Our Oregon personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Jon Friedman know parking lots can be surprisingly dangerous places where accidents can occur for various reasons.
Depending on the circumstances, it may be challenging to determine who is liable for the incident and injuries. This can lead to injury victims leaving the accident scene without obtaining the necessary evidence to pursue a personal injury claim. Subsequently, the injured party will be liable for their medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses — instead of pursuing the actual responsible party for their damages.
Here, we discuss some of the most common types of parking lot personal injury accidents and who may be liable for their occurrence so Oregon residents can pursue the proper party for compensation.
What Types of Parking Lot Accidents and Injuries Occur in Oregon?
Drivers and pedestrians who do not exercise caution, are distracted, fail to obey traffic rules, or follow safety practices in parking lots can lead to severe accidents and injuries in parking lots.
That includes:
- Vehicle Collisions
This is the most common type of parking lot accident. It can involve two moving vehicles colliding with each other or a moving vehicle colliding with a parked one.
- Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians are vulnerable in parking lots. They can be struck by cars or backed over by drivers while reversing. These accidents can lead to severe injuries, particularly for children and the elderly.
- Dooring Accidents
These incidents can occur when someone in a parked car opens their door without checking for oncoming traffic or pedestrians. Cyclists are especially susceptible to these accidents.
- Distracted Driving/Parking
Cellphones often distract drivers and pedestrians, especially when moving at slower speeds. Drivers might also be looking for parking spots, chatting with passengers, or checking onboard devices when colliding with another vehicle or a person.
- Speeding
Some drivers treat parking lots as reckless driving courses, exceeding safe speeds and putting pedestrians and other drivers at risk.
- Impaired Driving
Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs can pose a significant danger in parking lots.
- Failure to Obey Signs and Markings
Disobeying traffic signs, ignoring stop signs, or parking in no-parking zones can lead to accidents.
Likewise, property owners and managers who do not maintain their facilities or fail to provide proper lighting, clear signage, or security to enhance safety can lead to significant accidents in parking lots.
That includes:
- Inadequate Maintenance/Slip and Fall Accidents
Parking lots can have uneven surfaces, potholes, debris, other hazards, ice, and sow in colder climates. Slip and fall accidents are common when pedestrians lose their footing.
- Poor Lighting
Inadequate lighting in a parking lot can reduce visibility and increase the risk of accidents, especially at night.
Contact Our Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
If you have suffered a personal injury on public or private premises caused by negligence in Oregon, contact our Multnomah County personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Jon Friedman at (503)-242-1440 or online today to schedule a free consultation and get the help you need to make informed decisions about the direction of your case.
