Most supermarket chains are happy to let customers take their loaded shopping carts into the parking lot where there car is parked. It means they can put all their shopping straight into the car without having to struggle with bags from the store to the parking lot.
Unfortunately, there are times when shopping carts left dotted around parking lots can cause damage to parked vehicles. This is not typically the fault of the damaged vehicle’s owner, but could be caused by negligence on the part of Winn-Dixie.
Supermarkets are required to keep their premises safe for customers to use and that includes removing or securing shopping carts so they do not cause accidents. If you or your car has been damaged by a Winn-Dixie shopping cart you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim to cover you for the damage caused by the shopping cart.
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., is one of the top 75 Food Retailers and it knows what it has to do to prevent a shopping cart accident on its premises.
Causes of Shopping Cart Accidents
Damage to parked cars from shopping carts should not be mocked as they can cause serious damage to the vehicle that could cost thousands of dollars to fix. Typically, a shopping cart accident is caused by someone’s negligence. An employee paid to remove shopping carts from a Winn-Dixie parking lot may let one go, allowing it to side swipe someone’s parked vehicle.
Additionally, a shopper may have been loading their car with shopping and then pushed it away without looking to see if it was safe to do so and finally Winn-Dixie may not have sufficient shopping cart staff employed to keep the parking lot safe from accidents to cars.
Types of Damages That Can Happen to You From a Shopping Cart Accident
Unless the parking lot is on a slope and a runaway shopping cart hits your car it is unlikely your car would be totaled. However, you could find that any part of the car is scratched or even badly dented if the shopping cart is moving at a fast rate. The sorts of damages could include any of the following:
- rear bumper damage;
- front bumper damage;
- scratches and dents to doors and side fenders.
You will find that a car repairer is likely to charge a thousand dollars or more to repair scratches and dents so that they are not noticeable. This is when you will be seeking a damages claim from the person responsible for the runaway shopping cart. You will make a claim in much the same way as a personal injury claim but you may need help from a PI attorney to get the right amount.
Why You Need a PI Attorney and What He or She Can Do to Help You
PI attorneys work around the clock helping innocent victims with PI claims including damage to their cars by runaway shopping carts. A PI attorney knows how difficult it is to convince Winn-Dixie’s insurer that their company has been negligent and has caused damage to a car by a shopping cart.
A PI attorney will ensure that the evidence is available like eye witness’s reports and photographic evidence that proves what caused the damage to your car so that you get the settlement you deserve.
Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Winn-Dixie, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
