Parking lot accidents in Connecticut fall under state premises liability laws because parking lots are typically private property. However, depending on the type of accident, such as a car accident involving a pedestrian or another vehicle, there could also be other laws to consider when pursuing a claim for injuries.
Car accidents are common in Connecticut parking lots, and many of these collisions are due to distracted driving. The National Safety Council reports that:
The slower speeds may give drivers the impression that distractions are not dangerous, but that is not the case. Tens of thousands of collisions happen each year in parking lots and parking garages around the country, and thousands of people are injured as a result. Car accidents in parking lots often happen when:
Another type of accident that commonly occurs in parking lots is premises liability, which refers to a property owner’s responsibility to maintain their property for visitors. Property owners and certain other entities involved in the occupation and use of a property have a duty to check the premises and implement safeguards in order to make the property reasonably safe. If the hazard or defect would be ordinarily discoverable after a reasonable inspection of the property, they have the duty to repair the hazard and to properly warn visitors, tenants, and customers.
Slip and falls are common in Connecticut parking lots in winter when ice and snow accumulate. Other examples of premises liability accidents that may occur in parking lots include:
Connecticut uses a system called the modified comparative negligence system. It states that injured accident victims can pursue economic and non-economic damages from the at-fault party, and if more than one person or company is responsible, the percentage of fault will be shared and divided by how much liability each party is responsible for.
Under this modified comparative negligence approach, the injured party can pursue damages even if they are partially at fault, but their percentage of liability must be 50% or less in order to recover financial compensation. Additionally, any damages they are awarded will be decreased by their percentage of fault.
For example, suppose you are found to be 25% at fault for your parking lot accident. If the court granted you an award of $60,000, you would actually receive $45,000 once the 25% was subtracted.
Our attorneys have over a century of combined experience helping people navigate their premises liability and car accident cases, including those involving parking lot accidents in Connecticut. When you work with us, you can feel confident that your case is being handled by dedicated, compassionate counsel who will work tirelessly to protect your best interests. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
