Automated parking systems (APS) are mechanical systems designed to increase the number of cars that can be parked in a limited area. Automated parking garages are also known by the following terms:
- Automated parking facilities (APF)
- Automated vehicle storage and retrieval system (AVSRS)
- Car parking system
- Mechanical parking
- Robotic parking garage
Automated parking garages are not recent advances in parking technology. The earliest automatic parking systems can be traced to the early 1900’s in Paris, France, for example. Throughout the 20th century, there continued to be many advances in automatic parking garages all over the world. As the population and the number of vehicles in need for parking spots increases, it is no surprise that automated parking facilities continue to be built into the 21st century. For many years, automated parking garages were only found in Asian and European cities; however, the United States of America has quickly seen an increase in automated parking garages. In the U.S., robotic parking garages can be found in Washington, D.C., New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Annapolis, Maryland, and Hoboken, as well as other cities throughout the nation.
Although the concept of automated parking garages is intriguing to all, many people worry about the risks associated with robotic parking garages. Are automated parking facilities safe? Can people be injured by the mechanical parking systems? Is the technology used in automated parking garages fool-proof? Unfortunately, there have been many incidents involving automated parking garages; therefore, many people continue to be skeptical about the safety of these robotic parking garages.
If you were injured in an automatic parking garage, you might have grounds to file a lawsuit and receive compensation. Although automatic parking garages have not resulted in personal injuries so far, the risk exists. If you were injured or a member of your family was killed in an automated parking garage, you must seek legal assistance as soon as possible. Do not hesitate to take legal action just because automated parking garages are recent advancements—you have rights.
The attorneys at Normandie Law Firm are here for you. Our attorneys have handled many personal injury claims in traditional parking lots and garages. Although personal injury claims in automated parking garages are unheard of, our versatile personal injury attorneys are ready to handle whatever claim you bring forward. Do not hesitate to contact our law firm as soon as possible to file your claim and become eligible to receive compensation.
How Do Automated Parking Garages Work?
Although not every vehicle-owner has used an automated parking garage before, learning about how automated parking garages function is simple because of the availability of video and image content on the internet. Some videos show drivers what to expect when using automated parking facilities. These videos often show drivers pulling into an entry point and exiting their vehicles. Drivers and passengers have to walk away from the vehicle and towards the ticket machine. Pressing the park button closes the space, scans the vehicle for any movement to ensure that it is empty, provides the driver with a receipt, and starts the process of moving the vehicle to a parking spot. The automated parking system transports the vehicle to a designated space. When the driver is ready to leave the parking structure, the driver submits payment in the ticket machine, and the vehicle retrieval begins. After the vehicle is retrieved, a panel for an exit point opens and the driver can reach his or her car and drive away. If you would like a visual representation of the aforementioned, you can watch this video.
The Benefits of Automated Parking Garages
One of the most significant benefits of automated parking garages is the use of less space to park more vehicles. In addition, automated parking garages reduce CO2 emissions by eliminating the need for cars to be driven around parking structures searching for available parking spaces. Automated parking systems are also safer for pedestrians since the need for pedestrians to walk to and from their vehicles is eliminated. Vehicles are also less likely to sustain damage since no driving is necessary to park a vehicle.
When compared to open lots and standard parking garages, robotic parking systems are less hazardous. Robotic parking systems are less hazardous than open lots and standard parking garages for the following reasons:
- Better security
- Better technology
- Low crime exposure
- Low traffic exposure
- No outside access for pedestrians, limited access to employees
The main benefit of automated parking garages is the ability to park more vehicles in limited space. Automated parking garages allegedly remove or reduce any risks of personal injury accidents. However, automated parking systems have not reached perfection; there are many problems with automated parking garages.
The Problems with Automated Parking Garages
Over the years, many automated parking systems have been introduced all over the nation. However, many of the automated parking garages have been riddled with problems that have led a few of them to closure and, ultimately, failing to provide an effective parking alternative. Below are some of the problems that have tainted automated parking garages:
- Faulty software—the technology that runs the automated parking garages cannot keep up with the demand to park and retrieve cars.
- System malfunctions—system malfunctions have led to machinery falling multiple stories onto the ground, often smashing cars on the way down.
Problems with the automated parking garage software and machinery, for example, has led to vehicles falling multiple stories and crashing onto the ground. In a parking garage in Maryland, an automated parking garage employee was killed after some machinery fell from the fourth floor and caused the victim’s deadly fall. Although the incidents with the falling vehicles did not result in injuries, the risk is present—innocent pedestrians or unsuspecting employees could be crushed by a falling vehicle. In addition to potential errors in software and hardware causing the hazards, the risk of injury could be emphasized by human error.
Automated parking systems depend on cameras and sensors to ensure that there is no one in the vehicle before the process begins. If the software designed to scan for movement is faulty, it might not detect the presence of anyone still in or near the vehicle before the process begins. If a driver starts the parking process but then quickly returns to the vehicle to attempt to grab a forgotten item, for example, the faulty software would not detect the movement and stop the process—creating a risk of injury.
Could You File a Personal Injury Claim?
If you were injured in an automated parking garage, you have the right to file a personal injury claim. The software and hardware in automated parking systems must be updated and maintained routinely to ensure that it is always up to the highest standard. If you suffered an injury, you might have been the victim of the negligent or reckless actions of automated parking garage employees, management, or designers, for example. If you would like more information about your right to file a claim after suffering an injury in an automated parking garage, you should contact the attorneys at Normandie Law Firm as soon as possible.
Compensation Available for Personal Injury Claims
If you file a personal injury claim, you might be eligible to receive compensation. What type of compensation might you recover if you file a personal injury claim after an injury or death in an automated parking garage? Although all personal injury accidents are different and are eligible to receive different categories of compensation, all claimants should be familiar with the following forms of compensation often available for recovery:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Loss of consortium
- Funeral and burial costs
- Punitive damages
As you can see, there are many categories of compensation available for recovery. Although there are many types of compensation available for claimants, the specific type and amount of compensation that claimants are eligible to receive depends on the details of each claim. When you contact Normandie Law Firm and allow our knowledgeable attorneys to handle your claim, you can be certain that our attorneys will always fight for your right to recover the maximum amount of compensation available for your claim. The attorneys at Normandie Law Firm are invested in the outcome of your claim and will fight until you recover the compensation you deserve.
The Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims
All personal injury claims are subject to a statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is a timeline that establishes the length of time that claimants have to file their lawsuits. If their lawsuits are not filed within the statute of limitations that applies to your claim, victims of personal injury might lose the right to file their lawsuits and recover the compensation to which they are entitled. In general, all personal injury claims—including wrongful death claims—are subject to the same statute of limitations of two years. Therefore, all personal injury claims for accidents that occur in automated parking garages would be subject to a two-year statute of limitations. In addition to the time allowed by the statute of limitations that applies to your claim, some exceptions to the statute of limitations might apply, resulting in an extended time to sue. For information about the statute of limitations and the exceptions that might apply to your claim, you must contact the experienced attorneys at Normandie Law Firm.
Normandie Law Firm
If you were injured or a member of your family was wrongfully killed, you could file a claim and receive compensation. You must contact us as soon as possible and request to speak with our attorneys. Our law firm is based on the idea that all victims of personal injury accidents should have access to legal assistance. Therefore, our law firm offers free consultations and free second opinions to all victims of personal injury accidents. During our free consultations and free second opinions, our attorneys will answer all your questions and address all your concerns to ensure that you have all the information necessary for a successful claim. If you were left with any unanswered questions or doubts by an incompetent attorney, you could trust that our skilled lawyers can get your claim back on the right track.
Our free legal services are available as part of our Zero-Fee guarantee. Our Zero-Fee guarantee ensures that our clients never have to worry about paying any upfront legal fees. Our firm is based on contingency; therefore, our clients will not be required to pay any legal fees until our lawyers win their claims. If you do not win, you will not pay. If you were injured in an automated parking garage, you must contact Normandie Law Firm as soon as possible to file an injury claim.
