Gas Station Accidents
The average person probably visits a gas station at least two or three times a month. Unfortunately, some people end up picking up an injury along the way. Gas stations are often hectic, chaotic environments with dozens of vehicles pulling in and out and people racing inside to pay for gas or to purchase a coffee. It is amazingly easy to get hurt when all you wanted to do was fill up your tank and go on your way. Call Larson & Gallivan Law if you were injured at a gas station. A New York personal injury attorney will get in touch to discuss your legal rights. Below, we highlight some of the most common accidents at gas stations.
Slip and Falls
Slip and falls are common at gas stations. You can easily slip on:
- Spilled oil
- Gas spills
- Trash
- Snow
- Ice
Slips are also common inside the station, where customers confront soap and water on the bathroom floor, food in the aisle, and melting ice cubes around an ice dispenser. Other trip hazards include boxes in the way, along with uneven carpets.
Falls can result in serious injuries. You might strike your head on the ground or on the gas tank. Many people struggle with concussions, whiplash, nerve damage, sprained backs, and herniated discs after falling to the ground. There is also a risk a car could run you over if the driver isn’t paying attention.
A gas station is not automatically liable for every fall on the premises. If they created the hazard, or if they failed to fix a hazard they knew about, then you might have a strong claim for compensation. The best bet is to take a picture of any hazard that caused you to fall, if you can, using your cell phone.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Fender benders are a familiar sight due to the number of cars in such a tight space. Anyone could get clipped by a motorist pulling in or out of the gas station or someone backing up to a pump. Although these collisions happen at low speeds, injuries are often serious. A person only needs to experience a slight collision to jar their body and suffer:
- Pinched nerves
- Neck sprain
- Fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Chest injuries
Needless to say, a pedestrian can suffer more serious injuries than someone struck while sitting in their vehicle.
Explosions
Helpfully, explosions and fires are rare at gas stations, but these are the type of mass injury accidents which will make the evening news. A person could easily suffer serious burn injuries.
Food Poisoning
Many gas stations serve on-the-go items, which might be improperly prepared and/or refrigerated. You could pick up a food borne illness from these items. Somefood poisoning causes only temporary sickness, but it’s possible to contract serious germs like E. coli or salmonella.
Assault
Too many people are assaulted at gas stations. You might be mugged or stabbed at the pump or sexually assaulted in a bathroom. Many crimes occur at night, and some stations are open 24/7, so some criminals see people pumping gas as easy victims.
Can You Sue for a Gas Station Injury?
It will depend on the facts. We want to know:
- How were you injured?
- What were you doing in the lead up to the accident?
- How serious are your injuries?
- Do you know who injured you?
For example, if you slipped at the station, we might sue the gas station owner. The same is true if you picked up food poisoning from something prepared by the deli.
Anyone struck by a vehicle could seek compensation from a negligent driver. For example, a motorist might be reading a text message when they race into the gas station, running over someone walking to their vehicle. This is a classic case of a car accident.
An interesting situation arises if you are violently assaulted at the pump. A gas station does not guarantee the physical safety of their customers. However, they still need to act reasonably to provide some security. If an attendant sees a woman dragged crying into the bathroom, the clerk on duty should investigate. Of course, you can also seek compensation from whoever attacked you, although they might not have any ability to pay.
Evidence for Gas Station Accidents
There’s one advantage to being injured at a gas station. Many stations today have surveillance cameras pointing in all directions. They usually employ this technology to catch anyone stealing from them, but the cameras are also useful in personal injury cases.
Video evidence is very helpful. It can show how long a hazard existed on the ground before you slipped or tripped on it. We can also see whether a driver was careful when pulling up to a pump or if they went too fast. If you were hurt in a hit and run, the video might show us the license plate of the vehicle that fled.
Other helpful evidence includes:
- Any leftover food if you were poisoned from an item purchased at the store. Don’t throw it away.
- Witness testimony about what happened. Smaller gas stations might not have security cameras, so witnesses are always beneficial for New York personal injury cases.
- Your memories about the incident. You can share with your attorney what you remember.
- Any physical evidence. If someone slammed into your car, remember not to get it immediately fixed. Your attorney might rely on the car damage when making a case.
Compensation for Your Injuries
At Larson & Gallivan, we seek compensation for our clients in the form of money damages for:
- Property damage
- Medical care
- Lost income
- Future losses, including future medical care or loss of earning capacity
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress
Some accidents cause only minor inconvenience and pain, whereas others might result in catastrophic injuries.
Call a New York Personal Injury Lawyer with Questions
Our firm is available to help anyone injured at the pump. Please contact us today to schedule a free, no-risk consultation with one of our lawyers.
