Is a private property owner responsible for damage caused by traffic calming devices to vehicles?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Is a private property owner responsible for damage caused by traffic calming devices to vehicles?
I hit a speed bump in a private parking lot while going under the speed limit. This action resulted in damage to the suspension in my car. Is the property owner responsible for this damage?
Asked on June 17, 2012 under Accident Law, Minnesota
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
He may be liable, if he (or his employees, contractors, etc.) were negligent in how the bump was designed (e.g. it was too tall) or in how it was labeled (i.e. they should have posted a lower speed for transiting it). However, if the owner, etc. did nothing wrong--the speed bump was appropriately designed and posted--the owner would not be liable. The owner is not your insurer--he is only liable if and to the extent he did something wrong, and not simply because you suffered damage on his property.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.