Parking Lot Accident Lawyer

Parking lots are often hectic with people, pedestrians, and shopping carts moving in every direction. Drivers may be distracted, thinking about the errands they have to run, talking to their children in the back seat, or looking at their phones. 

Many people falsely believe that parking lot accidents do not cause serious injuries since vehicles will be traveling at lower speeds. However, parking lots are more dangerous than people think. Sadly, thousands of people are injured in parking lot accidents every year and hundreds are killed. 

If you or someone you loved was injured or killed in a parking lot accident, then Fielding Law wants to help. The personal injury lawyers at our law firm can offer support and legal advice in the stressful days and weeks following the accident. Call us 24/7 at (877) 880-4090 or complete the online form to book your free consultation with a member of our legal team today. 

Why Are Parking Lot Accidents So Common?

While on the highway, drivers are usually on high alert. They are aware that driving at high speeds is dangerous and an accident could result in serious injuries. When exiting the roadway and entering a parking lot, motorists may feel they have left the dangers of their commute behind.

It is a common misconception that parking lots are unlikely places for serious car accidents to occur. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), 1 in 5 car accidents occur in a parking lot. 

Parking lot accidents happen for numerous reasons, including:

• Drivers backing into each other: Drivers who fail to check their mirrors or look behind them may back into a passing vehicle or a car reversing in the parking spot behind. 
• Crowded parking lots: In some locations, especially on weekends and holidays, there can be more cars in parking lots per square foot than there are on roads. This means many vehicles and pedestrians are crammed into a small space, increasing the risk of an accident occurring. 
• Distracted driving: Some people use their time in parking lots to look at their phones, check their appearance in the mirror, or engage in other non-driving activities.
• Drivers going the wrong way: In an effort to maintain order, business owners will often have signs directing the flow of traffic in the parking lot. Parking spaces slanted in a certain direction also indicate which way traffic should be moving. Unfortunately, these signs are often ignored, with drivers choosing their own path.
• Aggressive driving: Traffic laws do not apply in parking lots, and this often leads to people driving more recklessly in them. Drivers may speed, do “donuts,” race, or aggressively vie for parking spots. 

Contacting the Police After a Parking Lot Accident

Since traffic laws are not typically enforceable in parking lots, you may be wondering whether you need to contact the police after being involved in a parking lot accident. You should always contact the authorities after a car accident if there were injuries or property damage. 

A police officer will fill out a police accident report at the scene. This creates a formal record that may be used as evidence later when filing a claim for compensation. If the police are unable to dispatch an officer to the scene of the accident, then you may want to gather your own evidence to present when negotiating with the insurance company. 

Take care to:

• Obtaining contact information, vehicle registration details, and driver’s license information from all parties involved
• Speaking to parking lot attendants or any other eyewitnesses of the incident
• Photographing the scene of the accident, including vehicle damage, the area around the accident, and any injuries you sustained

If you hit an unoccupied vehicle and are unable to contact the owner, you should leave your contact and insurance information on the vehicle. Failure to do so could result in later being charged with a count of hit-and-run. 

Parking Lot Accidents Can Cause Severe Injuries

Drivers, passengers, and pedestrians can all suffer a range of injuries in parking lot accidents. Even a collision that occurred at a low speed can result in life-altering injuries and disabilities. 

Fielding Law handles parking lot accident cases involving:

• Broken bones
• Cuts and bruises
• Soft tissue damage
• Head and neck injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Nerve damage
• Internal organ damage
• Burns 
• Loss of limbs
• Paralysis
• Wrongful death

It is important to obtain medical treatment immediately following a parking lot car accident. Some injuries, such as a concussion or internal bleeding, may not be immediately apparent right after the incident occurred. A visit to the doctor or hospital also provides proof that your injuries were a direct result of the parking lot accident. 

Determining Liability After a Parking Lot Accident

One or more parties may be at fault in a parking lot accident. Liable parties may include:

• Drivers: All motorists have a duty of care to drive safely, be alert to their surroundings, and keep from causing harm to those around them. 
• Passengers: If a passenger intentionally distracted the driver and a parking lot accident occurred, the passenger could be found negligent.
• Pedestrians: A distracted pedestrian who is not paying attention to his or her surroundings may unintentionally step directly into the path of a motor vehicle. Negligent pedestrians can be held responsible for the accidents they cause. 
• Parking lot owners: Under premises liability laws in most states, it is the responsibility of the property owner to ensure that the parking structure or lot is well maintained and has clearly marked lanes. 
• Maintenance company: Some owners hire out the maintenance of their parking lots to third-party companies. If poor parking lot maintenance was the cause of the accident, then the maintenance company could be held liable. 

In the case of most parking lot accidents, liability comes down to which driver was careless or negligent. Consider the following two factors.

1. Which vehicle was moving?

If only one vehicle was in motion at the time of the parking lot accident, then the driver of the moving car is almost always found to be at fault. There are some exceptions, such as if the stationary vehicle was parked illegally. However, in most situations, the driver of the moving car will be held liable for the incident. 

2. Which driver had the right of way?

In situations where both vehicles were moving, one driver will typically have the right of way based on the flow of traffic. The driver who didn’t have the right of way would likely be held liable for the parking lot accident. 

Pedestrian Parking Lot Accidents

Pedestrian parking lot crashes can happen for many different reasons. Many collisions occur while vehicles are exiting onto the roadway from large shopping centers where traffic is continuously flowing in and out. Distracted driving, drivers’ failure to look before backing out, and drivers focused on looking for a parking space are common causes of pedestrian parking lot accidents. 

You would think that the driver would automatically be held liable when a pedestrian is hurt by a moving vehicle. However, this is not always the case. The driver and his or her insurer may try to place at least partial blame on someone else – even the victim. 

If you have been injured in a pedestrian parking lot accident, you need an attorney on your side advocating for your best interests. The personal injury lawyers of Fielding Law have successfully represented many pedestrian accident victims. Contact us today to learn about your legal rights and options. 

Why Hire a Parking Lot Accident Lawyer?

If you or a loved one has been injured in a parking lot accident, you may be debating whether to hire a lawyer or file a claim with the insurance company on your own. There are many benefits to having a trusted parking lot accident attorney representing you. During your free consultation with a member of our legal team, we can review your case and determine whether you need a lawyer working for you.

One factor to consider is the extent of your injuries. For some, a parking lot accident only involves a bumper scratch, while people are left with life-changing injuries. 

As your lawyers, Fielding Law will work with doctors and other medical experts so we can understand the total effect of your injuries on your life and the medical care that you will need in the months and years going forward. We will then use this information to calculate your medical expenses and lost wages and negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company. 

Many insurance companies delay or deny claims without even investigating the accident or verifying the extent of a victim’s injuries. But, as experienced car accident lawyers, we are familiar with the tactics insurance companies use. We know how to protect your rights and make a strong claim to get you compensation. 

Contact a Parking Lot Accident Attorney Today

If you have been involved in a parking lot accident and are considering filing a claim, contact Fielding Law to see how a personal injury lawyer can help you. The experienced lawyers at our law firm will help you develop a strategy for a successful claim. 

Parking lot car accidents can cause extensive injuries and property damage. You may have the right to hold the negligent party liable for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Our legal team can fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

Contact a personal injury lawyer with Fielding Law by calling(877) 880-4090. Our representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to speak with you.