Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
Yes, you may sue for injuries in a parking garage fall if a dangerous condition caused your accident. New York property owners and operators must take reasonable steps to maintain safe premises for people who lawfully use the property. If they don’t, they can be liable for injuries.
A successful claim generally requires proof that a hazardous condition existed and contributed to your fall. You must also show that the responsible party created the hazard or knew about it and failed to address it. A personal injury lawyer can help you make your case.
Our premises liability lawyers in New York have recovered more than $1 billion in awards and settlements for injured accident victims. Every Borough, Every Block, New York, We Got You. Call today to schedule a free consultation and tell us about your parking lot accident.
Who Is Responsible for a Parking Garage Fall?
When you fall and get hurt in a parking garage, responsibility depends on who owned, operated, or maintained the premises. In some cases, the property owner controls all maintenance and safety measures within the structure.
Other garages rely on management companies or contractors to inspect and repair dangerous conditions. Those parties may share responsibility if their actions contributed to the hazard.
Parking garages connected to commercial buildings, residential properties, or public facilities may involve several entities. Determining who had responsibility for the area where the fall occurred is often a major part of the claim.
Should I Speak With a Lawyer After a Fall?
Yes. Working with a personal injury lawyer always yields better results than taking on a property owner and their insurance company by yourself. An attorney who understands premises liability laws in New York can help in several important ways.
Accident Investigation
A lawyer can investigate the conditions that caused your parking garage fall injuries and determine who may be responsible for maintaining the garage. Early investigation can help preserve evidence before repairs are made or surveillance footage is lost.
Our legal team can look at maintenance records, inspection reports, photographs, surveillance footage, incident reports, and witness statements. We will check how long the hazard was present, who was responsible for fixing it, and if reasonable steps were taken to protect visitors.
Compensation Assessment
Your attorney can review your hardships and work for maximum financial recovery. Every case is unique, and the compensation you may be able to recover is highly dependent on your injuries and future outlook. In many cases, accident victims can recover damages such as:
- Medical expenses such as doctor visits, tests, and procedures
- Projected medical costs like surgery, rehabilitation, and medications
- Lost wages to make up for time off work
- Property damage
Compensation may also include non–economic damages that address the physical pain and limitations caused by the injuries.
Case Management
Your attorney can manage your claim and handle complex legal issues that may be tough to deal with yourself. Insurance companies have powerful attorneys on their side, and it’s helpful to have a professional legal team representing your interests.
We will communicate with property owners, parking garage operators, management companies, maintenance contractors, insurers, and other parties involved in the claim. We will be there to help you understand what you should do after a slip-and-fall accident.
Settlement Negotiations
Many personal injury claims are resolved without the need to go to court. We can negotiate a settlement that accounts for all your damages and helps you move forward with your life. This is often the best solution for all pirates.
Sometimes, insurance companies refuse to agree to a fair settlement, and we need to take the next steps. Your lawyer can file a civil suit on your behalf and represent you in court.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in New York?
New York law places deadlines on personal injury lawsuits. Missing a filing deadline can prevent you from pursuing compensation through the courts. The applicable deadline depends on the circumstances of the case and the parties involved.
Under New York CLPR § 214, you usually have three years from the date of the accident to file your personal injury claim. Different rules may apply if a public entity owns or operates the parking garage where your accident happened.
Because evidence in parking garage cases can disappear quickly, prompt action often helps preserve surveillance footage, maintenance records, and other relevant information. An attorney can make sure you meet important deadlines and retain your legal rights.
Get Help With Your Parking Garage Fall Case
Parking garage fall cases often involve disputed facts about lighting, maintenance, inspections, and notice of dangerous conditions. Property owners may argue that the hazard did not exist long enough to correct it or that the condition was obvious.
We can investigate the parking garage and identify responsible parties. Our attorneys can assess how the condition developed and how it contributed to your injuries. We will help you seek maximum compensation for the hardships the negligent property owner has caused.
Our team at Shulman & Hill has more than 200 years of combined legal experience. If you or someone in your family was injured in a parking garage accident, call today for a free consultation.