My Car Accident Occurred In A Parking Lot - What’s The Difference?
You are pulling out of a parking lot space in your car, ready to get home with your groceries, when BAM! You and another car collide. While this might feel like any other car accident, accidents in parking lots are unique in multiple ways.
With about 20% of accidents occurring in parking lots, you should be aware of how they differ from an accident you have on the road.
Parking Lots Are Private Property
Most of the time, parking lots are owned by an adjacent business. This differs from the roads you spend most of your time driving on, which are typically public property.
Police Reports Are Uncommon
This is not to say that you shouldn’t call the police - you absolutely should! However, be aware that most of the time, the police do not come out for these accidents.
At best, you are probably only going to receive an exchange of information sheet. You likely won't get a detailed police report like you would for an accident occurring on a government-owned road.
Gathering Your Own Evidence
Therefore, it is in your best interest to make sure you collect as much evidence yourself as you can:
- Take pictures of the scene before moving any vehicles.
- Collect contact information and insurance details from all involved parties.
- Check with the business the parking lot belongs to for surveillance video that might have captured the accident.
This evidence will help you later if/when questions of liability arise.
Collect as much evidence as you can
Proving Liability Is Complex
As mentioned, there are typically no police reports for parking lot accidents. Therefore, gathering your own evidence is imperative.
While the rules of the road generally apply as they would elsewhere, it is much more common in parking lot accidents for the drivers to share fault.
Shared Fault Reduces Awards
If the drivers share fault, any award you receive for the accident can be reduced by your share of the fault. It is likely in your best interest to confer with an attorney so he or she can work out the question of liability for you.
Contact an automobile accident attorney
