Who is Liable for an Accident in a Parking Garage in NY?

Thousands of vehicles are crammed into the city’s parking garages every hour of every single day. Given the congestion, we are surprised that there are not more accidents. However, parking garages can also be dangerous for those on foot who might trip and fall or be assaulted by strangers.

If you were involved in an accident, you might be wondering who is legally liable. The short answer is that accidents in parking garages are analyzed in the same way as accidents that happen out on the street. At our firm, one of our New York City premises liability lawyers will determine who (if anybody) has been negligent and whether this negligence has harmed our client.

Examples of Parking Garage Accidents

Some examples of accidents that can occur in parking lots include:

• Slip and falls due to ice or snow accumulation
• Trips and falls due to cracks or loose pavement
• Theft, vandalism, or assault stemming from inadequate security
• Collisions between vehicles
• Pedestrians struck by vehicles

These accidents can cause serious traumatic injuries, including broken bones, nerve damage, concussions, spinal cord injuries, and other serious injuries requiring substantial medical expenses.

Liability for Parking Garage Accidents

The person at fault may have to pay compensation to injured victims to cover a host of losses, including medical care and lost income. Consequently, parking garage accidents warrant close examination.

There are many people who can be at fault. If you were hit by a motorist, he or she could be to blame. They might have been speeding or not watching where they were going. Often, a driver will fail to check their mirrors or look over their shoulders before backing out. This type of negligent behavior often makes the driver liable.

In other situations, the parking garage owner or operator could be to blame. This is true in cases involving negligent security or hazards that cause a person to trip and fall. Sometimes, a driver might strike another vehicle because of poor lighting, which makes it difficult to see.

How an Attorney Can Help

A lawyer stands at the front lines to assist an injured victim in determining who is liable. Our NYC personal injury lawyers can go to the parking garage to identify what contributed to the accident. We can also collect helpful information, such as surveillance video, to see if it captured the incident.

Identifying who to sue is complicated. Most city garages are run and operated by private companies, but this does not necessarily mean the city is not to blame. We can identify the parking garage’s parent company and file the necessary paperwork to preserve your right to sue.

Speak with a New York City Personal Injury Lawyer

After a parking garage accident, you need someone with the legal skill and know-how to fight for compensation for your injuries. Please contact Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman today. We are one of the pre-eminent New York City injury law firms with countless satisfied clients, and we are available to spring into action to help you, too.

You can schedule a free consultation by calling 212-285-3300 or filling out our contact form.