Friday Night Football Parking Lot Injuries When Schools and Stadiums Are Responsible in Hillsborough County

Football games in Hillsborough County bring communities together, especially during the highly anticipated Friday night games. However, these events also bring with them a fair share of risks. One of the most common dangers is the parking lot, where accidents can result in serious injuries. Whether it’s due to poor lighting, uneven surfaces, or reckless driving, injuries sustained in stadium parking lots are a real concern. But when someone is hurt, who is at fault? Are the schools and stadiums responsible for maintaining safe environments? 

Duty of Care of Schools and Stadiums

In Hillsborough County, as in most places, property owners have a legal obligation to keep their premises safe. This includes stadiums and the surrounding parking lots. The term “duty of care” refers to the obligation to maintain safe conditions for those who visit. The law dictates that the property owner must ensure that the parking lot is free of hazards that could reasonably cause harm to visitors. This can involve ensuring proper lighting, removing obstacles, and ensuring that there are no puddles of water or ice that could lead to slips and falls.

When it comes to football games, these parking lots can get quite crowded. Fans are eager to attend the game, and the rush to park or leave after the event can result in accidents. Stadiums and schools need to consider these conditions and take proactive steps to prevent accidents.

The Role of Negligence in Parking Lot Accidents

Negligence plays a crucial role when determining liability in parking lot accidents. In Hillsborough County, a property owner can be held responsible for injuries sustained on their premises if negligence can be proven. For example, if a parking lot has poor lighting or uneven pavement, and someone falls or gets injured as a result, this could be a case of negligence. Property owners are expected to inspect and maintain their property regularly to avoid such risks.

Michael Serrano

Founding Attorney

Candace “Cea” Hartley

Attorney

Molli Gard, ESQ.

Attorney

The law recognizes that accidents can happen, but when they are caused by a failure to uphold the duty of care, the property owner may be liable. This is especially true if the injury was foreseeable and could have been prevented with reasonable precautions. In the case of football stadiums, the volume of people and the high traffic areas make it even more critical to ensure that the environment is as safe as possible.

Premises Liability in Hillsborough County

Premises liability refers to the legal responsibility of a property owner to ensure the safety of their premises. In the case of stadium parking lots, premises liability can apply when an injury occurs due to unsafe conditions that were either ignored or not addressed by the property owner. This can include issues such as potholes, spills, cracked sidewalks, or even poor signage that causes confusion or accidents.

In Florida, premises liability extends to both the owner and any other entities responsible for the maintenance of the property. Stadiums often contract third-party companies to handle things like cleaning or parking lot security. If any of these contractors fail to uphold safety standards, it may increase the stadium’s or school’s liability in case of injury.

For example, if a stadium fails to clear away ice in the parking lot in winter months, or if a spill is not cleaned up in a timely manner, it might lead to a fall. If these issues were preventable and the stadium didn’t act in time, the injured party could potentially hold the venue accountable for their injuries.

Mike Serrano’s law office was everything I needed after a very traumatic accident. He was always super up front and honest with me. I never got the feeling he was trying to sell me on something or to do something that I wasn’t comfortable with. He listened to my concerns and when it tough moments came that I needed to stand my ground. He backed me and made me feel 100% secure. He got me exactly what I needed in a settlement and I would never consider using anyone else. His office staff is also phenomenal.”

- Mary

Mike Serrano was a great attorney for my case!! He was very flexible with phone calls/ Zoom meetings. His staff are always friendly, whether it be on the phone or emails. They keep you updated during your entire case! They don’t leave you silent for months. if you call, they always call back with updates! Highly recommend!"

- Kylie Collier Border

I’ve never had to deal with a lawyer before but Mike has set the bar HIGH. He was always available to communicate my concerns and explain each step of the way. I know no other lawyer would have been able to achieve the same results because he jumped on an opportunity that was a little out of the ordinary and it paid off. He really fought for my case and over delivered. I really hope I never have another accident but if I do I’m running to Mike for help."

- Sandy Carter

Liability in Cases of Reckless Behavior

While most parking lot accidents result from environmental hazards or poorly maintained infrastructure, not all injuries are the result of negligence. In some instances, reckless behavior from individuals can be the root cause of the injury. For example, if a person is injured due to a reckless driver speeding in the parking lot, the responsibility may fall on the individual driver rather than the stadium or school.

However, this does not absolve the stadium or school of responsibility altogether. If the venue failed to provide adequate security or did not properly manage the flow of traffic, this might still be considered negligence. Parking lots with poorly marked spaces or no traffic control could encourage dangerous driving behavior, which may place liability on the venue if these issues contributed to the accident.

The Importance of Proper Parking Lot Design and Maintenance

Proper design and maintenance of a parking lot are key in preventing accidents. Stadiums and schools in Hillsborough County are expected to ensure that their parking lots are not only functional but also safe. This means ensuring proper signage, clear lanes for driving and parking, and adequately marked crosswalks for pedestrians. Without these elements, the risk of accidents and injuries increases significantly.

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A well-designed parking lot can prevent confusion, reduce the risk of accidents, and help people park and leave the game safely. Moreover, regular maintenance is essential in keeping the parking lot in good condition. Cracked pavement, potholes, or exposed wiring are common causes of trips and falls, which could easily result in injury.

When Stadiums and Schools May Not Be Responsible

While schools and stadiums are responsible for maintaining safe environments, not every injury in a parking lot can be attributed to their negligence. In cases where an injury occurs because of the injured party’s own actions, or because of another person’s reckless behavior, the stadium or school may not be held responsible. For instance, if someone is texting while walking and trips over an object that was clearly visible, the venue may not be liable for the injury.

Additionally, injuries caused by criminal behavior, such as fights or attacks in the parking lot, may not be the venue’s responsibility if they have already taken reasonable steps to provide security. This could include having security officers on site, adequate lighting, and surveillance cameras. However, if the stadium or school failed to take reasonable steps to prevent such incidents, they could still be held liable.

Case Results

Car Accident

This client was injured in an auto accident with a driver who improperly merged into her lane. Her vehicle was totaled. She sustained an aggravation of her pre-existing disc herniations in her neck and new disc herniations in her lower back. We obtained the full limits of both the at-fault driver’s bodily injury coverage and our client’s underinsured motorist coverage, which were significant. The settlement was achieved without a law suit and within four months after the client finished treating.

Rear End Collision

This particular client was injured in an accident in late 2015 when she was rear-ended. She sustained an aggravation of pre-existing disc herniations in her neck and a new disc herniation which ultimately required a surgical fusion. By the time of trial, her medical bills exceeded $180,000.00. The Defendants’ offer pre-suit was $20,000.00. We were able to obtain a jury verdict of $441,000.00, plus attorneys’ fees.

Car Accident

A client was injured in a rear-end collision where he sustained an aggravation of a pre-existing disc bulge that developed into a herniation in his lower back. We obtained a jury verdict which was over 6 times what had been offered prior to trial.

Car Accident

In this case, our client injured her shoulder after being struck by a vehicle while she was performing volunteer services. The driver was traveling at such a high rate of speed entering a parking lot that he clipped another vehicle, hit a parking barrier and was launched into a tree. After the client attempted to negotiate with the insurance company prior to hiring us, we were able to obtain an amount that was over double the prior offer.

Intentional Torts

Our client was injured from an assault by a patron of a party while working security. His shoulder required multiple surgeries. He hired our office to pursue a claim to recoup his medical bills, which exceeded $130,000.00. After his assailant offered him $10,000.00 to resolve his case, we took the case to a jury to decide. The jury awarded our client all of his medical bills and tripled his award for pain and suffering.

Car Accident

This client came to us about a car wreck that occurred in 2014 where she sustained injuries. She approached our firm just one week before the statute of limitations was set to expire after being turned away by several other law firms. We filed a lawsuit and were able to obtain the limits of the at-fault driver’s bodily injury coverage and an additional settlement from the client’s insurance carrier.

Truck Crash

This couple was injured in an automobile accident after they were rear-ended in a seven-car pileup caused by a semi-trailer. Of the 15 people who made claims on the same insurance policy, our clients each received the second and third highest offers, which covered all of their past and future medical bills and their attorney’s fees.

Truck Crash

In this case, our client was injured from a rear-end collision with an eighteen-wheeler. Her original lawyer procured a settlement offer of $7,000.00 to settle her case. Because the offer did not approach the amount of bills she incurred from accident related treatment, she came to our firm for a consultation. She decided to hire us. We promptly filed suit and obtained a settlement for her.

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Legal Action for Parking Lot Injuries

If you have been injured in a parking lot during a football game in Hillsborough County, you may be entitled to compensation. Personal injury claims can help recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses resulting from the accident. To pursue a claim, you will need to prove that the stadium or school was negligent in maintaining safe conditions, or that they failed to act to prevent the accident.

The first step in pursuing a claim is to contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can assess the situation and help you navigate the legal process. Attorneys will review the facts of the case, gather evidence, and work to establish that the venue was responsible for the injury.

Football games in Hillsborough County are meant to be a fun and exciting experience for the entire community. However, the parking lots at these stadiums can pose serious risks to those attending these events. It is important for schools and stadiums to take the necessary precautions to keep their parking lots safe for everyone. Whether it’s maintaining the parking lot or providing proper security, the venue must ensure that visitors are protected from harm.

If you’ve been injured in a parking lot accident during a football game in Hillsborough County, you may be entitled to compensation. At Serrano Law, we are committed to helping you understand your rights and hold responsible parties accountable for their negligence. Contact us today for a consultation and let us help you get the justice you deserve.

To learn more about this subject click here: Medical Treatment and Car Accident Claims: FAQs for Florida Residents