If you’ve been hurt in a Starbucks or another fast-food restaurant parking lot in California, our pedestrian accident lawyers at Maison Law are ready to support you. These accidents are often avoidable and can be frustrating, but can still leave you injured. You have certain options in this situation. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more.
Do You Even Need a Lawyer?
When you think about the sheer number of people that go in and out of a Starbucks parking lot every day, it’s really no surprise that so many accidents happen there. But whether or not you need a lawyer depends on the circumstances.
If you have questions about who’s responsible or your injuries are extensive, having a lawyer on your side can be hugely beneficial. Our team has the skills and experience to help you by:
- Clarify your rights and options
- Assist in gathering evidence and records
- Communicate with insurance companies on your behalf
- Simplify the legal process for you and your family
Pedestrian accidents in Starbucks parking lots can be challenging to go through, both physically and financially. However, our team is here to support your claim and guide you through the legal process. And the first step is determining who is responsible for the accident.
How Responsible is Starbucks For a Parking Lot Accident?
You might think Starbucks will be responsible when there’s an accident in their parking lot. While they’ll probably share some level of fault, it’s not always so straightforward. When you get hurt as a pedestrian, it depends on the circumstances when figuring out who’s responsible.
Generally speaking, the standard for this is showing “negligence.” When it comes to an accident in a Starbucks parking lot, many different scenarios come up:
- Driving too fast
- Driving while distracted
- Failing to yield to you or other pedestrians
- Ignoring traffic signals
- Reversing without checking for pedestrians
- Driving under the influence
- Poor lighting or visibility conditions
- Damaged or uneven pavement
- Parking in pedestrian-designated zones
So, in cases where you’re hit by a driver, they’ll carry most of the responsibility (and it may not involve the Starbucks at all.) However, if you’re injured because there was a poorly marked parking lot and the driver was confused, the driver will share responsibility with the Starbucks or whoever manages the parking lot.
Thus, there’s a number of potentially liable parties in these accidents:
- Drivers
- Starbucks
- Property owners or managers of the parking lot
- Local government agencies
- Parts or vehicle manufacturers
- Other pedestrians
Numerous factors can contribute to an accident in a Starbucks parking lot. But it’s negligence that makes it a potential legal action.
What Are Your Legal Options After a Starbucks Parking Lot Accident?
If there’s any positives about being in a Starbucks parking lot accident, it’s that it gives you certain legal options. As a victim of someone else’s negligence, you have the legal right to file an injury claim against whoever was responsible. Most of the time, this involves two potential options:
- Filing an insurance claim
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit
In both cases, you formally submit a claim and present supporting evidence. Depending on the strength of your evidence and other factors, you can potentially recover “damages” that include:
- Medical expenses – This covers all the costs related to your medical care. It includes fees for doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, and any medications you need to recover from your injuries.
- Permanent injury – If your injuries require long-term care or result in a permanent disability, this support helps cover the costs of ongoing treatments, physical therapy, and any special equipment you might need.
- Lost income – If your injuries prevent you from working, either temporarily or permanently, these financial considerations can make up for the money you would have earned. It includes both the wages you’ve already lost and what you would have earned in the future.
- Pain and suffering – Beyond the physical injuries, accidents can cause significant emotional and mental pain. These damages acknowledge the suffering and distress you experience due to the accident.
- Property damage – If any of your personal items were damaged in the accident, such as your phone, clothing, or other belongings, this helps cover the cost to repair or replace them.
- Loss of companionship and quality of life – Severe injuries can impact your ability to enjoy life and maintain relationships. This type of financial consideration is for the loss of companionship and the reduced quality of life you might experience after the accident.
Every accident you go through as a pedestrian is going to cause you some level of damage. While it’s the extent of your injuries and other losses that’s going to determine just how much you can get back in an injury claim, it’s ultimately up to you to show this in your claim. And remember, you have two years from the date of the accident to file your claim. Miss this deadline, and you can’t file one at all.
How Can You Prove Your Claim After a Starbucks Parking Lot Accident?
It’s difficult to think about being in an accident in a Starbucks parking lot, but the reality is that you have to do a few things to strengthen your claim when you’re in one. Just having the legal right to file an injury claim isn’t an automatic ticket to damages. So, when you’re involved in an accident in a Starbucks parking lot, here’s what you need to do to prove your claim:
- Check for injuries and assess the situation – If you’re out of harm’s way, check for any injuries and see what you need to do. It’s a good idea to call for an ambulance if you’re hurt.
- Tell Starbucks management about what happened – You have to also report the accident to Starbucks. This means telling an employee or manager about what happened. This lets them respond and they can also provide you with first aid.
- Gather evidence at the scene – Use your phone or somebody else’s to document the scene with pictures and videos. You’ll want to document your injuries, any property or vehicle damage, and anything that led up to the accident.
- Be careful with statements – Don’t discuss the accident with anyone except your lawyer or authorities. Avoid admitting fault or making statements to insurance companies without legal advice, as anything you say could be used against you in the claims process.
- Preserve evidence – Keep anything related to the accident, like pictures and any damaged clothing or property. Also, retain records of medical treatment, bills, and other accident-related expenses. We can help you get security footage if it exists.
Regardless of how hurt you are or what happens, taking these steps will be very important to your claim. Your injuries, like most aspects of your case, will depend on how the accident happened. Regardless of your injuries, prioritize your health first. Once you’ve addressed your medical needs, you can focus on your legal options, and we’ll support you.
Free Consultations After a Pedestrian Accident in a Starbucks Parking Lot
At Maison Law, our California pedestrian accident lawyers are here to guide you through the legal process and help you recover after you’ve been hurt in a Starbucks parking lot. There’s no reason that you should have to suffer injuries because someone else was careless. Contact us today for a free consultation to start the recovery process.
