Collisions in Parking Lots
Parking lots can feel almost as though they’re tailor-made to serve as the site of an accident. Drivers are either distracted from driving by looking for a spot to park, or are pulling out of spots and have a limited ability to see other cars. Even though low speeds help to prevent major injuries, crashes in parking lots can still cause costly body damage to cars and sometimes result in whiplash-like injuries. Learn more below about what to do when you’re involved in a collision in a parking lot or parking garage.
Document the accident and talk to witnesses
Normally after an accident, you’d want to pull off to the side of the road and out of the way of moving traffic, both for your own safety and to avoid impeding the flow of cars. Since traffic is not as fast-moving in a parking lot, and to stave off any doubts as to which driver was at fault in the accident, try to take photos of the cars as they were when the crash occurred. This will provide the most accurate representation of the circumstances surrounding the accident. While you’re stopped to take photos, try to speak with anyone standing nearby who may have witnessed the crash and could describe what happened.
Ensure that a report is created
Assuming the accident occurred on the private property of a shopping center or industrial parking garage, the facility likely has its own security force, and local police will likely leave it to security to create a report of the accident. Contact security after the crash, unless someone is injured or has suffered serious property damage.
Use security camera footage to make your case
If a driver damaged your car and drove off without leaving a note identifying themselves, then that person has not only forced you to go through the hassle of making a claim on your car insurance for an unidentified driver, but they have also committed a violation of the New York vehicle code. Contact security immediately after a hit-and-run in a parking garage or lot to see if there might be security camera footage of the incident that could help you identify the driver responsible.
If you have been injured or experienced property damage in a car or truck accident, make sure you get the full compensation to which you’re entitled by contacting the skilled and knowledgeable lawyers for car accidents at Rusk, Wadlin, Heppner & Martuscello for a consultation on your case, at 845-331-4100 (Kingston), or 845-236-4411 (Marlboro).
