Parking Lot Accident
Additional Information
Injured in a Parking Lot? Call Today
Whether you are out getting groceries, leaving your salon, or just finished a meal at your favorite restaurant, you naturally assume that you’re safe walking through a parking lot. Drivers in the lot should know they could encounter pedestrians or vehicles, which is why they should be moving slowly and carefully.
Unfortunately, all it takes is one glance at a phone for a driver to back out and hit another vehicle or shopper. Even at low speeds, these collisions can seriously injure anyone involved, leading to costly medical bills and even lifelong injuries.
If you or someone you love was injured in a parking lot accident caused by a negligent driver, do not hesitate to contact The Husband & Wife Law Team. Our dedicated and experienced parking lot accident attorneys can investigate your case to determine if you are eligible for compensation. We can go to work collecting evidence of negligence and identifying who was liable, whether it was another driver or the lot’s owner. To schedule a FREE case evaluation, call us.
The Dangers of Parking Lot Collisions
Most people assume that they are safe walking or driving through parking lots. There is less space to maneuver, forcing drivers to travel at low speeds, and most lots have stop signs and crosswalks to control traffic. Drivers also expect to encounter shoppers and should be extra focused when driving around a crowded parking lot.
Sadly, this simply isn’t true. An average of 1,600 individuals are killed in parking lots and other non-traffic accidents every year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 39% of whom are pedestrians and cyclists. In addition, roughly 91,000 individuals are injured in parking lot accidents. The National Safety Council has noted that these incidents spike around Black Friday as shopping malls are packed.
Parking lot accidents can largely be attributed to reckless driving, such as speeding, distracted driving, or drunk driving. As a driver is backing out of a parking spot or driving through a lot, he may:
Adjust the radio
Set up GPS
Chat with passengers
Make calls or send texts
All of these behaviors can distract from what is important: keeping an eye out for other cars and pedestrians. A driver can easily back out from a space and strike another person, including children who may not be visible in a rear-view mirror. In some cases, drivers may speed off without realizing they’ve hurt anyone, leading to a hit-and-run.
There is no excuse for injuring another person in a parking lot accident, and if you were injured by a negligent driver, you should contact a lawyer immediately. While you may be able to file a claim against the driver, it is also possible that the property owner shares some responsibility.
Motorists Injured in Parking Lot Accidents
Backing out of a parking space is a tricky maneuver that requires patience and care. Drivers are often in a hurry to get home and they back out to quickly, without checking for other drivers. Reckless merging, failure to yield, unsafe turns, driving in the wrong direction, and avoiding traffic signs are all types of negligence that can lead to a parking lot crash.
Another problem is when drivers go to fast in a parking lot. Perhaps they just got off of the highway, and they haven’t adjusted to parking lot rules, or maybe the driver is in a hurry to find a good space. The speed limits are much lower in a parking lot for a reason, and when a driver exceeds these rules, people can get hurt.
Who Else Might Be Injured in Parking Lot Accidents?
Many of the most damaging parking lot accidents involve cars that crash into pedestrians, bicycles, and motorcycles. These victims are less visible to drivers, and they are also more vulnerable because they don’t have large vehicles and seatbelts to protect them. Negative outcomes suffered by for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcycle drivers and their passengers in parking lot collisions include:
Bleeding
Can Property Owners Be Liable for Accidents?
Someone owns the parking lot. That person or company is responsible for maintaining the lot and ensuring it is free of hazards. While this typically involves preventing sidewalk accidents like trip-and-falls or hiring security guards to prevent assaults, a property owner may be partially responsible for a vehicle collision if the lot was poorly designed.
Parking lots should have:
Marked crosswalks in front of stores, including labeled, accessible pathways
Speed bumps
Mirrors, yield, and stop signs at blind turns
Smooth surfaces that are free of potholes
In most parking lot accidents, liability is assigned to negligent drivers in a car accident claim, but poor design or unsafe driving conditions can result in a premises liability claim against the property owner. It is important to discuss your case with an experienced team of lawyers who can review every option.
Getting the Compensation You Deserve
Phoenix parking lot accidents often include low-speed fender benders and rear-end collisions, but victims should never dismiss their injuries as minor. Vehicle occupants can develop costly and painful soft-tissue damage that may last for weeks to months, impacting their daily lives. Any collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian can lead to lifelong injuries, ranging from brain damage to paralysis.
At the end of the day, parking lot accidents should be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated. However, the police typically do not prioritize parking lot accidents and may only respond to medical emergencies. You may need to have your case reviewed by an attorney who can look into every aspect of your case, including how road design may have impacted the collision.
If someone else is responsible for your injuries, then you may be able to recover compensation for:
All of your medical bills, including past and future expenses
Lost wages
Lost earning capacity
Property damage
Pain and suffering
Mental anguish
Loss of enjoyment of life
What to Do After a Parking Lot Accident
If anyone is injured, dial 911 right away. It’s essential to contact the police after any type of automobile accident so they can file a report for your insurance company. Share insurance information with all drivers involved in the incident, and get contact information from any witnesses. You can also use your cell phone to take pictures of vehicle damage, which can be very helpful when filing a claim.
You will want to take pictures of any physical injuries suffered by you or your passengers. Keep records of all the medical care you receive, including ambulance transport, doctor visits, surgeries, and rehabilitation. And contact an experienced personal injury attorney before you talk to any insurance agents.
Help Is Just a Phone Call Away
You may not want to make a fuss about the accident, but you should always consider your legal options after a vehicle collision, even if it occurred in a parking lot. At The Husband & Wife Law Team, our car accident lawyers have more than 25 years of experience representing injured drivers and pedestrians throughout the Phoenix area. We can launch an in-depth investigation into your accident and determine who is responsible for your trauma. Then, we can go to work collecting evidence of negligence, reviewing all available insurance policies, including your own, and advocating for full compensation on your behalf.
If you or someone you love was injured in a parking lot accident, do not hesitate to contact The Husband & Wife Law Team. Our lead attorneys have represented multiple clients in parking lot accidents, and we can help you recover the compensation you need to heal from your injuries and get your life back in order. To speak to us today in a FREE consultation, call our office.