Georgia Legal Report
Georgia State University urges students to practice caution while entering and exiting vehicles in parking lots and parking garages. Parking lot patrons are particularly vulnerable while texting or otherwise distracted, while carrying a cumbersome load of books or shopping bags, and while navigating a dark or isolated parking lot alone.
Although property owners are ultimately responsible for providing a safe and secure premises for their patrons, guests can reduce their risk of becoming a victim. All parking lot patrons can benefit from the following GSU student parking lot safety tips:
When Leaving
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Walk with others to your vehicle whenever possible.
- Carry your car keys when approaching your vehicle so you can enter quickly. For added safety, put your car and house keys on separate key chains.
- Always check underneath your car upon approach and in the rear seat for intruders before entering your automobile.
- If something or someone looks suspicious, leave the area immediately. Do not try to go to your vehicle.
- Lock your doors immediately and keep windows rolled up whenever possible.
When Parking
- Park in well-lit areas.
- Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, find another place to park.
- Do not leave valuable items visible in your car. Put them in the trunk or take them with you.
- Carry your registration and insurance card with you. Never leave valuable documents in your car that could help a thief identify who you are or where you live.
- Call ahead when driving to your home or apartment late at night and have someone watch you walk from your car to the residence.
Parking Lot Patron Rights
By law, business and parking lot owners are required to protect all patrons legally on the premises from any foreseeable harm. Should the property owner or management company fail to provide adequate safety and security measures, they may be held civilly liable for any injuries or wrongful deaths which occur as a consequence.
We Fight for Victims of Property Security Negligence in Georgia. Contact us Now for a Free Consultation.
The Murray Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for victims of unsafe properties in Georgia, and recently obtained a $29.25 million dollar verdict for one of our Clients in Fulton County State Court.
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.
Choosing the Right Attorney
Selecting the right attorney for you or your family is highly important. You must feel confident that the attorney you hire has a complete understanding of the law applicable to your particular case, and has successful experience in handling such cases.
Important: Do not hire a lawyer who has violated the Rules of Professional Conduct!!!
You should not hire an attorney who calls you or visits you unsolicited, or anyone that contacts you directly to offer legal services. This activity is strictly prohibited by Rule 7.3 of the American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which states as follows:
A LAWYER “SHALL NOT” CONTACT A PROSPECTIVE CLIENT THROUGH A “LIVE TELEPHONE” OR AN “IN-PERSON” VISIT.
– RULE 7.3, ABA MODEL RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT.
If an attorney, or someone acting on behalf of an attorney, contacts you in this manner, that attorney is in violation of this Rule. This unethical and unprofessional activity on the part of the lawyer is good sign that you should stay away. It is imperative that you are represented by an attorney who is capable of advocating for you within the confines of the law, and an attorney who fails to abide by the Rules of Professional Conduct is probably not the best fit. In fact, any such attorney should be immediately reported to the local State Bar Association. If you have been contacted in such an unsolicited manner, contact us and we’ll assist you in filing a report.
Contingency Fees Disclaimer: “Contingent attorneys’ fees refers only to those fees charged by attorneys for their legal services. Such fees are not permitted in all types of cases. Court costs and other additional expenses of legal action usually must be paid by the client.”