The holiday season in Los Angeles brings packed shopping centers, busy restaurants, office parties, and special events all over the city. While most people think about traffic on major streets and freeways, one of the most dangerous places during the holidays often goes overlooked: parking garages.

From malls and hotels to apartment complexes and downtown structures, parking garages see a huge spike in accidents during November and December. These accidents involve drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and even children, and they often result in serious injuries.

Holiday parking garage accidents are different from typical car crashes. They happen in tight spaces, involve limited visibility, and often include confusion about who is responsible. This guide explains why parking garages become more dangerous during the holidays in Los Angeles, what types of accidents happen most often, who may be legally responsible, and what to do if you or a loved one is injured.

Why parking garages are especially dangerous during the holidays

Parking garages are already challenging environments. During the holidays, those risks multiply.

Several factors contribute to the increased danger.

• More drivers than usual are using the same garages
• Drivers unfamiliar with the layout of the structure
• Congested entrances and exits
• Pedestrians carrying bags or distracted by phones
• Poor lighting in older garages
• Tight turns and blind corners
• Drivers rushing to find parking
• Alcohol is involved during evening events

Unlike open parking lots, garages are enclosed, often poorly ventilated, and designed decades ago for smaller vehicles. When holiday crowds fill these spaces, accidents become much more likely.

Increased holiday traffic in Los Angeles parking garages

Los Angeles already struggles with limited parking. During the holidays, the problem becomes worse.

Shopping centers like The Grove, Beverly Center, Westfield Century City, Santa Monica Place, and downtown garages near LA Live or Staples Center see massive increases in vehicle volume.

Common holiday traffic issues include:

• Long lines at garage entrances
• Drivers circling floors repeatedly
• Vehicles stopping suddenly when spots open
• Aggressive driving to secure parking
• Backup at payment kiosks and exits

This congestion leads to frustration, impatience, and risky behavior, which directly increases accident rates.

Common types of parking garage accidents during the holidays

Holiday parking garage accidents take many forms, and not all involve vehicle to vehicle collisions.

Vehicle collisions inside garages

These are some of the most common incidents.

• Cars hitting each other while turning around blind corners
• Drivers backing out without seeing approaching vehicles
• Side swipes due to narrow lanes
• Head-on collisions in one-way ramps used incorrectly

Low speeds do not mean low injury risk. Even minor collisions can cause neck, back, or shoulder injuries.

Pedestrian accidents in parking garages

Pedestrians face serious risk in garages, especially during the holidays.

• Shoppers walking between parked cars
• Families unloading children and gifts
• People distracted by phones or bags
• Limited crosswalk markings
• Drivers focused on finding spots instead of watching for people

Pedestrian injuries in garages often involve broken bones, head injuries, and long term mobility issues.

Slip and fall accidents

Parking garages are also dangerous for slips and falls.

• Oil and fluid spills
• Rainwater tracked in during winter storms
• Uneven pavement or broken concrete
• Poor lighting hides hazards
• Stairs without proper handrails

During holiday rainstorms, these risks increase significantly.

Accidents involving intoxicated drivers

Holiday parties increase the number of drivers who have been drinking.

• Office holiday parties
• Dinner events
• Late-night celebrations

An impaired driver in a tight parking structure poses a serious danger to everyone inside.

Garage exit and entrance accidents

Entrances and exits are major accident zones.

• Sudden stops at payment machines
• Confusion over ticket systems
• Poor visibility when exiting onto busy streets
• Pedestrians crossing in front of exiting vehicles

These accidents often happen right when drivers think they are almost done.

Why parking garage accidents cause serious injuries

Many people assume parking garage accidents are minor because vehicles move slowly. In reality, injuries can be severe.

Common injuries include:

• Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
• Herniated or bulging discs
• Broken wrists, arms, or ankles
• Head injuries from falls
• Knee and hip injuries
• Shoulder injuries from sudden impact
• Emotional trauma and anxiety around driving

For pedestrians, injuries are often worse because there is no protection from impact.

Who may be responsible for a parking garage accident

Determining liability in a parking garage accident can be complicated. Responsibility depends on who caused the accident and whether unsafe conditions played a role.

Negligent drivers

Drivers may be responsible if they were:

• Speeding inside the garage
• Ignoring posted signs
• Driving the wrong way
• Distracted by phones
• Impaired by alcohol or drugs
• Failing to yield to pedestrians

Even at low speeds, negligent driving can lead to liability.

Property owners and garage operators

Property owners and garage management companies have a duty to maintain safe conditions.

They may be responsible for:

• Poor lighting
• Broken ramps or stairs
• Lack of signage
• Faulty gates or payment systems
• Poor traffic flow design
• Failure to clean spills
• Inadequate security

If the accident was caused or worsened by unsafe conditions, the property owner may share liability.

Employers or event hosts

If the garage serves an office building or event space, employers or event organizers may be involved, especially if:

• The event caused overcrowding
• Alcohol was served without safety planning
• Traffic control was inadequate

Multiple parties

Many parking garage accidents involve more than one responsible party. A driver and property owner may both share fault.

California follows comparative negligence rules, which means fault can be divided among multiple parties.

Parking garage accidents involving pedestrians and children

Children are especially vulnerable in parking garages during the holidays.

• Smaller stature makes them harder to see
• They may dart between cars
• Drivers may not expect children in garages

If a child is injured, courts often apply higher safety standards. Property owners and drivers are expected to exercise extra caution.

How holiday weather increases garage accident risks

Los Angeles may not see snow, but winter rain creates serious hazards.

• Slick concrete surfaces
• Reduced visibility
• Oil mixing with rainwater
• Flooding in lower-level garages

Slip and fall accidents rise sharply during rainy holiday weekends.

What to do after a parking garage accident

What you do immediately after an accident can affect your health and your legal rights.

Steps to take include:

• Seek medical attention immediately
• Call the police if there are injuries
• Take photos of the scene, vehicles, and hazards
• Document lighting, signage, and conditions
• Get witness contact information
• Report the incident to garage management
• Avoid admitting fault
• Keep copies of medical records
• Contact a personal injury attorney

Many garages have surveillance cameras. Acting quickly helps preserve that footage.

Why insurance companies often deny garage accident claims

Insurance companies frequently push back on parking garage accident claims.

Common tactics include:

• Claiming low speed means no injury
• Blaming the pedestrian
• Denying property owner responsibility
• Delaying investigations
• Minimizing long-term injuries

Holiday timing also means adjusters may be overloaded or unavailable.

Compensation available after a parking garage accident

If you were injured, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Emergency medical care
• Hospital visits
• Physical therapy
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability

Pedestrian victims often face higher medical costs and longer recovery periods.

How Estrada Law Group helps parking garage accident victims

At Estrada Law Group, we understand the unique challenges of parking garage accidents, especially during the holidays.

Our team helps by:

• Investigating the garage layout and conditions
• Securing surveillance footage
• Identifying all responsible parties
• Handling insurance negotiations
• Working with medical experts
• Pursuing full compensation

We know how to hold both negligent drivers and property owners accountable.

Preventing parking garage accidents during the holidays

While accidents cannot always be prevented, these tips can reduce risk.

• Drive slowly and cautiously
• Follow directional signs
• Watch carefully for pedestrians
• Avoid distractions
• Use headlights in darker garages
• Park near lighting when possible
• Hold children’s hands
• Be extra cautious after events involving alcohol

Conclusion

Parking garages may seem like minor spaces compared to busy roads, but during the holidays in Los Angeles, they become one of the most dangerous places for accidents.

Crowded conditions, distracted drivers, poor lighting, and rushed behavior all contribute to serious injuries. Understanding your rights and knowing who may be responsible is critical if something goes wrong.

If you or a loved one is injured in a parking garage accident during the holiday season, you do not have to navigate the process alone.

Call Esther The Lawyer at 323 609 5000 or email intake@estradalawgroup.com.
We fight for victims. We fight for families. We fight for justice.

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