Injured by a Reckless Driver in a Mall Parking Lot: Who Can I Sue?

Over the holidays, New Hampshire’s malls flooded with people bringing plenty of Christmas spirit, but many discovered the surprising dangers associated with shopping in the modern era. Simply walking to your vehicle in a parking lot can become incredibly dangerous when drivers operate their vehicles in a highly reckless manner. During the holiday season, drivers may be more concerned with completing their shopping lists than following even the most basic tenets of traffic safety. What can you do if you were injured by a reckless driver in a New Hampshire mall parking lot?

Malls in New Hampshire Can Be Surprisingly Dangerous 

Malls in New Hampshire have become increasingly dangerous due to a combination of crime, driver negligence, and the lack of action taken by property owners. On December 20th, it was reported that a police pursuit caused a vehicle to crash near the Mall of New Hampshire in Manchester. Images from the crash show the seriously damaged vehicle crashed on a sidewalk near the mall. The crash seems to have occurred on mall property.

Although the chase began on I-293, the suspect exited the highway and tried to lose the police on a mall access road. The suspect then drove the wrong way into oncoming traffic before crashing into another vehicle. The driver of this vehicle was apparently trying to enter the mall, and they were completely surprised by the high-speed chase suddenly erupting in the parking lot.

Although the suspects were taken into custody and no major injuries were reported, this report highlights the mayhem that can break out in a mall parking lot. Although these parking lots are typically associated with quiet, slow-moving traffic, anything can happen in the modern era.

Who Is Liable for an Injury at a Mall Parking Lot? 

If you were injured by a reckless driver while walking in a mall parking lot, a number of parties may be liable. The most obvious party is the driver, and you may have the opportunity to file a claim against their insurance policy. However, many reckless drivers do not have insurance, and some might even be criminals who are operating stolen vehicles.

In this situation, it may be worth exploring other potential sources of compensation. For example, the mall may be held liable for negligent security if the injury was caused by a criminal – perhaps a shoplifter attempting to flee the area. You might also sue the mall if the accident was caused by some kind of safety hazard in the parking lot – such as a pothole or confusing signage.

Finally, it may be possible to sue the police for an irresponsible car chase in a mall parking lot. Police should know better than to chase suspects into a mall parking lot where children and adults are likely to be walking to their vehicles. The logical thing to do in this situation would be to call off the police pursuit in the interest of public safety.

Find a Qualified, Experienced Injury Attorney in New Hampshire 

Each injury case is slightly different, and it’s difficult to determine who might be liable for your injuries without speaking with a qualified Manchester personal injury attorney. Book a consultation with the Law Office of Manning Zimmerman & Oliveira today to discuss your unique situation in more detail. With our help, you can strive for compensation in a confident, efficient manner.

Sources: 

nbcboston.com/news/local/two-arrested-after-police-chase-crash-near-mall-of-new-hampshire/3224674/

unionleader.com/news/safety/two-arrested-after-pursuit-ends-in-crash-at-manchester-mall/article_6ef0d906-72ef-55c7-a153-15fb43cf707c.html