Parking Lot Accidents

Parking Lot Accident Attorneys in Michigan

Parking lots might seem like low-risk environments, but they account for a surprising number of serious injuries in Michigan. Between pedestrians walking between cars, drivers backing out blind, poorly lit structures, ice-covered surfaces in winter, and crumbling pavement with no maintenance, parking lots are a liability minefield. And when you get hurt in one, figuring out who's actually responsible — the property owner, the management company, the tenant, or another driver — is where it gets complicated.

Koussan Law handles parking lot injury cases throughout Metro Detroit and Michigan, whether you were hit by a car as a pedestrian, tripped on a pothole, or slipped on ice that should have been salted hours ago.

Premises Liability for Parking Lot Owners

Under MCL § 600.2949a, parking lot owners owe invitees (anyone lawfully using the lot) a duty to maintain the property in a reasonably safe condition. That includes repairing potholes and cracked pavement, maintaining adequate lighting, clearing snow and ice within a reasonable time, painting lane markings and directional arrows, and installing proper signage and speed bumps.

The open-and-obvious defense is the first thing the property owner's insurer raises. They'll argue that the pothole was visible or the ice was something you should have expected in a Michigan winter. But Michigan courts have carved out exceptions: if the hazard was effectively unavoidable (the only path from your car to the store entrance), or if special aspects made it unreasonably dangerous (black ice at night in a lot with broken lights), the open-and-obvious defense fails.

Vehicle-on-Pedestrian Parking Lot Crashes

Drivers backing out of spaces without looking, speeding through parking lot lanes, running stop signs at lot intersections, and distracted driving while looking for a space are all common causes of pedestrian injuries in parking lots. These are negligence claims against the driver, and Michigan's no-fault system applies differently depending on whether the parking lot qualifies as a "roadway" or private property.

If the crash happened on private property (which most parking lots are), the standard negligence analysis under Michigan common law applies, and you can pursue a third-party claim against the at-fault driver. Your PIP benefits under MCL § 500.3105 still apply because no-fault coverage extends to motor vehicle accidents on or off public roads.

Winter Conditions and Snow/Ice Liability

Michigan parking lot owners and their snow removal contractors have a duty to clear snow and ice within a reasonable time after a weather event. We've handled cases in Southfield, Troy, and Dearborn where property management companies contracted with snow removal services that only plowed once — leaving refreeze ice for days. Under MCL § 600.2949a, the property owner can't delegate away their duty: even if they hired a contractor, they remain liable if the lot isn't reasonably safe.

If you were injured in a parking lot accident in Michigan — whether from a vehicle collision, slip-and-fall, or structural hazard — call (313) 800-0000 for a free consultation. We'll pull the maintenance records, surveillance footage, and contractor agreements.

Use our free case calculator for a preliminary estimate of your claim value.