Maison Law represents pedestrian accident victims in California, including those that have been hurt in a Subway parking lot. A fast food restaurant parking lot is a busy place for both drivers and pedestrians, but you need to be prepared if you get hurt. Our California pedestrian accident lawyers will be there to guide you through the process. Contact us today for a free consultation to talk about your claim.
When Should You Hire a Lawyer?
There’s no rule or law in California that says you need to have a lawyer represent you in a claim when you get hurt. But the reality is that it’s extremely difficult to try to deal with both your injuries and an injury claim. Hopefully, your injuries are only minor and won’t require legal action, but if not, you should definitely think about working with our lawyers.
Working with us can simplify handling the legal side of things after a pedestrian accident. Our team brings negotiation skills to the table, making sure you get a fair deal from insurance companies. We can also defend your rights against any unfair tactics from these companies.
By letting us handle paperwork and communication, you can focus on your recovery with reduced stress. Remember, every pedestrian accident case is unique, and our skilled team can provide tailored advice for your situation. Plus, we offer free initial consultations and work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs for you.
What Are Your Injury Claim Options After an Accident in a Subway Parking Lot?
You have two main options for filing an injury claim after you’ve been hurt in an accident in a Subway parking lot in California:
- Filing an insurance claim
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit
Both options are very similar, but have one key difference: an insurance claim happens outside of court, meaning that it’s much less formal and is totally controlled by the insurance company. As such, they get to decide what they want to offer you in terms of a settlement. And their overall goal is to pay you as little as possible. So, filing a lawsuit gives you a better chance at a fair resolution, but takes much more time and effort because it’s a formal court case.
Regardless, we can support either way you decide to go. The main reason to file an injury claim to begin with is to recover “damages” from the responsible party. This is just the legal term for your losses, but can help you potentially get back things like your:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages or earning potential
- Property damage replacement or repair costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of companionship
- Reduced quality of life
Deciding to go through with an injury claim and recovering damages is an extremely important part of your physical and financial recovery. But there’s two very important points to remember: first, you have to file within California’s statute of limitations, which is two years from the date of the accident itself. Miss this deadline and you can’t file a claim at all. Then, there’s the process of figuring out who pays for your damages.
Who Pays For Your Damages After a Subway Parking Lot Accident?
After an accident at a Subway parking lot, assigning blame may seem straightforward, but it’s not always clear-cut, especially in these instances. While Subway bears some responsibility for incidents on its property, the extent varies based on circumstances.
For instance, if a driver is not paying attention and runs into you, they primarily hold liability. However, Subway may share liability if:
- Warning signs were absent,
- Parking lot markings were incorrect,
- Lighting or maintenance was inadequate.
Ultimately, liability hinges on the situation. So, it could fall on any of the following parties depending on what happened:
- Subway
- The driver that hit you
- Other pedestrians
- The owner or manager of the lot (if it’s not the Subway restaurant)
- Local government agencies
- Part or product manufacturers
The reason that liability is so important is because it establishes who is legally responsible for paying for your damages. And in a pedestrian accident, your damages could be significant. That’s why you need to know what you can do to protect your claim.
How Can You Protect Your Injury Claim?
Having the right to file an injury claim isn’t enough to get your damages back. You need to shield your claim from insurance company tactics and, if you go to court, prove your damages to a judge and jury. To protect your claim, it becomes necessary to do the following:
- Get medical help – Your health comes first. Call 911 for immediate assistance and seek further care at a hospital if needed. You might also ask that someone inside the Subway provide you with first aid.
- Notify Subway about the accident – At the same time, tell an employee or the manager of the Subway about the accident so they can help you and take care of any hazards to stop future incidents.
- Call the police – If your injuries are serious, the police need to be called so they can report to the scene and help clear it. They can also help you gather contact and insurance information if you’re not able to.
- Collect information – Gather contact and insurance details from everyone that’s involved. This information is vital for your claim. Also, strengthen your case with photos or videos of the accident and any damage.
- Be cautious – Avoid apologizing or admitting fault, as this can weaken your case. Also, don’t post about the accident on social media. Insurance companies and investigators will be looking for any evidence they can to use against you.
Taking these steps is very important to both your health and your claim, but it’s much easier said than done when you’re hurt. And unfortunately, you’re extremely vulnerable to injuries when you’re a pedestrian, whether it comes from a car hitting you or a fall. Whether it’s a broken bone, head injury, burn, or any other injury, you still have to think about your claim. And that’s when you can turn to our experienced team for guidance and support.
Trust Maison Law For Legal Guidance and Support After a California Subway Parking Lot Accident
When you’re hurt in a California pedestrian accident in a Subway parking lot, you need legal guidance and support you can trust. At Maison Law, we have the experience and dedication you need. We’ll explain your options and then guide you through the process from start to finish. Don’t wait–contact us today for a free consultation if you’ve been injured in a Subway parking lot.
