Did you know you can be seriously injured in a parking lot accident?
Two women were recently hospitalized for serious injuries after a parking lot crash in Sarasota County. In November 2017, an 86-year old Sarasota resident was driving in a post office parking lot. She accelerated, hit the curb, and entered another parking lot. She then struck another curb before hitting a vehicle driven by a Missouri woman. Her vehicle overturned, hit a light pole, and hit yet another vehicle. Both women were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. The Sarasota woman was given a traffic citation for reckless driving.
Below, we’re going to described some of the most common types of parking lot accidents as well as what you should do if you are injured.
The Most Common Parking Lot Accidents
Most parking lot crashes fall under one of five categories. The most common accidents in parking lots include:
Rear-end accident at stop sign. Since one car was sitting still and the other car was moving, the driver of the moving car is likely to be at fault, just like this kind of accident out on the road.
Two drivers back into one another. Both drivers are responsible to make sure nothing is obstructing the path before they back up. In this situation, both drivers are likely to be found equally at fault.
One driver backs up and hits a moving car. Depending on the circumstances, both drivers may be at fault. The oncoming car has the right of way, however, so the driver backing up is more likely to be found responsible.
One driver pulls forward and hits a moving car. If a driver moves out of a parking space by driving forward and hits an oncoming driver who has the right of way, the fault will likely lie with the person pulling out of the parking space.
Two drivers hit one another when turning into a space. If two drivers attempt to pull into the same parking space at the same time, they both may bear responsibility for the accident. However, the driver turning left could bear greater responsibility since they would have needed to yield to the oncoming vehicle.
If You Are in A Parking Lot Accident
Here’s a list of what you should do after a parking lot accident.
Take photos
Get your smartphone out and take photos of the damage to the vehicles. Photos may be your only evidence for the insurance companies, so don’t forget to snap several. Even if the other driver admits fault at the scene, they may change their mind later, and photos could be your only backup.
Exchange the right information
It’s up to you to get all the information you need from the other driver. You’ll need their driver’s license and their insurance card. Take down the address because you’ll need it to track down the right person.
Don’t give out too much information
All the other driver needs is your insurance information, address, and phone number. More than that, and you could wind up a victim of identity theft.
Call 911 if you are injured
You’ll need emergency assistance and probably want a police report if there are any significant injuries to you or the other party.
Consult an attorney
If your injuries are severe and the other driver’s negligence caused the accident, you deserve fair and just compensation for what happened to you. For the best chance at getting the compensation you deserve, Florida injury attorney.
About the Author:
Since 1994, seasoned litigation and trial lawyer Anthony B. White has helped thousands of accident victims seek damages due to injuries sustained as a result of another party’s negligence. Included in America’s Registry of Outstanding Professionals and selected to the 2012, 2013, and 2014 editions of Florida Super Lawyers, Mr. White specializes in car accidents, insurance disputes, wrongful death, product liability, and medical malpractice cases. He is a longstanding member of the Florida Justice Association and the American Association for Justice and currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Broward County Justice Association.