San Jose Pedestrian Accidents in Parking Lots

While it is common to see pedestrians and motor vehicles near each other on and around a public roadway, few public spaces regularly put people on foot and people behind the wheel in proximity as much as parking lots. Unfortunately, that means collisions between cars and pedestrians are much more common in places like this than any pedestrian would prefer. These collisions can cause serious injuries even when they occur at relatively low speeds.

San Jose pedestrian accidents in parking lots can serve as the basis for a personal injury claim just as much as a pedestrian accident in any other location likely could. That said, this pedestrian crash claim also has some unique aspects to it, and ensuring you have the best chances of success possible with those unique aspects in mind is something with which skilled pedestrian accident attorneys at the Solution Now Law Firm could give you vital assistance.

How Negligence Can Lead to Parking Lot Pedestrian Collisions

Compared to similar types of pedestrian accidents elsewhere, San Jose parking lot incidents often stem from a driver’s carelessness or negligence behind the wheel for a few moments rather than them overtly breaking a traffic law. A single driver failing to glance in their mirrors or check their blind spots before backing out of—or driving into—a parking space can very easily lead to a collision with a pedestrian. Passing too closely to pedestrians while driving down a lane between lines of spaces or while entering the lot from a nearby roadway can also cause a wreck.

That said, crashes of this nature can and do occur from traditional traffic violations as well, most notably failing to stop completely at stoplights and not yielding the right-of-way to pedestrians properly. Regardless of exactly how a pedestrian gets hurt in a motor vehicle wreck in a parking lot, a capable legal professional could help them understand and enforce their legal rights to obtain fair compensation for the harm they have sustained.

Are Retail Stores Liable for Parking Lot Accidents?

Broadly speaking, retail stores—or whoever owns a San Jose parking lot in which a pedestrian collision occurs—are not legally liable for injuries sustained by pedestrians in their lot due to the negligence of a motor vehicle driver. However, that may change if a pedestrian accident in a parking lot occurs partially due to negligent maintenance of the lot by its owner or primary operator.

For example, if a driver collides with a pedestrian in part because their car skidded on untreated ice built up after a cold snap, liability for the ensuing collision may lie in part with whoever’s responsibility it was to treat that ice buildup and prevent it from causing injury to people using the lot. Once again, legal counsel can discuss possible “defendants” for a specific claim in more detail during a confidential consultation.

Talk to a San Jose Attorney About Legal Options for Pedestrian Wrecks in Parking Lots

Pedestrians walking around multi-ton motor vehicles are unfortunately always at risk of serious injury from a driver around them acting irresponsibly, including and especially in crowded parking lots. Suppose you were hurt in a San Jose pedestrian accident in a parking lot recently. In that case, you have limited time to take stock of the “compensable damages” you have suffered and then demand restitution for them through a civil settlement demand or lawsuit.

Put simply, contacting a capable pedestrian accident lawyer should be a top priority for anyone injured due to negligent driving inside a parking lot. Call us today at Solution Now Law Firm to get started on a potential claim.