In addition to major roadways, traffic collisions can and do occur at lower speeds on private property, most often inside parking lots outside retail establishments, residential complexes, and even government-owned buildings like the Department of Motor Vehicles.
You have a right to seek civil restitution for injuries you sustained in a parking lot accident in Glendale caused by another person’s misconduct. However, getting every cent of compensation you deserve—or even knowing who to demand that compensation from in the first place—can be very difficult without the support of a seasoned car accident lawyer from Phillips Law Group. Reach out to our team to get started.
Are Parking Lot Owners Liable for Traffic Collisions?
Whether they are going over a mile a minute on a highway or crawling through a crowded parking lot, drivers in Arizona always owe everyone around them a duty of care to act lawfully and responsibly behind the wheel. Anyone who causes a crash in a Glendale parking lot because they did not stop at a stop sign, backed out of a parking space without checking their blind spots, or did anything else irresponsible while driving is likely negligent and, because of that, civilly liable for damages stemming from that incident.
For the most part, whatever person or business owns a particular parking lot is not legally liable for accidents that occur there, since they have no direct control over how lawful guests on their property behave while there. That said, there may be grounds to sue a parking lot owner over a traffic collision that stemmed partially from that owner’s negligent property management—for instance, if someone accidentally swerved into another car because they hit an unmarked and untreated pothole.
How Comparative Fault Could Impact Civil Recovery
Another potential complicating factor in any lawsuit over a Glendale parking lot wreck is comparative fault—in other words, the degree to which an injured person is partially at fault for causing their own injuries through irresponsible actions. As per Arizona Revised Statutes §12-2505, any percentage of fault that a court assigns to an injured person along these lines will result in the court reducing the value of their final damage award by that same percentage.
Fortunately, Arizona follows a pure comparative fault system, so no amount of fault completely disqualifies an injured person from seeking at least some compensation from someone who bears partial fault for their accident. Still, proving both that another person is to blame for a parking lot accident and that the person injured in that accident was not to blame for it can be tricky without support from trustworthy legal counsel.
Get Help From a Glendale Attorney After a Parking Lot Accident
Navigating parking lots and parking garages is a regular part of life for many Glendale residents, and most people are able to manage it without much trouble. Unfortunately, even one mistake by another driver in cramped conditions like these could lead to a collision with devastating consequences, including unexpected medical bills, lost work income, physical pain and suffering, and more.
Phillips Law Group can help you seek fair financial recovery for every form of harm you have sustained through a parking lot accident in Glendale. Get in touch with one of our team members today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.
Available 24/7