Parking lots and multi-level parking garages or parking decks can strike fear into the hearts of new-car owners. Who hasn’t returned after a couple hours of shopping or dining with friends to find a ding, dent or unsightly scratch on his or her brand new vehicle? But there are other, more important considerations when visiting a parking garage. Masked by the worry for our physical possessions, such as a new sedan, SUV or minivan, is a very danger that many people fail to realize: parking lots can pose a very threat to one’s physical well-being as we walk through that maze of cars and concrete.
Being a victim of a Maryland car-pedestrian accident is something that most drivers do not think about, even after they step out of their vehicle and become one of the many people travelling to their destination on foot. Although strolling on a sidewalk in broad daylight may present a few dangers of its own, getting out of one’s car in a dimly-lit parking deck can open an individual up to numerous other hazards not encountered on a city sidewalk.
While most drivers know that parking lots can certainly be the scene of minor car damage, bodily injury is actually one of the more serious threats that can occur within the confines of these convenient parking structures. Even in an open outdoor parking lot, a motor vehicle being driven quickly may dart into or out of a parking spot without notice, possibly clipping a passerby.
As drivers ourselves, the legal team at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers, understands how a person can be seriously hurt in the blink of an eye due to the carelessness of another driver. When it comes to pedestrian accidents in parking lots, decks and garages, our attorneys have the experience and training to represent victims of a pedestrian-related parking lot collision.
These types of accidents have only increased over the years as the popularity of shopping malls and other densely-packed urban retail areas have grown up across the state. As commercial and retail activity has swelled, so has the need for additional accommodation of customers’ vehicles. With this increase in parking activity has come a related rise in people being hit or run over by cars in parking lots, decks and parking garages.
Even at the relatively slow speeds encountered in a confined parking garage, an individual who is struck by a car, truck or even a motorcycle can sustain truly serious injuries. Simply being thrown off balance by an incident involving a parking car can result in a person falling to the pavement and hitting his or her head on the ground. Even if one avoids a closed-head injury, the pain and recovery time resulting from a broken arm or leg can make life difficult for someone who may be a family’s sole breadwinner.
Sad as it is, nearly a fifth of all fatal back-over pedestrian accidents occur in non-residential parking lots and multi-level parking decks; and half of all non-fatal back-over injury accidents occur in these venues as well. Any time a person is injured in a car-pedestrian collision, the police and EMS personnel should be summoned. Getting medical attention for the injured party is the main concern in any kind of pedestrian or traffic-related car crash, but once the victim is out of danger and has received medical care, a qualified Maryland personal injury lawyer should be consulted to determine if a personal injury claim is warranted.
At Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers, we understand how frustrating, not to mention painful, it can be to be injured and facing mounting medical bills and surgical costs, while at the same time possibly prevented from working due to that very injury. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to assign blame in the case of parking garage-related pedestrian accidents. In some instances, because many parking lots are situated on private property, the police may not respond to what might be perceived as a minor accident, even though days later the victim may begin to feel the aftereffects of the collision. With no official accident report on file it only makes sense to consult with a skilled auto accident attorneys to better understand your rights to compensation.
As Maryland personal injury lawyers, the attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen believe that there is no such thing as a simple motor vehicle accident. Even though parking lot accidents are typically low-speed events resulting in mostly minor injuries, this doesn’t mean that one should take this kind of pedestrian accident lightly. Regardless of the cause, it is always wise to consider the legal aspect of such a collision. More than one person has been hurt or killed as a result of a pedestrian-car crash caused by distracted, drunk or reckless motorist.
The experienced trial lawyers at Lebowitz & Mzhen are ready to assist victims and their families following any kind of injury-related or fatal traffic accident. We understand the stress imposed on victims of car, truck or motorcycle collisions who not only have to suffer the physical pain of a pedestrian accident, but who must then fight for their right to compensation after being injured by a negligent motorist.
Our job is to help victims to recover damages based on medical expenses and lost wages, not to mention compensation for pain and suffering, as well as funeral benefits in cases of wrongful death. As a victim of an automobile-related personal injury accident, you have rights. We always recommend that any person seriously hurt in a car, motorcycle or commercial trucking collision should contact a reputable personal injury attorney to learn their rights under the law. At the law offices of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers, we are always happy to take your call and discuss your accident case. Never hesitate to call us toll-free at (800) 654-1949; or email either Jack Lebowitz or Vadim Mzhen to arrange a no-obligation consultation.