What Happens if I’m in a Parking Lot Accident? – Guest Post

Accidents can happen to anyone at any time. Typically, you think of car accidents as occurring on the road. In reality, mishaps like this can range from high-speed highway incidents to parking lot fender benders. Regardless of location and speed, they can still lead to serious consequences for your vehicle and well-being. The legal implications may also differ depending on your situation. Find out what to do if you’re in a parking lot incident with the following insights.

How Parking Lot Accidents Differ From Road Incidents

To navigate the aftermath of a parking lot incident with confidence, it’s important to understand the differences from regular road accidents. Parking lot car accidents typically occur with:

• Lower speeds;
• More confined, smaller locations;
• Less propensity for severe injury;
• Greater chance of surveillance footage and witnesses for use in court;
• Less rigid traffic rules that pertain to different driving aspects, such as right-of-way, adherence to parking spaces, turn signals, and low speed limits;
• Complicated liability determination due to issues like improper parking, unclear signage, or distractions;
• Easier insurance and legal proceedings due to lower damages involved.

While all of the above are typical of parking lot incidents, there are always outliers. For example, the new use of semi-autonomous vehicles causes some debate around liability. If a vehicle isn’t driven manually, it’s difficult to determine who is at fault for an accident in a parking lot. Your parking lot incident will most likely have the aforementioned features, so preparing ahead of time to deal with them is key.

Steps To Take Immediately After the Accident

There are certain actions to take after every car accident, regardless of time and place. Although a parking lot incident may seem like small potatoes compared to more severe accidents, it’s still important to follow proper procedures.

Document the Incident

Documenting a parking lot accident immediately after it occurs is essential to ensure correct handling of the case later down the line, if necessary. If you are uninjured and able, take clear photographs of the accident scene, including the positions of the vehicles, any damage, and the surroundings. You can use your mobile device to do so, and make sure to keep a backup of the photos.

Additionally, make a written record of what happened, including the time, date, weather conditions, and any relevant details about the incident. As mentioned above, most parking lots also have security cameras. If evidence is needed as the case proceeds, attempt to gain access and refer to this footage.

Exchange Information

Exchanging information with people involved in a parking lot car accident is a critical step in handling the situation. It’s essential to remain calm and cooperative. Start by exchanging names, contact information, and insurance details with the other party. Be sure to record their license plate number and vehicle make and model. Additionally, if there are any witnesses to the accident, ask for their contact information. This exchange of information is crucial for reporting the accident to insurance companies and law enforcement, if necessary, and will help ensure a smoother claims process and resolution of the incident.

Involve Law Enforcement if Necessary

For small bumps and simple interactions, it’s not necessarily advantageous to involve law enforcement. However, there are instances in which it can be helpful and lawful to do so. For instance, you should contact the police if there are disputes about fault or if the accident involves injuries or significant property damage. This allows for an official accident report to be filed, which can be crucial for insurance claims and legal purposes.

When law enforcement arrives, provide them with accurate information about the incident and follow their instructions. Their presence can help in determining liability and ensuring that the situation is properly documented and resolved in accordance with the law.

Possible After-Effects of a Parking Lot Accident

Again, parking lot accidents are less likely to cause serious injury — but this doesn’t mean they leave no damage behind. Take proper precautions even if you don’t immediately notice any signs of injury.

Seek Healthcare if You Suspect Injury

Parking lot car accidents, although typically low-speed, can still result in various types of injuries. If you or your passengers are in the vehicle at the time of the crash, these injuries may include minor bruises, whiplash, sprains, and fractures due to sudden impacts.

If you suspect any injury, however minor, it’s important to seek and accept healthcare. This can be in the form of an ambulance on the scene or in a follow-up appointment with your primary care physician. It’s better safe than sorry, and some smaller injuries can be exacerbated over time if not taken care of immediately.

While serious physical injuries are less common in parking lots, psychological effects such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress, or even a fear of driving can also develop, particularly if the whole ordeal was distressing.

It’s essential to seek medical attention not only for visible injuries but also to address any emotional and psychological trauma that may arise from such incidents. Look for signs that therapy may help, such as nightmares about the incident or heightened anxiety when driving. Again, it’s better to face these issues head-on than to let them fester and become worse down the line.

Be Aware of Potential Legal Claims

Depending on how severe the damage is, you need to be aware that legal claims may be involved. Whether you are at fault for the accident or the other party is at fault, it’s important to understand the legal ramifications that may occur. Some of the most common legal claims for parking lot accidents include claims of personal injury, property damage, or disputes over liability.

Understanding your rights and responsibilities, gathering evidence, and documenting the accident are all ways to protect yourself. Consult professionals after your car accident to further ensure you are taking all of the appropriate actions. Remember that parking lot incidents are common, and you can avoid a large hassle by preparing properly.