Collisions At Orlando Service Stations
Service stations, or gas stations, are common throughout the state and provide essential services to drivers. Yet with so many vehicles coming in and out at all hours of the day, these locations also present significant collision risks.
The combination of high traffic volumes, moving vehicles, pedestrians, and tight spaces increases the likelihood of accidents, sometimes even more so than on the open road. If you’ve been injured in a collision at a Florida service station, talk to an Orlando personal injury attorney about pursuing compensation.
Why Gas Stations Are Prone to Accidents
In Orlando, where tourism and local traffic keep gas stations bustling, service stations are often busy with both vehicles and pedestrians moving between the pumps, the store, and their parked cars. The high volume of vehicles and pedestrians at gas station locations increases the chances of accidents. Below are several common scenarios where collisions or injuries can occur.
- Reckless driving around pumps. In a rush to get fuel, drivers may speed around gas pumps or make sharp turns. Tight spaces between pumps and parking areas can make it difficult for drivers to maneuver safely.
- Pedestrian accidents. With drivers coming and going, pedestrians walking between their cars and the convenience store are at risk of being hit. While service stations are designed for vehicles, many customers walk to and from the store without realizing how dangerous this can be. Pedestrians could be injured if a driver backs out of a space without looking or fails to yield.
- Fueling mishaps. While less common, accidents can happen when drivers don’t properly secure the fuel nozzle or when the nozzle is dropped. A spilled fuel can create a fire hazard, or a distracted driver might be looking at a dangling hose and accidentally hit a parked car or pedestrian while pulling away from the pump.
- Visibility issues. Service stations are often located on busy streets with heavy traffic. Poor lighting or unclear signage can make it difficult for drivers to see, especially at night or in inclement weather.
To successfully pursue a claim, you need to establish that the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence. Liability can fall on several parties, including the driver who caused the collision, the gas station owner, or even a third party.
Supporting a Claim with Witnesses and Business Footage
If you’re involved in an accident at a gas station, it’s important to gather the contact information of anyone who saw the incident happen. This can include other customers at the station, nearby drivers, or employees.
Additionally, many service stations have surveillance cameras, which can provide valuable video evidence of the accident. An Orlando personal injury attorney can subpoena the footage, which could show the sequence of events leading up to the collision, the actions of the responsible party, and even help identify unsafe conditions.
Is poor management and the heavy traffic of a gas station the cause of the harm you sustained? After being injured, talk to the attorneys at Israoui Law about settlement options. Call 407-381-4529 for the personal attention you deserve. Always speak to an experience accident attorney before speaking to any insurance company.
