Hit & run in store lot.
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Hit & run in store lot.
My car was hit in a store parking lot while I was in the store shopping. The driver left the scene but before that they damaged 5 cars in total and stopped at the end of the parking lot to let some people out before driving off. Is the store liable for the damages to my car? Can they be held liable for negligent or inadequate security in the parking lot that should have prevented this incident?
Asked on June 19, 2009 under Accident Law, Illinois
Answers:
B. B., Member, New Jersey Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 15 years ago | Contributor
I doubt that the store is liable for this, unless an incident of this sort isn't unusual and people have complained about it before. Even in cases where people have been physically attacked, courts in many states only hold the property owner liable where previous attacks have made another one foreseeable.
Your state's law may be different; I don't practice in Illinois. Also, I don't have all of the facts of this case. If you want to be sure about this, please talk to an attorney in your area. One place to find a qualified lawyer is our website: http://attorneypages.com
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