Parking lots are a common location for auto accidents in Marion County. Often, parking lots do not have defined traffic routes or speed limits. So, drivers often must use their best judgment to get around and avoid hitting other vehicles.
Motorists and pedestrians alike have to be careful in parking lots to avoid getting into an accident. Even the most cautious person may still strike or be struck by another vehicle in a parking lot, often through no fault of their own.
If you were hurt in a parking lot accident, you may have concerns about the legal recourse you can take. Call a Marion County parking lot accident lawyer now to have your questions answered and learn more about seeking compensation for your injuries. Call a compassionate attorney at Sevenish Law Firm to get started on your claim.
Auto Accidents in Parking Lots
Few things are more frustrating for drivers than walking out of a store only to find someone has struck has struck their vehicle while it was parked. Most vehicle-on-vehicle parking lots accidents involve an unoccupied vehicle. Though many of these accidents do not result in physical harm to drivers or passengers, they can result in a great deal of vehicle damage.
Whether a parking lot accident involved an unoccupied car or multiple occupied vehicles, it is still important to establish who was at fault for the crash. If a driver’s negligence caused the collision, an individual may be able to seek compensation for their auto repairs costs and any other damage they sustained.
Pedestrian Parking Lot Accidents
Parking lots can be dangerous for pedestrians, who may not always be visible to drivers until it is too late. Drivers should always take precautions to avoid striking a pedestrian, but unfortunately, some motorists fail to take pedestrian safety into account when driving in parking lots.
Vehicle-on-pedestrian accidents usually result in serious injuries for the pedestrian. When this happens, an experienced Marion County parking lot accident attorney could help the injured person hold the negligent driver responsible for their medical bills.
Determining Fault
When an accident occurs in Marion County, state law requires that each party’s level of negligence be compared to the other in order to determine who was primarily at fault. This process is known as comparative negligence, and it is a very important legal principle in parking lot accident lawsuits.
The injured party must prove that they were less than 51 percent at fault for the accident in order to receive any compensation at all. This means that the individual has to show that the other party’s negligence contributed more to the accident than their own actions did.
For instance, driving while intoxicated is a common form of negligence, since it is a preventable and reckless behavior that could easily cause an accident and subsequent injuries. If an intoxicated driver strikes a car in a parking lot, they have failed to take reasonable action to avoid an accident.
Even if the other driver involved was slightly speeding, the intoxicated driver would likely be considered more negligent, as their behavior likely contributed more to the crash. If the speeding driver can show the intoxicated driver was more than 50 percent responsible for the crash, they could sue for compensation related to their injuries or vehicle damage.
Talk to a Marion County Parking Lot Accident Attorney Today
If someone else is to blame for vehicle damage or injury you recently sustained in a parking lot accident, you could be entitled to financial compensation for your accident-related costs. However, seeking compensation in these cases can be tough, especially because insurance companies may refuse to pay a legitimate claim. Make sure you speak with an attorney before an insurance adjuster because the adjuster will hold your statement against you.
Whether you are ready to file a lawsuit today or just have some questions about your options, a Marion County parking lot accident lawyer at Sevenish Law Firm may be able to help. Call today to set up a consultation.