Injured in a mall parking lot or parking structure
Mall parking lots and structures see heavy traffic from both cars and pedestrians. Injuries there can come from falls, vehicle collisions, or criminal acts.
Common parking lot hazards
- Potholes, broken curbs, wheel stops, and uneven pavement
- Poor lighting in garages and stairwells
- Oil, water, or debris on ramps and walkways
- Confusing traffic flow, missing crosswalks, or blocked sight lines
- Inadequate security where prior incidents made crime foreseeable
Hit by a car in the lot
If a driver hit you, the driver and their insurer are usually involved. The property owner may also share responsibility if the lot’s design, signage, or lighting contributed.
Assaults and inadequate security
Property owners are not responsible for every crime on their property. But where prior similar incidents made harm foreseeable, an owner may be required to take reasonable security measures. These cases depend heavily on facts.
Government-owned parking
If the lot or structure is owned by a city or other public entity, California generally requires a written government claim within six months. See our California deadlines guide.
What to do
Get medical care, report the incident to mall security and police if appropriate, photograph the hazard and lighting, note the level and space number, collect witness names, and ask that video be preserved.
Have questions about your situation? An attorney can review the facts with you for free and with no obligation.
General information only, not legal advice. Every situation is different, and no particular outcome is guaranteed.
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