Who is Responsible for a Car Accident in a Parking Lot?
November 23, 2020
Car accidents occur daily and cause significant damage to property and serious injuries to drivers and passengers. It is important to understand the dangers before getting behind the wheel.
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), there were approximately 38,800 people killed in car crashes in 2019. While this sounds like a large number, it actually marks a decline from the previous year, which was 39,404 deaths. Overall, there has been a drop in traffic-related fatalities over the last few years, and yet, the numbers are still very high. Additionally, over four million people annually are involved in accidents that cause injuries that require medical attention. Car crashes can cause injuries ranging from minor to deadly. They also lead to significant property damage.
How is Liability Determined?
Liability refers to a person’s legal responsibility. Liability in a car accident case could involve failure to follow traffic laws, negligent driving, or a driver failing to take safety precautions that would have prevented the accident. Liability does not require that the driver’s actions directly caused the accident, but simply, that their actions or lack of appropriate actions contributed to the event. Fault-based liability means that one party is found to be at fault for the accident.
Car accidents in parking lots are common due to the heavy traffic coming and going daily. The good news is that traffic is typically moving a lot slower than it would on a city street or highway. Damage is likely to be less when vehicles are moving at lower speeds, however, this does not mean that damage does not occur. Common accidents in parking lots include reversing-related collisions and crashes that occur when drivers fail to yield.
How to Prove Fault in a Parking Lot Accident
Proving who is at fault in a parking lot accident can be challenging. On a public roadway, there are specific laws that come into play. Failure to stop at a red light or exceeding the speed limit shows liability. A parking lot, however, is typically private property with less refined rules and guidelines. For example, one driver is backing out of a parking space and another motorist collides with them. In this scenario, determining who is at fault is difficult. Since the rules of parking lot driving tend to be less defined, these situations are assessed on a case-by-case basis. It is important to seek legal guidance from a knowledgeable lawyer after an accident happens in a parking lot. A lawyer will be able to help with a personal injury claim.
Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers at Nerenberg Law Associates, P.C. Help Clients Navigate Liability and Compensation in Parking Lot Accident Cases
Car accidents can happen anywhere, and they commonly occur in parking lots. If you were involved in an accident in a parking lot, one of our Philadelphia car accident lawyers at Nerenberg Law Associates, P.C. can help. For a free consultation, call us at 215-569-9100 or contact us online. Located in Philadelphia, we proudly serve clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.