Parking lots are subject to wear and tear from vehicle traffic, pedestrian traffic, snow, ice, rain, and heat. An owner of a parking lot in New York is responsible for its proper maintenance, keeping it free from debris and unsafe conditions in the pavement or concrete. Even if the parking lot is owned by a municipality, it still must be properly maintained in a safe condition.
If you were injured in a parking lot fall accident in Buffalo, and you believe the property owner was negligent, we encourage you to reach out to our premises liability attorneys as soon as possible. These types of claims can be very complex; it’s important that you work with a legal team that has an in-depth understanding of the law and that knows how to fight for you at every turn.
At Richmond Vona, LLC, we have successfully secured hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients, including numerous million- and multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts. Get in touch with us today to set up a free, confidential consultation during which we will listen to your story, discuss your legal rights and options, and provide the honest, straightforward legal counsel you need.
Holding Property Owners Liable for Unsafe Parking Lots
Property owners, including the owners of parking lots, have a legal responsibility to ensure that their premises are free of any foreseeable hazards. This means that they must take reasonable steps to address, fix, repair, or warn of dangerous conditions that could present a foreseeable risk of harm to others.
Examples of dangerous parking lot conditions include but are not limited to:
Accumulated ice and snow
Cracks or chips in the pavement or concrete
Uneven surfaces
Debris left on the pavement or concrete
In order to hold a property owner liable for injuries sustained due to a Buffalo parking lot fall incident, it must be proven that the owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition, yet failed to take action to fix it. Meeting this burden is crucial to recovering damages for pain and suffering and economic loss.
In some instances, a parking lot management company, separate from the owner, may also be held liable. Furthermore, if the parking lot is owned by a municipal entity (state, county, city, etc.), there may be stricter requirements for proving liability and shorter time limits in which a claim must be filed.
What to Do If You Trip & Fall in a Parking Lot
While you may not believe yourself to be severely injured, it is always important to seek medical attention after an accident, including a slip, trip, and fall in a Buffalo parking lot. If necessary, call 9-1-1 and have yourself taken to the hospital. If you are able to, notify the property owner or another appropriate party, such as a store manager, of the incident and your injuries. Document the scene, including the dangerous condition that led to your fall, as well as your injuries, and take down the contact information of the property owner.
If you are contacted later by the property owner or their insurance company, avoid speaking to them or making any statements that could be used against you. Instead, reach out to an experienced attorney who can protect your rights and advocate for your best interests. Remember, the liable party’s insurance provider may try to get you to admit fault, downplay your injuries, or use other tactics to dispute or devalue your claim. It is always better to refrain speaking to insurance adjusters until you have first spoken to an attorney.
Get in touch with us today to set up a free, confidential consultation during which we will listen to your story, discuss your legal rights and options, and provide the honest, straightforward legal counsel you need.
CONTACT AN ATTORNEY FOR LEGAL ADVICE AFTER A BUFFALO PARKING LOT FALL ACCIDENT
It is imperative to call an experienced attorney soon after your accident so that a prompt and thorough investigation can be conducted. At Richmond Vona, LLC, our attorneys work tirelessly to properly investigate your claim and work to get you the financial compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one was injured after a parking lot fall accident in Buffalo, please call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. From our office in Buffalo, we handle parking lot fall cases throughout Western New York, including West Seneca, East Aurora, Orchard Park, and Jamestown.
With over 25 years of combined personal injury experience, our co-founding attorneys, John E. Richmond and Keith R. Vona, have helped injury victims and their family members recover more than $150 million in financial relief.
John E. Richmond
Co-Founding Member
As one of New York’s top personal injury attorneys, John E. Richmond understands that clients come first. With over a decade of experience representing plaintiffs, he knows how to hold negligent corporations and big insurance companies liable.
In his nearly 15 years in practice, Keith has been consistently recognized for his client service and record of results. He has been selected for inclusion in the New York Super Lawyers® Rising Stars list four times (2013 to 2016), an honor reserved for the top up-and-coming attorneys.
