When a careless driver harms you or someone you love by failing to driver cautiously in a Seminole parking lot, you may be able to pursue legal action against those who caused your injury and recover compensation. A Seminole parking lot accident lawyer could help you file your claim for compensation to recover the losses you suffered in the accident. An experienced personal injury attorney could fight vigilantly to help you get the justice and compensation you are due.
Assessing Fault in a Seminole Parking Lot Collision
In determining fault, a Seminole attorney investigating a parking lot crash would examine the facts of the collision and the actions of the at-fault driver. Common causes of parking lot accidents include:
- Speeding through a parking lot
- Under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Driving the opposite direction down a one-way lane
- Failing to check blind spots prior to backing out of a parking space
- Driving distracted when backing out of a parking space
Establishing Negligence
Recovering compensation in a parking lot accident is dependent on proving that the at-fault party’s negligent actions directly caused the victim’s harm. To do this, a Seminole attorney would first need to show how the at-fault driver had a duty of care to avoid causing a parking collision.
However, the at-fault driver breached this duty, causing the accident. Finally, an attorney would need to prove that as a direct result of the at-fault driver’s negligence, the victim incurred physical injuries and damages.
The Role of Comparative Negligence
Florida courts adhere to the pure comparative fault rule when awarding damages in personal injury cases where both parties bear a portion of the blame. Pursuant to Florida Statutes §768.81, a plaintiff’s award of compensation may be reduced by a percentage equaling their share of fault.
The rule still applies if the plaintiff is found to be more at fault for the crash than the other driver. For example, if a jury determines that the injured party is 70 percent at fault, they could still be entitled to 30 percent of their total financial damages.
Seeking Compensation
Florida law requires vehicle owners and drivers to carry at least $10,000 personal injury protection (PIP) on their policy to cover medical costs and lost income in the event of a crash. When PIP does not cover all of the injured party’s expenses or they do not have PIP, an attorney could discuss what legal options are available to recover compensation for their monetary damages and other losses.
A parking lot accident victim could recover compensation for a variety of damages, which may include:
- Lost income
- Current and future medical bills
- Ambulance costs
- Lost earning capacity
- Medical mobility services
- Home health care
- Physical therapy
- Pain and suffering
Deadlines for Filing Seminole Parking Lot Accident Lawsuits
Fl. Stat. Ann. §95-11 provides a four-year window in which accident victims may file a personal injury lawsuit. If someone is killed in a crash and their family wishes to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible driver, that lawsuit must be filed no later than two years from the date of the decedent’s death. A plaintiff’s failure to file within the time limit set by Florida law could result in a case dismissal, unless a rare exception applies that may extend the deadline.
Arrange Your Consultation with a Seminole Parking Lot Accident Attorney
A Seminole parking lot accident lawyer could work hard to safeguard your foundational rights and help you to get the compensation deserved for your parking lot crash. An attorney could help you navigate the complex legal process so you are able to focus on your recovery.
Call today to schedule your legal consultation with a Seminole attorney.
