Getting compensation after a parking lot accident can be more complicated than getting compensation after a traditional car accident. Parking lots are not regulated by the same traffic rules as public roads, so in many parking lot accidents, it may be difficult to determine fault.
However, if you are in a parking lot accident, the right types of evidence can support your claim and allow you to get compensation from an at-fault party. If you are involved in a parking lot collision, the following types of evidence may help your claim.
Police and Incident Reports
You are required to immediately report an accident to the police if someone is injured or killed. However, you are allowed to report a collision even when that isn’t true.
While the police may not respond to a parking lot accident that doesn’t involve any type of injuries, it is still worth reporting because it creates a record.
Additionally, if the parking lot has any type of private security, you should report the accident to it. You can use the information in a police or incident report to support your claim.
Surveillance Video Footage
The best-case scenario for proving fault in any type of accident is video footage. Parking lots often have surveillance cameras to help limit premises liability claims. If one of those cameras caught the accident on video, you are in luck. You should contact the parking lot owner and request a copy of any relevant video footage.
Photographs
Unfortunately, video footage isn’t always available. It could be too dark where the accident occurred, or the parking lot may not have any cameras pointed at the location of the collision.
While they usually aren’t as helpful as video footage, photographs of the accident scene can potentially help investigators reconstruct the events that led to the accident. You should take pictures of all damage to all vehicles and any physical evidence, like skid marks.
Witness Testimony
A parking lot accident can turn into a case of two drivers claiming the other one was responsible for the collision. Without video evidence, insurance companies often have almost no way to determine fault. However, an eyewitness can help resolve the dispute.
Insurance companies typically assume that witnesses who don’t know either party are unbiased. If a stranger witnessed the accident, you should obtain their contact information and share it with your lawyer. Their testimony gives you an advantage when pursuing an insurance claim.
Further, many parking lot accidents don’t involve two moving cars. You may return to your car to find a note on your windshield and new damage on your vehicle. If a witness wrote the note, follow up quickly so you can get their testimony on tape or in writing.
Medical Bills and Records
Were you hurt in the accident? If so, it is critical to get medical attention as quickly as possible. The doctors and EMTs who assess your injuries will create medical records that show you were injured in the accident.
Keep physical and digital copies of your medical bills. They are important for determining how much compensation you should pursue from the insurance company.
Repair Receipts, Bills, and Estimates
The value of your claim depends on the losses and expenses you incurred from the accident. One potentially significant expense is the cost of repairing your vehicle.
You should take your car to a body shop as soon as possible and get an estimate. That estimate becomes the basis of any claim you make for damages to your vehicle.
If you have already paid for the repairs out of pocket, then you will request reimbursement for the actual cost of the repair from the insurance company. Keep copies of those bills and make sure the insurance company gets them as soon as you make your claim.
The Other Driver’s Information
When you are involved in a car accident, you must render aid and share information with the other driver. You must provide your name, address, registration information, driver’s license, and insurance information. That information is important if you want to pursue a claim against the other driver.
FAQ
Are Drivers Required to Follow Traffic Signs in a Parking Lot?
Parking lots are privately owned, which means that the laws of the road don’t apply. If someone disobeys a traffic sign, they typically can’t receive a criminal citation. However, that can be evidence of negligence, which can support your accident claim.
When Should I Contact a Car Accident Attorney After a Parking Lot Accident?
The best time to contact a lawyer is as soon as possible after the accident occurs. Evidence often disappears quickly after a parking lot collision unless somebody investigates immediately and preserves that evidence.
The Parking Lot Owner Wants Me to Sign Something After My Parking Lot Accident. Should I Sign It?
No. Never sign anything until your lawyer has looked at it and approved that decision. If you sign any type of waiver of liability, you might lose your chance to get fair compensation from a liable party.
Contact a Skilled Car Accident Attorney From the Ramsey Law Group Today
While parking lot accidents are usually reasonably minor, they can involve serious injuries or damage to your vehicle. If you are involved in a serious parking lot accident, you should consult with an experienced Texas car accident attorney immediately.
Contact Ramsey Law Group as soon as possible to schedule a free consultation with skilled lawyers who will fight to protect your rights.