One of the most challenging situations for anyone injured in a car crash is when the collision takes place in a parking lot. How do you establish fault in a parking lot accident?
An experienced Columbus car accident lawyer has all the answers you need, so the first thing to do is seek legal help. Contact our law firm today for a free consultation.
Types of Accidents in Parking Lots
Here, we will present a few considerations related to liability in several situations. First of all, let us discuss the potential types of accidents in parking lots.
1. Two Vehicles, One in Motion
Many parking lot crashes happen when a vehicle in motion hits your parked car. In this situation, as long as your car was legally stopped or parked, your attorney will be able to prove the other driver’s liability with ease.
2. Two Vehicles, Both in Motion
If both cars are in motion when the accident happens, a lawyer will apply the usual principles of analyzing the circumstances of the crash in order to prove liability. Usually, the driver who had the right of way will have the right to claim damages from the other driver.
3. Single-Vehicle Accident
A Columbus car accident attorney may help you obtain compensation from the owner of the parking lot if your accident was caused by an unsafe or hazardous condition on the property, such as:
- Icy or slippery surface
- Poor lighting
- Inadequate signaling
- Pothole
- Debris on the driveway.
How to Prove Negligence in Parking Lot Accidents
For a lawyer, the place where the accident happened does not influence the way personal injury principles work. Your Columbus car accident attorney will have to prove:
- That the other driver owed you a duty of care.
- That they acted with negligence.
- That the driver’s negligent actions caused the accident.
- That the injuries and property damage resulted in injury and economic damages.
In order to prove these elements, the car crash lawyer will need evidence, such as:
- The police report indicating how the accident happened
- Photos and videos taken by you at the accident scene
- Eyewitnesses’ testimonies
- Medical report substantiating the cause and extent of your injuries.
How to Help Your Lawyer Prove Your Claim
Given the explanations above, you should remember to take the same precautions after the parking lot crash, as you would do after any other type of car accident:
- Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver.
- Document the accident scene with photos and videos.
- Obtain eyewitnesses’ contact details and testimonies.
- Seek medical care as soon as possible after the crash.
- Refrain from discussing the accident with an insurance adjuster.
Can a Third Party Be Liable for an Accident in a Parking Lot?
Parking lots usually have an owner – a business or a public authority. As such, the owner or administrator of the parking lot has a duty of care to keep the premises safe for all drivers and pedestrians.
In some cases, your lawyer’s investigation may prove that a hazardous condition on the parking lot – for instance inadequate signaling of the right of way or poor lighting – contributed to the accident. In this situation, you have the right to file a claim against the insurance company of the parking lot owner.
A Columbus Car Accident Lawyer Will Protect Your Legal Rights!
A car accident in a parking lot is no different from any other traffic collision from a legal standpoint. As long as you were less than half at fault for the accident, you have the right to obtain damages from the negligent driver.
In order to get a fair compensatory amount from the other driver’s insurance, you need to talk to an experienced Columbus car accident lawyer at Joe Durham Jr., P.C.
We offer each new client a free case review, so you can present your evidence to a skilled attorney and understand your legal rights. Call us today at 229-210-6226!
