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Pedestrian Accidents in Pizza Hut Parking Lots in California

Maison Law’s team of California pedestrian accident lawyers help victims hurt in fast food parking lots. Whether it happens in a Pizza Hut, or some other restaurant, it can leave you facing significant injuries and other damages. In this situation, you’ll want to think about your legal options. Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation to learn more.

When Do You Need a Lawyer?

Pedestrian accidents can bring a lot of uncertainty. Whether you need a lawyer depends on the severity of your injuries and the complexity of the case. Minor injuries might not require legal assistance, but serious injuries or complicated situations can benefit from having our lawyers on your side. We can:

  • Explain the law and what your legal options are
  • Assist you in collecting evidence and documentation
  • Handle all the communications with insurance companies
  • Take the burden of the legal process off you and your family

Pedestrian accidents in Pizza Hut parking lots can be challenging to navigate, but our team is here to support your claim and guide you through the legal process. The first step is figuring out who is responsible for the accident, which isn’t always easy in these situations.

Who’s Responsible For an Accident in a Pizza Hut Parking Lot?

Although it’s somewhat unique, a pedestrian accident in the parking lot of a Pizza Hut in California is viewed the same as any other type of accident under the law. So, the way you figure out who’s responsible for your particular accident is establishing negligence.

This is an extremely important aspect of your case, and pretty much sets the course for how it will play out. That said, it can get complicated depending on what actually happened. Generally, Pizza Hut has a duty to keep its property safe for customers, and that includes their parking lot. Where this can get complicated is when the Pizza Hut is in a shopping center with other stores and restaurants. It doesn’t change your options, but it can make figuring out responsibility a bit tougher. Still, any of the following can share responsibility besides Pizza Hut:

  • The owner or manager of the property where the Pizza Hut building is located
  • The driver that hit you
  • Passengers or other pedestrians involved
  • Local or state government agencies
  • Vehicle or parts manufacturers

 

There’s also “comparative negligence” to contend with. This is a legal concept that says any percentage of fault you contribute to the accident–like if you weren’t paying attention or disregarding signs–will reduce your recovery of damages by the same percentage.

What Damages Are Available After a Pedestrian Accident?

Another huge part of your claim is your losses. This is the legal term for your losses relating to your injuries. It doesn’t just include the economic side of things, but also gives you access to certain “non-economic” damages as well.

All told, these make up your “damages.” Whether you file an insurance claim or a lawsuit, working with our team can improve your chances of a favorable outcome. Your injury claim can help you get the following if your claim is successful:

  • Medical expenses – These cover costs like ambulance services, hospitalization, tests, surgery, follow-up care, and medication.

  • Future medical expenses – You can also get costs for ongoing treatment of permanent injuries.

  • Costs for medical devices – These damages include expenses for devices like wheelchairs, canes, or artificial limbs.

  • Lost income – These cover any wages lost due to missed work or permanent impact on your ability to work.

  • Physical pain and suffering – These address the discomfort caused by the accident and injuries.

  • Emotional distress – Similarly, these damages are for the psychological impact of the accident.

  • Loss of consortium – These relate to the strain on your relationship with your spouse.

  • Diminished quality of life – These damages are for reduced enjoyment of activities or lifestyle changes post-accident.

Not all of these damages will apply to every case. Our experienced lawyers can help you understand your specific situation and potential damages. Remember, in California, you have a two-year statute of limitations for filing a claim after an accident. Miss it, and you can’t recover damages at all, no matter how strong your claim is.

Do You Need to Do Anything After the Accident?

While it’s true that you have legal rights and options after you’re hurt in a Pizza Hut parking lot, that doesn’t mean you can just sit back and wait. You have to be proactive about your health and your claim, especially when an insurance company gets involved (which it will.) Basically, they’re going to take any opportunity they can to devalue your claim. So, it becomes vital that you do a few things after the accident itself:

  • Get medical help – Your health always comes first. Dial 911 immediately for medical assistance. If your injuries are more serious, they’ll likely take you to an emergency room.

  • Tell Pizza Hut about the accident – If you’re able, tell a Pizza Hut employee or manager about the incident. They should then take necessary steps to help you and fix any issues.

  • Start collecting information – Get contact and any insurance details from all parties involved. This information is crucial for your claim.

  • Document the accident scene – Strengthen your case by taking photos or videos of the accident scene and any damages sustained.

  • Don’t apologize – Don’t admit fault or apologize, as it could be misconstrued as accepting blame and may weaken your case.

 

Obviously, whether or not you’re able to do these things depends on your injuries. Regardless, you have to at least make an attempt to show that you’re responding in the right way. This has the added benefit of potentially strengthening your case.

What Can Cause an Accident in a Pizza Hut Parking Lot?

Another difficult thing about pedestrian accident situations in a Pizza Hut parking lot is the sheer number of things that can happen to you. It’s not just about moving vehicles, although that’s a large part of the equation. There’s a number of things that can cause one of these accidents:

  • Distractions – Drivers frequently let their guard down once in a parking lot, and are focused on finding a spot, getting food, or otherwise drive while distracted. This leads to accidents.

 

  • Not paying attention – Backing out of parking spaces can be dangerous due to limited visibility, with pedestrians or other vehicles potentially nearby.

 

  • Poor markings or designs – Inadequate signage, unclear markings, and tight spaces within the Pizza Hut parking lot can lead to confusion and contribute to accidents.

 

  • Lack of visibility – When the parking lot isn’t maintained, it can lead to instances where there’s a lack of visibility.

 

  • Inadequate security – When there’s poor lighting or no cameras, it can leave you vulnerable to criminal acts, like assaults or robberies.

 

With lots of factors involved in these accidents, it’s vital to stay vigilant and keep an eye on others when walking in a Pizza Hut parking lot. While knowing what causes these accidents can help you steer clear of them, preventing every one isn’t always possible. When this happens, you can rely on our team for legal support.

Turn to Maison Law After a Pedestrian Accident in a Pizza Hut Parking Lot in California

Being in an accident as a pedestrian is challenging enough on its own, but when it happens in a Pizza Hut parking lot, it can be even tougher. Not only are you likely dealing with serious injuries, but there’s potentially many people involved trying to escape responsibility. In this situation, you can turn to our experienced California pedestrian accident lawyers at Maison Law. We’ll review what happened, get evidence for your claim, then guide it through the legal process so you can focus on recovery. Don’t wait–contact us today to set up your free consultation.