Articles Tagged with Best Parking Lot Shooting Victim Attorney

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Parking facilities present inherent security challenges as they frequently occupy a large space with low levels of activity and numerous hiding places for would-be attackers. While parking facility owners are required by law to protect patrons from any foreseeable harm, Montgomery Chief of Police and former Secret Service agent, Jim Napolitano, urges patrons to take security precautions of their own.

KPRC Channel 2 asked Chief Napolitano to safely navigate patrons through a few common parking facility scenarios:

Scenario 1: Someone tries to snatch your purse while you’re walking to your car

“Check for hiding spots where predators could lurk and walk in the center aisle of the lot.” Remember your safety is more important than your bag.

Scenario 2: An encounter with a stranger in a parking garage

“He’ll act like he’s not paying attention to you, but you know he’s following you….The best thing to do is obviously assess the situation, get away from them as quickly as possible, get some distance between you (and) go back into the building where you came from, not past him. If you have to go out of the garage and all the way around, do it as quickly and as fast as you can.”

Scenario 3: Targeting shoppers as they load groceries into their cars

“You want to take your purse or your bag. Then, once it’s secured on your shoulder, you pick up your child, and take them to the (vehicle), not worrying about your groceries. Secure your child and bag in your car. Last thing you get is your groceries.”

Chief Napolitano’s Top 4 Safety Tips for Parking Lot Safety:

  1. Check your surroundings.
  2. Keep a safe distance between you and strangers.
  3. Create a path for movement.
  4. If it doesn’t feel safe, go back inside. Don’t go to your car.

Victims of Parking Facility Violence: Know Your Rights

Parking lot and parking garage patrons have a right to feel safe and secure while on the premises of the establishment they are visiting. By law, property owners are required to protect all patrons legally on the premises from any foreseeable harm. For example, should a parking facility owner have knowledge of prior violence on or near property, they have a responsibility to implement additional security precautions to protect patrons and deter such crime. Should a parking facility owner fail in this critical responsibility, they may be held civilly liable for any injuries or wrongful deaths which occur as a consequence.

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Our Clients frequently come in concerned that they won’t be able to afford legal help. We believe everyone has a right to exceptional legal service. We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover. This means our interests are always tied to that of our Clients. Be sure to ask any potential personal injury attorney about their fee schedule and whether they represent Clientele on a contingency basis before signing a contract.

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Screen Shot 2015-08-21 at 2.41.11 PMViolent crimes often occur in parking lots, hotels, nightclubs, and apartment complexes. While property owners have a legal duty to protect patrons legally on their premises from any foreseeable harm, many fail to provide adequate security and safety measures.

The National Crime Prevention Council offers tips to protect patrons from violent crime:

  • Don’t walk or jog early in the morning or late at night when the streets are deserted. 
  • When out at night, try to have a friend walk with you. 
  • Carry only the money you’ll need on a particular day. 
  • Don’t display your cash or any other inviting targets such as pagers, cell phones, hand-held electronic games, or expensive jewelry and clothing. 
  • If you think someone is following you, switch directions or cross the street. If the person continues to follow you, move quickly toward an open store or restaurant or a lighted house. Don’t be afraid to yell for help. 
  • Try to park in well-lighted areas with good visibility and close to walkways, stores, and people. 
  • Make sure you have your key out as you approach your door. 
  • Always lock your car, even if it’s in your own driveway; never leave your motor running. 
  • Do everything you can to keep a stranger from getting into your car or to keep a stranger from forcing you into his or her car. 
  • If a dating partner has abused you, do not meet him or her alone. Do not let him or her in your home or car when you are alone. 
  • If you are a battered spouse, call the police or sheriff immediately. Assault is a crime, whether committed by a stranger or your spouse or any other family member. If you believe that you and your children are in danger, call a crisis hotline or a health center (the police can also make a referral) and leave immediately. 
  • If someone tries to rob you, give up your property—don’t give up your life. 
  • If you are robbed or assaulted, report the crime to the police. Try to describe the attacker accurately. Your actions can help prevent someone else from becoming a victim.

We Fight for Victims of Property Violence and Security Negligence…Contact us Now for a Free Consultation.

Property owners and managers are required by law to provide a safe premises for all guests legally on their property and to prevent foreseeable third-party criminal attacks, such as rapes, shootings, assaults, or robberies. For example, should a hotel, parking lot, nightclub, or apartment complex proprietor have reason to anticipate a criminal act based on knowledge of a security lapse or a previous crime on or near property, he or she then has a duty to exercise ordinary care to deter such crime and protect those legally on their premises from harm.

The Murray Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for victims of property violence and security negligence, and we offer our legal assistance if desired.  We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover. Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us via e-mail (click here) or by telephone at 888.842.1616. Consultations are free and confidential.

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