Hit by a Car in a Parking Garage? Know Your Legal Rights

Parking garage accidents happen for numerous reasons, but certain factors appear repeatedly in these cases. Driver inattention is perhaps the most common cause—motorists searching for parking spaces, checking their phones, or adjusting GPS systems often fail to notice pedestrians walking between vehicles or crossing driving lanes. The confined nature of parking structures means pedestrians and vehicles share the same narrow pathways, creating constant conflict points.

Backing accidents represent another major category of parking garage incidents. Drivers reversing out of parking spaces have extremely limited visibility, especially in structures with large SUVs and trucks. Even with backup cameras, blind spots remain significant. Pedestrians walking behind reversing vehicles are particularly vulnerable, and these accidents frequently result in serious injuries when victims are knocked down and run over.

Speed is also a contributing factor despite the low-speed environment. Even at 10-15 mph, a vehicle can cause devastating injuries to a pedestrian. Some drivers treat parking garages like racetracks, speeding around corners to find spaces or exit quickly. Combined with poor lighting and unexpected pedestrian movements, excessive speed in parking structures creates a recipe for disaster. If you've been injured due to any of these causes, a [personal injury attorney](/personal-injury) can help you pursue compensation.

Multi-level parking garages present hazards that don't exist in surface parking lots. Spiral ramps with blind curves make it nearly impossible for drivers to see pedestrians until they're dangerously close. The circular design means vehicles approach from unexpected angles, and pedestrians often can't hear approaching cars due to echo effects and ambient noise in enclosed concrete structures.

Lighting conditions in parking garages are notoriously poor. Many structures have inadequate illumination, creating dark zones where pedestrians become virtually invisible to drivers. Burned-out lights that aren't promptly replaced, shadowy corners near stairwells and elevators, and areas blocked by structural columns all contribute to visibility problems. These lighting deficiencies may constitute negligence on the part of the property owner.

Elevator and stairwell areas are particularly dangerous zones. Pedestrians exiting elevators or stairwells often step directly into driving lanes without clear sightlines. Drivers navigating these areas may not anticipate pedestrians emerging suddenly from these access points. Additionally, many parking structures lack adequate pedestrian walkways or designated crossing areas, forcing people to walk in vehicle traffic lanes. When these design deficiencies contribute to accidents, [catastrophic injury](/catastrophic-injury) claims may involve premises liability against the property owner.

Premises liability law holds property owners responsible for maintaining reasonably safe conditions for visitors. In California, parking garage owners and operators have a legal duty to address known hazards and conduct regular inspections to identify potential dangers. This includes ensuring adequate lighting, clear signage, proper maintenance of driving surfaces, and reasonable security measures.

When a parking garage owner fails to meet these obligations, they may be held liable for resulting injuries. For example, if a pedestrian is struck in an area with burned-out lights that haven't been replaced for months, the property owner's negligence contributed to the accident. Similarly, if inadequate signage fails to warn drivers about pedestrian crossing areas or blind corners, the owner may share liability for any accidents that occur.

Proving premises liability requires demonstrating that the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to remedy it or warn visitors. Evidence such as maintenance records, prior incident reports, and inspection logs become crucial in these cases. An experienced [pedestrian accident lawyer](/pedestrian-accidents) can investigate whether property owner negligence contributed to your injuries and pursue compensation from all responsible parties.

California law imposes specific responsibilities on parking structure owners and operators. They must conduct regular safety inspections, maintain adequate lighting throughout the facility, ensure clear visibility at intersections and blind corners, provide appropriate signage warning of hazards, and repair dangerous conditions promptly. Failure to meet these obligations can constitute negligence.

Property owners must also consider foreseeable risks when designing and maintaining parking facilities. This includes installing convex mirrors at blind corners, creating designated pedestrian walkways where feasible, ensuring elevator and stairwell exits have clear sightlines, maintaining painted crosswalks and stop signs, and providing adequate security to prevent criminal activity that could endanger pedestrians.

When property owners cut corners on maintenance or ignore known hazards to save money, they put pedestrians at serious risk. If you've suffered [brain injury](/brain-injury) or other severe trauma due to inadequate lighting, poor facility design, or failure to address known dangers, the property owner may be liable for your damages. Documentation of the hazardous condition through photographs, witness statements, and expert testimony becomes essential in proving negligence.

While property owners may share liability, driver negligence remains the primary cause of most parking garage pedestrian accidents. California Vehicle Code requires drivers to exercise reasonable care at all times, including in parking facilities. This means driving at safe speeds, yielding to pedestrians, checking blind spots before backing up, avoiding distractions like cell phones, and remaining alert for pedestrians in all areas.

Common forms of driver negligence in parking garages include failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks or walking areas, backing up without checking for pedestrians behind the vehicle, speeding around corners or through driving lanes, texting or using phones while driving through the structure, and failing to stop at stop signs or yield points. These behaviors violate the duty of care drivers owe to pedestrians.

In some cases, [distracted driving](/distracted-driving) plays a major role in parking garage accidents. Drivers focused on finding parking spaces, talking on phones, or dealing with passengers may not notice pedestrians until it's too late. If driver negligence caused your injuries, you can pursue compensation through the driver's auto insurance policy. When both driver and property owner negligence contributed to the accident, you may have claims against multiple parties.

Pedestrians struck by vehicles in parking garages often suffer serious injuries despite the relatively low speeds involved. The human body is no match for even a slow-moving vehicle, and the confined spaces in parking structures can trap victims between cars or against walls and columns. Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries from head impacts with vehicles or pavement, [spinal cord injuries](/spinal-cord-injury) that may result in paralysis, [broken bones and fractures](/broken-bones-fractures) of legs, arms, hips, and ribs, and [back and neck injuries](/back-neck-injuries) including herniated discs.

Internal injuries are also common in parking garage accidents. The force of impact can cause internal bleeding, organ damage, and soft tissue injuries that may not be immediately apparent. Victims may also suffer severe lacerations, road rash, and crush injuries if they're pinned between vehicles or dragged under a car.

The psychological impact of being struck by a vehicle shouldn't be overlooked. Many victims develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety about parking garages or being around vehicles, and depression related to their injuries and lifestyle changes. California law allows compensation for both physical and emotional damages resulting from pedestrian accidents. The severity of injuries often determines the value of your claim and the importance of working with experienced legal counsel.

California has established various regulations governing parking structure safety, though they're spread across multiple code sections. The California Building Code sets standards for parking garage design, including lighting requirements, ventilation, fire safety, and accessibility. Local jurisdictions may impose additional requirements through municipal codes and ordinances.

The California Vehicle Code applies to drivers operating vehicles in parking structures, requiring them to exercise reasonable care and obey posted signs and speed limits. Pedestrians also have responsibilities under California law, though drivers generally bear greater responsibility due to the dangerous nature of motor vehicles. California follows a comparative negligence system, meaning even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault.

Property owners must comply with premises liability standards established through California case law and statutory requirements. This includes the duty to inspect for hazards, warn of known dangers, and maintain the property in a reasonably safe condition. When accidents occur due to code violations or failure to meet established safety standards, this evidence strengthens your claim. An attorney can identify which regulations apply to your case and how violations contributed to your injuries.

Determining who is legally responsible for a parking garage pedestrian accident requires careful investigation of all circumstances. In many cases, multiple parties may share liability. The driver who struck you is typically the primary defendant, but the parking garage owner or operator may also be liable if property conditions contributed to the accident. In some cases, a vehicle manufacturer could be liable if a defect (such as faulty backup cameras or brakes) played a role.

Liability analysis considers factors such as whether the driver was negligent in operating their vehicle, whether the property owner failed to maintain safe conditions or warn of hazards, whether inadequate lighting or poor facility design contributed to the accident, whether the pedestrian was in a designated walking area or crossing zone, and whether any third parties (such as contractors responsible for maintenance) bear responsibility.

California's comparative negligence system means that even if you were partially at fault—perhaps by walking in a driving lane when a sidewalk was available—you can still recover damages. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you're found 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would recover $80,000. An experienced attorney can build a strong case minimizing any alleged fault on your part while maximizing recovery from all liable parties.

The evidence you collect immediately after a parking garage accident can make or break your case. If you're physically able, take photographs of the accident scene from multiple angles, showing the exact location where you were struck, lighting conditions in the area, any obstructions to visibility, the vehicle that struck you (including license plate), your visible injuries, and any relevant signage or lack thereof. Video footage can be even more valuable if available.

Parking garages typically have security cameras that may have captured your accident. It's crucial to identify camera locations and request footage immediately, as many systems overwrite recordings after 30-60 days. Your attorney can send preservation letters to ensure evidence isn't destroyed. Also collect contact information from any witnesses who saw the accident occur, as their testimony can corroborate your version of events.

Medical documentation is essential for proving your injuries and damages. Seek immediate medical attention even if you don't think you're seriously hurt—some injuries don't manifest symptoms right away. Keep all medical records, bills, and documentation of treatment. Also document how your injuries affect your daily life through a journal noting pain levels, activities you can't perform, and emotional impacts. This evidence supports claims for pain and suffering damages. Contact our [experienced lawyers](/lawyers) who can help preserve and present this evidence effectively.

California law allows pedestrian accident victims to recover various types of compensation, also called damages. Economic damages include all financial losses such as past and future medical expenses, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, property damage (such as damaged clothing or personal items), and out-of-pocket expenses related to your injury. These damages are calculated based on actual bills, receipts, and expert testimony about future needs.

Non-economic damages compensate for intangible losses that don't have a specific dollar value. These include pain and suffering, emotional distress and mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement and scarring, and loss of consortium (for spouses). California doesn't cap non-economic damages in most personal injury cases, meaning severely injured victims can recover substantial compensation for their suffering.

In rare cases involving egregious conduct, punitive damages may be available. These are designed to punish the defendant and deter similar behavior, such as when a driver was extremely reckless or the property owner knowingly ignored serious hazards. The value of your case depends on factors including the severity of your injuries, the clarity of liability, the insurance coverage available, and the skill of your legal representation. Our firm has achieved impressive [results](/results) for parking garage accident victims, and we can evaluate your case during a free consultation.

If you're struck by a vehicle in a parking garage, taking the right steps immediately afterward can protect both your health and your legal rights. First, seek medical attention right away, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline can mask pain and injuries, and some serious conditions like internal bleeding or brain injuries may not cause immediate symptoms. Call 911 to get emergency responders to the scene, which also creates an official accident report.

If possible, gather information at the scene. Get the driver's name, contact information, insurance details, and license plate number. Take photos of the scene, the vehicle, and your injuries. Identify any witnesses and get their contact information. Note the exact location within the parking garage, lighting conditions, and any factors that contributed to the accident. Don't admit fault or apologize, as these statements can be used against you later.

Report the accident to the parking garage management and request copies of any incident reports they create. Also notify your own insurance company about the accident. Then [contact](/contact) an experienced pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible. Early legal involvement ensures evidence is preserved, witnesses are interviewed while memories are fresh, and you don't make statements to insurance companies that could harm your case. Most personal injury attorneys offer free consultations and work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless you win your case.

Parking garage pedestrian accident cases often involve complex liability issues and multiple potential defendants. An experienced attorney can conduct a thorough investigation to identify all liable parties, obtain and preserve critical evidence like security footage, reconstruct the accident to establish how it occurred, identify all applicable insurance policies, and determine the full value of your claim including future damages. These cases require legal expertise that most accident victims don't possess.

Your attorney will handle all communications with insurance companies, protecting you from tactics designed to minimize your compensation. Insurance adjusters often contact victims shortly after accidents, hoping to obtain recorded statements or quick settlements before the full extent of injuries is known. Your lawyer will ensure you don't say anything that could harm your case and will negotiate aggressively for maximum compensation.

If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney will be prepared to take your case to trial. This requires extensive preparation including deposing witnesses, retaining expert witnesses, preparing exhibits and demonstrative evidence, and presenting a compelling case to a jury. Most cases settle before trial, but having an attorney willing and able to litigate gives you leverage in negotiations. At Hurt Advice, we've successfully represented numerous [car accident](/car-accidents) and pedestrian accident victims, and we're ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation about your parking garage accident case.