Malls and shopping centers are usually jam-packed with lots of cars pulling in and out of large parking lots with pedestrians delicately navigating the traffic to return to their own vehicles. All that chaos is ripe for car accidents and pedestrian injuries.
Who is at Fault?
Typically, malls and shopping centers are owned by corporations, and then each store is leased to individuals. When an accident occurs in a mall parking lot, the question becomes who is at fault. If the driver of the car was being negligent or was distracted when they hit you, they may be legally liable. However, conditions that exist beyond the driver’s control may indicate that the corporation or owner of the store is also responsible for the accident. If any faulty equipment was involved in the accident, a manufacturer may also be liable.
For example, if a car attempts to brake and slides on ice in the parking lot and hits you, the owners of the mall or shopping strip failed to keep everyone safe by putting down ice melt.
Even if you failed to cross the parking lot in a designated area and were then struck by a car, you still could have legal recourse.
You may be able to seek compensation from one or all of the following:
- The other mall visitor/driver.
- The mall owner/corporation.
- The owner of the store you visited.
- A management company that maintains the mall.
- The manufacturer of some structure or piece of equipment that caused the accident.
Depending on the situation, you may have a situation with more than one responsible party. These things tend to get complicated quickly, and it’s a good idea to consult the experts.
What to Do if You Have Been Injured at a Mall or Shopping Center
First, get immediate medical attention for your injuries. Second, contact your personal injury lawyer for a consultation and to determine who is at fault.
Many people injured in pedestrian accidents at malls or shopping centers do not realize that they have any legal recourse and could receive compensation for their medical bills, recovery, and mental suffering.
