Florida Car Accidents on Private Property
Driving on private property happens more frequently than most people may realize. Most of the time that you park your car in a grocery store parking lot, you are on private property. In Florida, many neighborhoods have private roads. According to the Florida Highway Safety Car Accidents Crash Facts Report 15% of all accidents that involve property damage happen on private property. These car accidents can be more serious. On June 22nd, 2017 a woman was killed in an Englewood, Florida, parking lot after a car backed into her.
Who is at fault in private property car accidents?
Some people don’t realize that rules that apply to public property may not be the same on private property. In some cases, it may be difficult to get a police report for a car accident on private property. Even with a police report, the at-fault party may not be clearly established. In many of these cases getting crucial evidence from a property owner can be a challenge.
Southwest Florida Property Owner Liability
Improperly maintained private property may shift liability to the owner of the property. The following are examples of neglect on the part of a property owner.
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- Missing stop signs
- Blind spots due to overgrown foliage or other conditions causing line of sight issues
- Missing direction signs
- Poorly maintained driving surface
Liability may belong partially or entirely to the property owner. Property owner liability can create an extra wrinkle when determining the at-fault party in a private property car accident.
Who to call if you’re the victim of a car accident on private property
As the victim of a car accident on private ,property it is important to seek legal representation. Knowing your rights can help begin the recovery process. We have six offices in Southwest Florida. Our offices are conveniently located in Fort Myers (two offices to serve you), Cape Coral, Naples, Lehigh Acres and Port Charlotte. Call Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz today to schedule your appointment for a free consultation.