Nowadays, parking facilities are located almost everywhere, and most drivers who come across them frequently use them when there is a lack of street parking. Parking garages offer numerous benefits, such as providing a secure and reliable option for parking vehicles and decreasing street traffic caused by drivers searching for available parking spaces. However, despite the advantages, the convenience of these facilities can cause motorists to overlook specific hazards, resulting in collisions. Unfortunately, incidents can occur when you’re on foot or in a vehicle. Therefore, drivers and pedestrians must refrain from letting their guard down while navigating parking garages. If you were injured in a parking garage accident caused by someone else’s negligence, contact an experienced Middlesex County Personal Injury Attorney who can help you fight for the fair compensation you may be entitled to for the damages you’ve endured. Please continue reading to learn about some of the most common causes of parking garage accidents in New Jersey.
What are some of the most common causes of parking garage accidents in New Jersey?
Unfortunately, accidents can happen regardless of whether you are driving or walking through a parking garage. Various factors can contribute to the cause of an accident as these facilities are often compact, making it challenging to navigate. Consequently, pedestrians and drivers face unique hazards in parking structures despite lower traffic flow. The following include but are not limited to some of the most common causes of parking garage accidents:
- Insufficient lighting. Poor lighting can make it difficult for drivers and pedestrians to navigate these structures safely. When there are inadequate lighting systems or broken lights, these poor lighting conditions can reduce visibility and diminish drivers and pedestrians from seeing and being able to respond to their surroundings. If they cannot see specific hazards, it can lead to tragic collisions, trips, slips, and falls.
- Poor design. The layout of a parking facility can be a factor in how dangerous a structure may be for motorists and pedestrians. If a parking structure is designed with insufficient space for vehicles to park or move about, there is an increased chance of a collision. When garages have complex designs that lack walkways for pedestrians, poorly placed driveways, numerous blind spots, and confusing or conflicting traffic signs, drivers and pedestrians will have difficulty safely navigating these facilities.
- Lack of maintenance. When the appropriate parties do not maintain a safe environment for patrons, meaning they do not fix dangerous premises conditions, serious accidents can occur. Property owners must remedy unsafe property conditions to protect drivers and pedestrians from injury.
- Distracted driving. When motorists are texting, conversing with passengers, eating, or engaging in another form of distracted driving in a confined area can cause serious collisions. When motorists take their attention off driving, they will not have enough time to react to specific hazards as they are not looking at the road, leading to a crash.
As you can see, there are numerous causes of parking garage accidents, so drivers and pedestrians must remain vigilant while navigating these structures to prevent accidents and injuries.
If you’ve been injured in a parking garage accident due to negligence, contact a qualified attorney from Stathis & Leonardis, who can fight to help you obtain maximum compensation for the damages you’ve endured. Our firm is prepared to represent your interests today to achieve the best possible outcome.
