What a frustrating experience to discover damage to your parked car and realize there is no one around to accept responsibility!
Parking lots are a breeding ground for car accidents because of tighter spaces, low lighting conditions, and a large number of vehicles moving in and out at any given time. Many of us have experienced coming back to our vehicle in a parking lot to find a ding, dent, or something even worse on our vehicle, and realize that there is no one that you can blame for the damage. Even if there has been a side sweep accident or a backover accident in a parking lot, the police may not respond if there are no injuries, as many parking lots are privately owned.
How to Handel a Parking Lot Car Accident
If you have been involved in a parking lot car accident, it should be handled like any other car accident that may have happened on a roadway or highway. You should get the contact information from the other person, along with other relevant information such as driver’s license and insurance information.
Include information about the vehicle including the model, license plate, color, and anything else that may be important for the car accident claim. Call the police and report the accident. If you have suffered any injuries in the accident, seek immediate medical attention even if the injuries are seemingly minor. In case of a hit and run accident, look for eye witnesses. If anyone has witnessed the accident, get their contact information. Call the police to file an accident report. This may be helpful in helping you recover any damages.
Parking Lot Car Accidents Involving Pedestrians
Most parking lot accidents that are reported are for property damage claims; however, there are others that involve injuries to pedestrians as well. Research shows that as many as 19 percent of fatal car accidents take place in commercial parking lots. In addition, 52 percent of back over accidents involving injuries occur in parking lots. If a driver fails to look before backing out or darts into a parking lot carelessly, the driver may hit someone who is leaving the parking lot after parking his or her vehicle. Even if an accident occurs at a low speed, a person can sustain serious injuries.
Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been involved in a parking lot car accident, the first and most important step is to seek immediate medical attention and to report the matter to the police. Then, contact a Chicago car accident attorney to help you file for damages from the party at-fault. Call Willens Law Offices at (312) 957-4166 for a free consultation.
