Pedestrian Accidents in San Antonio Parking Lots

Parking lots can be busy, congested areas with people going to and from their cars, drivers searching for parking spots, and other drivers backing out of their spots. Parking garages have their own unique challenges, with walls and pillars blocking vision and drivers trying to find the ramps to go up or down. With everything that is going on, pedestrian accidents in San Antonio parking lots are bound to occur. Even though parking lot accidents are typically low-speed, low-impact accidents, they can still cause severe injuries.

If you were hit and injured by a vehicle in a parking lot, talk to a pedestrian accident attorney who can evaluate your case and determine if you can pursue compensation.

Liability in a Parking Lot Accident

Deciding who is at fault for pedestrian accidents that happen in San Antonio parking lots can be complicated. If the pedestrian was in a crosswalk at the time of the collision, it is probably the fault of the driver, who should have yielded to pedestrians in crosswalks. However, pedestrians in parking lots are often not inside a crosswalk. There are many instances when it is not clear if the pedestrian was negligent in watching out for vehicles or if the vehicle’s driver was negligent in watching out for pedestrians. In some cases, both the pedestrian and the driver share responsibility for the accident.

There are also times when the parking lot owner or manager shares some of the fault, particularly if the parking lot is poorly designed and has obstructions that block a driver’s view of a crosswalk or other area where there will be pedestrian traffic.

Comparative Negligence Laws

In Texas, modified comparative negligence laws state that the injured person in an accident must have less than 51% of the fault in order to collect damages. Furthermore, the court reduces the amount of damages by the percentage of fault. If the pedestrian is determined to be 35% at fault, then the amount of damages awarded will be reduced by 35%.

Insurance companies will try to make the most of the comparative negligence laws, claiming that the pedestrian had more fault than they might have actually had. This way, the insurance company does not need to pay out as much money. An experienced attorney understands insurance company tactics and can fight for the injured person’s right to compensation.

Damages in a Parking Lot Accident that Involves Pedestrians

The amount of damages awarded in San Antonio pedestrian parking lot accidents is largely determined by the severity of the injuries. A lawyer will gather important information, such as medical bills and doctor statements to find out how many medical expenses were incurred now and in the future because of the accident. The amount of wages that were lost due to the injuries is also included. In some cases, the injured person cannot return to their job because of long-lasting injuries, so future lost wages are factored into the damages.

Damages can also include things that impact the injured person but do not have expenses associated with them, such as pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Call a San Antonio Attorney About Pedestrian Accidents in Parking Lots

When pedestrian accidents in San Antonio parking lots happen to you, make sure you have an experienced lawyer at your side. An attorney can handle insurance companies who try to settle for less than you deserve. An attorney knows the laws about parking lot accidents and can help determine liability and the amount of damages that you could pursue.

The attorneys at Felix Gonzalez Law Firm are always available. Contact us right away to schedule a free consultation.