Parking lot collisions happen every day. With limited visibility and space to maneuver, parking lots and garages are common locations for minor to severe car accidents. Despite most of these collisions occurring at low speeds, parking lot crashes carry the risk of serious injuries. If a parking lot or garage accident led to your injuries, a well-practiced auto collision attorney could help you recover monetary damages from the at-fault driver.
Filing a claim for damages can be challenging, especially without the professional help and guidance of an attorney. You must prove that the other driver acted negligently in causing the crash. A Fort Carson parking lot accident lawyer could assist you by investigating your claim, negotiating with insurance providers, and even taking your case to trial if necessary.
Who is responsible for a parking lot accident typically depends on whether one or both cars were in motion and who had the right-of-way. If only the defendant driver was moving at the time of a parking lot accident, a Fort Carson attorney could make a compelling argument that they are at fault for the collision.
In fact, many accidents in parking garages involve collisions with parked vehicles. Drivers who collide with parked cars are often deemed responsible for an injured person’s subsequent damages.
If both vehicles were moving, liability depends on which driver had the right-of-way, which is the right to enter a space before any other vehicles. In other words, all drivers in parking lots should wait for the motorist with the right-of-way to pass before moving.
Most lots and garages include rows of parking spaces and lanes to connect them. Typically, a driver traveling in a lane has the right-of-way compared to motorists attempting to enter or exit from a parking space. In other words, drivers backing out of spaces must defer to cars already in the lane they intend to enter.
The right-of-way may be unclear when both cars are in intersecting lanes. Like with yield signs on a roadway, a driver should allow any cars established in the lane they intend to enter to pass before proceeding.
In many parking lot accidents, multiple parties share responsibility for the resulting damages. Parking lots and garages which lack signs or painted lines to identify lanes could create civil liability for the public or private entities that own them in the event of an accident.
Additionally, having the right-of-way does not absolve a motor vehicle operator of liability. For example, if a driver with the right-of-way is speeding and collides with a motorist who is backing out of a parking space, they may be assigned a percentage of the blame.
It is important to note that state law prevents a plaintiff from recovering compensation if they are 50 percent or more at-fault for their own injuries. If the plaintiff is less than 50 percent responsible, they may still be awarded damages, but their compensation would be reduced in proportion to their assigned percentage of fault. A Fort Carson parking lot accident attorney could help an injured claimant refute allegations of contributory negligence and obtain maximum compensation on their behalf.
When it comes to choosing an attorney after a parking lot crash, experience is important. Parking lot accidents can be challenging to litigate without a thorough understanding of relevant laws. To ensure your rights are protected, call a Fort Carson parking lot accident lawyer from our firm as soon as possible.
I was uneasy about reaching out to a law firm after being in an accident that left me injured and my vehicle totaled. I don’t care for the idea of suing for what was very clearly an accident. However, after learning more about the overall process of working with a professional team to navigate the murky waters of the insurance world, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the experience wasn’t as gross as I’d originally felt about it. Everyone at Springs Law Group is very professional, provides quick responses, communicates with patience and kindness, and remained detail oriented the entire time.
Springs Law Group is an amazing group to work with! I got into a rough accident, and they never ceased to let me know they were there working hard to help me in my hour of need. It was always very easy to reach out to someone if I had any questions, and they were always happy to answer any questions I had.
The entire team at Springs Law group has been nothing but amazing. Jake and the rest of the staff were great to work with and extremely professional. They were very attentive and answered any questions and concerns I had. I was always able to contact them and they were very responsive and communicated with me
Big thanks to Mr. Jake Kimbell and his team for their assistance with my case. He helped me through an incredibly challenging part of my life, and most importantly helped navigate through the convoluted legal channels of my case. I cannot thank him and his team enough for their support.
I never have a problem with getting a response when I need them – which is not the case with most other firms. They really truly care about each client. As a plus, they always have positive attitudes, which matters tremendously when you are in a stressful legal situation.
Springs Law Group is an amazing group to work with! I got into a rough accident, and they never ceased to let me know they were there working hard to help me in my hour of need. It was always very easy to reach out to someone if I had any questions, and they were always happy to answer any questions I had.
Springs Law is very friendly and professional. I always felt that they were on my side and cared about my injury and what I was going through. I highly recommend them.