While navigating the roadways, you will likely encounter a parking garage, as these structures are located everywhere nowadays to combat the lack of street parking in Maryland. Whether traveling on foot or in a vehicle, it is imperative not to let your guard down, as these facilities often present unique risks. Various types of accidents can arise in these structures, including devastating slip-and-fall accidents and tragic collisions. Research shows nearly 50,000 auto accidents happen in parking garages annually. If you or someone you care about has been injured in a parking garage accident, contact our qualified Prince George’s County Personal Injury Lawyers, who can help you effectively fight for the compensation you deserve and need to get your life back on track. Please continue reading to learn about some of the most common causes of parking garage accidents in Maryland. 

What are some of the most common causes of parking garage accidents in Maryland?

While parking garages may appear less hazardous than roadways, they can be busy areas with lots of activity, presenting unique dangers to drivers and pedestrians. The following include but are not limited to some of the most common causes of accidents in parking garages:

  • Insufficient lighting. To safely move around a parking garage, drivers and pedestrians need sufficient lighting to identify potential dangers. Poor lighting can diminish drivers’ and pedestrians’ visibility, making it nearly impossible to navigate these structures safely. When there is insufficient lighting, it may prevent them from seeing and being able to react to potential hazards.
  • Lack of maintenance. Improperly maintained parking garages are hazardous to drivers and pedestrians as unsafe property conditions can cause various types of accidents. When the appropriate parties fail to fix a dangerous property condition, such as cracked pavement, uneven surfaces, potholes, and other unsafe property conditions, pedestrians are more susceptible to trips, slips, and falls, resulting in serious injuries. Similarly, defects in parking areas can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicle, resulting in a crash.
  • Distracted driving or inattention. Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of accidents in parking garages. Vehicles usually travel at lower speeds in these facilities, which causes drivers and pedestrians to think they can safely multitask. However, that is not the case. Drivers and pedestrians must be attentive to the task at hand, such as driving and walking, to prevent accidents and injuries, as even if they take their eyes off the road for a second could have devastating consequences.
  • Missing or conflicting signage. The signage in parking garages is vital in ensuring smooth traffic flow. When signs that indicate speed limits, one-ways, loading zones, and handicapped parking are missing, damaged, unclear, or conflicting, it can cause a lot of confusion among drivers and pedestrians. Missing or conflicting signage can cause drivers and pedestrians to end up in the wrong place at the wrong time, leading to an accident.

As you can see, there are various reasons why accidents can happen in a parking garage. Parking garages offer unique challenges, meaning drivers and pedestrians must remain vigilant while navigating these structures to keep everyone safe.

If you’ve been injured in a parking garage accident, it is in your best interest to contact a skilled lawyer from Timian & Fawcett, LLC, who will work tirelessly to help you attain maximum compensation for your damages.