot accidents can involve collisions between motor vehicles, pedestrians, and other road users, as well as slips, trips, and falls. Some of the most common causes of these incidents include:

  • Speeding drivers
  • Distracted driving, including texting while driving
  • Drowsy/fatigued driving
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Backing up without looking or checking mirrors
  • Reckless or aggressive driving
  • Potholes or broken/uneven pavement
  • Damaged or missing steps or handrails
  • Slick pavement caused by snow, ice, mud/plant debris, or oil leaks
  • Lack of traffic controls, such as stop/yield signs, marked pedestrian crosswalks, or directional signs/markings
  • Inadequate lighting
  • Obstructed lines of sight
  • Lack of upkeep from the property owner or the property manager

Common Injuries Suffered in Parking Lot Accidents

The wide range of types and causes of parking lot accidents means they can result in many different kinds of injuries, including:

  • Severe lacerations
  • Abrasions/road rash
  • Degloving injuries
  • Burns
  • Broken bones
  • Dislocated joints
  • Ligament, tendon, or muscle injuries
  • Herniated spinal discs
  • Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
  • Internal organ injuries or internal bleeding
  • Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
  • Amputation or limb loss

What To Do After a Parking Lot Accident?

Your health is your top priority in the immediate aftermath of an accident. But almost as important as protecting your physical well-being is protecting your right to seek money damages from the person responsible for your serious injuries.

Here are a few things you can do to lay the groundwork for a solid legal case:

  • Take photos of the scene where the accident occurred, making sure to document any feature of the parking lot that may have played a role in your accident.
  • Notify the business or commercial establishment associated with the parking lot and request that they preserve and save the video surveillance footage from the area.
  • Notify your auto insurance company if the accident involved a motor vehicle collision.
  • Follow your doctor’s treatment plan and recovery instructions.
  • Obtain a copy of the police crash report or management’s incident report, depending on the nature of the accident.
  • Request copies of your medical records of your treatment and rehabilitation for your injuries.
  • Keep your bills, invoices, and receipts of expenses you incur due to your injuries or property damage.
  • Gather copies of your pay stubs or income statements to help determine your lost earnings if you need to take time off work while recovering from injuries or suffer a reduction in your income after going on part-time/light-duty because of your medical restrictions.

Finally, contact a parking lot accident lawyer to discuss the next steps you can take to pursue money and accountability from those at fault for the accident.

Who is At Fault in a Parking Lot Accident in New Jersey?

Determining fault in a parking lot accident requires various types of evidence to establish what happened and identify the party or parties responsible for the incident.

Here are some examples of some of the evidence you might use to prove liability:

  • Police crash reports
  • Accident/incident reports drafted by the parking lot’s owner
  • Surveillance camera footage
  • Dashcam footage
  • Cell phone records
  • Vehicle event data recorder logs
  • Accident scene photos and videos
  • Eyewitness testimony
  • Accident reconstruction, engineering, or traffic safety expert reports and testimony

Liability for the accident could lie with the property owner, property manager, municipal organizations, the parties responsible for designing the parking lot, or other drivers. Your attorney will need to perform an investigation to determine what caused the injury.

Damages Available in a New Jersey Parking Lot Accident

If someone else was to blame for the parking lot accident, you may have the right to pursue financial recovery for what you suffered as a result. Compensation in your parking lot car accident case could provide you with money for your:

  • Costs of repairs to your damaged car or reimbursement for your car’s value if the accident totaled it
  • Costs of medical treatment and rehabilitation, including EMS/ambulance care, hospitalization, surgeries, prescriptions, pain management care, and physical therapy
  • Long-term care expenses for prolonged or permanent disabilities, including home health care, housekeeping, or installation of disability accommodations
  • Lost wages/income if you need to take time off work while recovering from your injuries
  • Ongoing and future losses of earning capacity if your injuries force you into a lower-paying part-time or light-duty position, or you become permanently disabled from working
  • Panin and suffering money for physical pain and anguish
  • Emotional trauma or distress from the accident, your injuries, and any resulting disabilities
  • Loss of enjoyment/quality of life due to disabilities or disfigurement that interferes with daily living or the activities you previously enjoyed

Statute of Limitations for Filing a Parking Lot Accident Claim

New Jersey’s statute of limitations on personal injury claims typically gives you two years after a parking lot accident to file a lawsuit against the party or parties at fault for your injuries and losses. However, if you were hurt due to a dangerous condition in a government-owned parking lot, you may have 90 days to file your torts claim notice against the relevant agency, advising them of your intention to sue them.

Moreover, there are practical reasons to act quickly after a parking lot accident. Evidence of the crash may get cleared or otherwise destroyed, and eyewitnesses will forget what happened, making it harder to prove your case in court. For this reason, you should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to help you file your claims on time.

Talk to an Experienced Parking Lot Accident Attorney in New Jersey Today

If you’ve suffered injuries in a parking lot accident in New Jersey, you need experienced legal representation to fight for the money you need to move on with your life. Contact Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. today for a free, no-obligation consultation to learn how a parking lot accident lawyer can help you seek financial recovery for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.

Our experienced personal injury attorneys have recovered over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements throughout New York and New Jersey. Our team is ready to meet with you online or in person to talk about your best legal options. We offer translation services if English is not your preferred language, and we’re happy to meet with you in person or virtually via FaceTime or Zoom.