Whether you’re a renter or own the land your business is on, you should know about premises liability and how it affects you. This area of personal injury law has the potential to apply whenever anyone uses your driveway or parking lot. The following guide will help you be proactive about protecting your business from a potential lawsuit.  

Basic Guide to Premises Liability

What It Is

Premises liability is a term used to describe your responsibility to maintain a reasonably safe environment on your property so that people will not get injured. If a customer or employee gets hurt and it’s determined that it could have been avoided with better care on your part, you will be held liable. The person can file a personal injury claim against you. Common cases include slips and falls on asphalt driveways, inadequate parking lot maintenance, and defective conditions. If there’s a danger that could cause a foreseeable accident or injury and could be prevented with repair, those repairs should be handled.

How to Avoid Driveway & Parking Lot Liability

A preventable accident could occur if someone slips on an oil slick on the asphalt, for example, or trips on an unrepaired pothole. If someone is struck by a car, the property owner could be liable if they were negligent in maintaining the asphalt or did not establish a clear line of sight for the driver. People could also potentially blame you if they’re injured or get in a collision due to faded parking lot lines. 

The best way to protect yourself is being able to show that you do your due diligence in maintaining your property. Have cracks repaired and potholes fixed with an asphalt patch as soon as they appear. Trim back things such as shrubbery that could block the line of sight for drivers or pedestrians. Have your parking lot restriped every 12 to 18 months with new parking lines, directional arrows, and handicap spot markers. 

The paving contractors at AAA Paving Company provide a full range of services to keep your driveway in top condition over the years. Since opening in 1989, they’ve been serving industrial, residential, commercial, and public clients across Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and High Point, NC. They’re known for their high level of customer service, affordable prices, and reliability for staying on schedule. Contact them online or at (336) 723-1418 to request a free estimate.