Parking garages are very beneficial for many cities, as they provide a safe space to park your car away from the elements while freeing up space on the street. However, accidents in these parking garages do occur. Many assume they are limited to collisions involving vehicles, but this is not always true. In fact, there are many ways in which parking garage accidents can occur. The following blog explores what you must know about these unfortunate circumstances. You will also discover why you need a Pikeville, KY premises liability lawyer to help you recover the compensation you deserve if you sustained injuries.
What Are Parking Garage Accidents?
There are three different types of accidents that can occur in parking garages. These include car accidents, pedestrian accidents, and incidents caused by unsafe conditions.
Car accidents in parking garages can occur for a number of reasons. One car may not look before backing out, or other cars may be traveling too quickly around corners, causing them to collide. Similarly, pedestrian accidents can occur when drivers are not paying attention while people are walking to and from their vehicles.
Another common cause of parking garage accidents is unsafe conditions with the property itself. This includes collapses caused by structural damage, unsafe stairwells, inadequate lighting, and issues with fixtures on the property.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Damages?
Determining liability for these accidents depends on the kind of incident that occurred. For example, if it was a car accident involving two vehicles, the negligent driver is most likely at fault and will be held liable. In most cases involving pedestrian accidents, the diver will be liable. However, if it’s determined the pedestrian was at fault, such as running out in front of the vehicle, they will be found accountable.
In instances where the unsafe property is to blame, you can hold the owner of the parking garage liable, as it is their responsibility to ensure the area is maintained and safe.
What Damages Can I Recover?
In personal injury cases, you can recover various damages for the harm you’ve endured. Most commonly, these are economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are any quantifiable and calculable damages, such as medical bills, the cost of medical equipment, time off of work recovering, the cost of repairs to your vehicle, and any additional costs that may arise.
Non-economic damages can be more challenging to determine, as they are subjective. These include things like mental anguish, pain and suffering, embarrassment, humiliation, and the loss of enjoyment of life. The courts will take many factors into consideration when determining how much to award a victim, such as the type of injuries sustained, how it has inhibited the injured party’s ability to participate in activities they once enjoyed, and how old the victim is.
If you want to pursue compensation for any injuries you’ve sustained at the hands of a negligent party, you must have adequate legal representation. Shane Hall Attorney at Law, is ready to help you navigate the circumstances of your injury to fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to learn how we can assist you.
