Slip and fall accidents in Texas parking lots are more common than many realize, often due to unsafe conditions like cracked pavement, debris, or wet surfaces. If you’ve been injured in a parking lot fall, it’s essential to know the steps to take to protect your health and your legal rights.
Under Texas law, businesses and property owners are responsible for maintaining safe premises, including parking lots. In this article, our Houston premises liability lawyer outlines exactly what to do after a parking lot slip and fall accident to help ensure you receive fair compensation.
Steps to Take Immediately After a Slip and Fall Accident in a Texas Parking Lot
- Seek Medical Attention: Prioritize your health and safety by getting medical help immediately, even if injuries seem minor, as symptoms can appear later.
- Document the Accident: Take photos of the scene, focusing on any hazardous conditions like cracks, potholes, or wet areas.
- Report the Incident: Inform the property manager or store owner and request a written record of the report.
- Collect Witness Information: Gather contact details of any witnesses who saw the accident.
- Consult a Lawyer: Contact an experienced Houston premises liability lawyer to guide you through the claim process and protect your rights.
Texas Law: Businesses and Property Owners May be Liable for Negligence
Under the Texas premises liability laws, negligence occurs when a business or property owner fails to take adequate care. Carelessness or recklessness in regards to parking lot maintenance can lead to a serious slip and fall accident or trip and fall accident. Some of the leading reasons why parking lot fall accidents occur in Southeast Texas include:
- Defective or broken stairs;
- Cracks in the pavement;
- Random debris left unremoved; and
- Wet or icy surface areas.
All parking lot fall accidents require a comprehensive investigation to determine precisely what happened and why it happened. A Houston area property owner can be held legally responsible for a parking lot fall accident if the victim can prove the negligence contributed to their injuries. A Houston, TX premises liability attorney will help secure the evidence needed to prove fault.
Why Parking Lot Falls in Texas Are a Unique Concern
Texas weather can create unique risks in parking lots, with sudden rainstorms, intense heat, and occasional icy conditions contributing to falls. Additionally, poorly maintained lots with cracks, potholes, or inadequate lighting increase accident risks.
Property owners have a responsibility to address these conditions and keep their premises safe. When they fail, serious injuries can occur, from fractures to head trauma. Understanding these risks can help victims recognize when a property owner’s negligence may be to blame for an accident.
You Deserve Full Financial Compensation for a Fall Accident in a Parking Lot
In Texas, parking lot fall accident victims can claim financial relief for economic and intangible damages. Sadly, negligent property owners and their commercial insurance companies never make this easy. A Houston slip and fall accident lawyer can help you maximize your slip and fall settlement after a parking lot injury. Compensation may be available for:
- Emergency medical treatment;
- Health care bills and related costs;
- Physical therapy;
- Lost wages;
- Loss of earning capacity;
- Pain and suffering;
- Disfigurement;
- Disability; and
- Wrongful death.
How a Premises Liability Attorney Can Help After a Parking Lot Fall
A knowledgeable premises liability attorney can be instrumental in securing compensation after a parking lot fall. Attorneys investigate the incident, gather crucial evidence, and work with experts to prove negligence.
They handle communications with insurance companies to ensure you receive a fair settlement that covers your medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. A dedicated Houston slip and fall lawyer will advocate for your rights, allowing you to focus on recovery.
Two Year Statute of Limitations for Parking Lot Fall Accidents
You have a limited amount of time to take legal action after sustaining a serious injury. Under Texas law (Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003), premises liability claims are generally subject to a two-year statute of limitations. If you fail to initiate a parking lot fall accident claim within two years, you will likely lose your right to pursue justice and financial compensation.
Parking Lot Slip and Fall FAQs
What Types of Injuries Are Common in Parking Lot Slip and Fall Accidents?
Injuries from parking lot slip and fall accidents can vary widely but commonly include fractures, sprains, concussions, and soft tissue injuries. The severity of injuries often depends on factors like the height of the fall and the surface conditions.
How Can I Prove Negligence in a Parking Lot Slip and Fall Case?
To prove negligence, you must demonstrate that the property owner failed to maintain safe conditions. This involves showing that a hazardous condition existed, the owner knew or should have known about it, and their failure to act led to your accident.
What Should I Do If the Property Owner Disputes My Claim?
If the property owner disputes your claim, it’s crucial to gather evidence such as photos of the accident scene, witness statements, and medical records. Consulting a premises liability attorney can help strengthen your case and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
Schedule a 100% Free Consultation With a Premises Liability Attorney in Houston, TX
At the Kolodny Law Firm, our Texas premises liability lawyers are skilled, passionate advocates for justice. If you or someone you know was seriously injured in a slip and fall in a parking lot, we are here to help you secure full and fair financial compensation.
Call us now or reach out to us through our online contact form for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. We represent injured victims in Houston, Harris County, and throughout all of Southeast Texas.
Where to find our Houston office
Alan Kolodny is committed to representing injured clients in Texas and throughout the United States. Alan earned his B.A. from Rice University and his J.D. from Southern Methodist University.
He focuses his practice on representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases involving the following matters: maritime and offshore accidents, including those under the Jones Act; automobile and 18-wheeler truck accidents; and industrial site accidents, work-related accidents, and claims for injured railroad workers under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act.
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