We often think about parking lot accidents in Athens as minor vehicle collisions with limited injury or damage. However, these accidents also have the potential to be serious depending on the circumstances, such as the speed of the car and whether it involved another vehicle or a more vulnerable pedestrian. Another driver or party’s fault for a parking lot accident may allow you to pursue a claim to compensate for the damages from a collision.
The car crash attorneys at Massey Law Group advocate for clients in their claims against negligent drivers and other liable parties after suffering injury in a serious accident. The foundation of our practice is clear communication with each client in navigating their case. We work to understand your goals, deliver timely updates about the process of your case, and develop litigation strategies for maximizing value. We also offer a full Spanish-speaking team to further promote strong communication with clients in different languages. You can contact our office today to schedule a free case review.
Many different issues can contribute to the cause of a parking lot accident. The cause of an accident may also vary depending on the parties involved, such as pedestrians or bicyclists. Some potential causes of an Athens parking lot accident may include the following types of wrongful acts or negligence:
The cause of an accident may also occur through the mismanagement or neglect of the parking lot itself. Common examples of these issues that may contribute to a collision could include poor lighting, missing stop signs or pedestrian crossing signs, and other failures that increase the likelihood of an accident. The owner of the parking lot or a nearby business may be liable for the injuries that result from these foreseeable issues.
The first steps to take after a parking lot accident may include exchanging contact and insurance information with the other drivers and reporting the accident to law enforcement. If possible, it may be helpful to take photos of the accident scene and obtain contact information from any witnesses who could speak to the cause of the accident. It is also important to seek immediate medical evaluation and treatment. This is not only key for your physical health but also to document all injuries from the parking lot collision in Athens.
Scheduling a free initial consultation with one of our attorneys is another step that may be beneficial in understanding your right to a claim for personal injury. Taking this next step is also critical because of the limited time for a person to pursue an injury lawsuit under the state statute of limitations in Georgia Code § 9-3-33. You must generally start a claim within two years from the date of the parking lot accident to preserve your right to recover compensation from a liable party.
The compensation recoverable in an Athens parking lot accident case will vary based on the unique circumstances of an injury and how it affects your life. Common damages an attorney from Massey Law Group may be able to claim in a lawsuit on your behalf could include costs for medical care, any lost wages from being unable to work, and other non-economic losses due to your pain and suffering.
Disputes over the fault for an accident can also impact the right to recover compensation. Courts apply a rule of contributory negligence from Georgia Code § 51-12-33 to cases where a person has alleged fault for causing the accident that led to their injury. A jury will assign a percentage of fault to each party in the case and proportionally reduce your compensation from damages based on that percentage of fault.
Further understand and explore your potential right to a claim for damages after a parking lot accident in Athens with the experienced lawyers at Massey Law Group. We provide a clear understanding of your case and the steps to pursue compensation. Contact our office today to schedule a free case review.