Parking lots can be crowded and chaotic, with drivers backing out of spaces that others are vying for, so it is no wonder that accidents are common. While most parking lot accidents happen at low speeds, they can still do considerable damage and cause major injuries.
If you or a family member was harmed in a parking lot accident that was someone else’s fault, a Manassas parking lot accident lawyer at the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC may be able to help you get compensation for your losses. We will negotiate for a favorable settlement with insurance companies, and, if negotiations fail or liability is disputed, our parking lot accident lawyers in Virginia can file a lawsuit against all negligent parties in Virginia civil court. We can take the burden off you by handling all legal hurdles and working to get you the best settlement possible.
We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss the individual aspects of your case and show you how we can help. Call the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC today at (571) 229-1800 for your free case evaluation with our experienced Virginia car accident lawyer.
Why Parking Lot Accidents Are Complicated
In a parking lot accident, cases may be complicated because of the many factors involved in each individual situation. These may include:
- There may be several parties responsible for an accident. Another driver could be at fault, or the owner of or maintenance company for the lot could be held responsible.
- You may have a case for personal injury and/or a case for premise liability and negligent security.
- The parking lot may be privately owned, or it may be public property.
- Your vehicle may have been hit while parked or while you were driving, or you may have been hit while walking to or from your car.
Parking Lot Rules
Generally, anyone driving in a parking lot must follow rules similar to those driving on a road, which can be found on the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles website and in Virginia Code Title 46.2. There may be stop signs, crosswalks, speed bumps, directional arrows, lanes designated for one-way traffic, and regulations specific to the lot.
In general, there are two types of lanes in a parking lot:
- The main thoroughfare lane where you enter and exit from the street
- Feeder lanes, or smaller lanes that lead to the thoroughfares
The driver on the thoroughfare has the right-of-way, so a driver on a feeder lane must stop and yield accordingly. Drivers pulling out of a parking space must yield to anyone driving down a feeder lane.
If a driver does not follow these rules and an accident results, that driver may be found at fault and liable for the resulting damages.
Manassas Parking Lot Accident Lawyer Near Me 571-229-1800
Determining Fault in Parking Lot Accidents
To be entitled to compensation, your Manassas parking lot accident lawyer would have to prove another party was negligent and at fault for the accident. Insurance companies have their own set of rules for determining who is at fault, depending on each situation.
To prove another party at fault, our legal team would have to show:
- Duty of care: another party, called the defendant, owed you a duty of care (to drive safely and not hit your vehicle).
- Breach: the defendant was negligent and breached that duty of care by doing something wrong or neglecting to do something. For example, perhaps another driver did not stop while you were in the main thoroughfare.
- Cause: this breach of duty caused your injuries.
- Damages: you suffered damages as a result, such as bodily injury.
Drivers in parking lots have a duty of care to not drive distracted, to keep a lookout for pedestrians and other vehicles, and to abide by parking lot rules. Proving fault in some situations is easier than others. For example, a common cause of parking lot accidents is when a driver is backing out of a parking space and hits another vehicle—the driver backing up will usually be found at fault.
In some cases, there may be more than one party at fault. For example, in addition to the driver who did not stop, the parking lot owner or maintenance company may not have installed proper signs or proper lighting, or may have left debris in the road. If the accident was caused because of a failure in the vehicle or its parts, the manufacturer may be at fault.
As all these parties may have insurance, we may name everyone responsible as defendants in a lawsuit. Find out how a Manassas parking lot accident attorney may be able to help you by calling (571) 229-1800 today.
Dealing with Insurance
Insurance companies want to pay out as little as possible, and adjusters and defense attorneys will try to prove you contributed to the accident and therefore are not entitled to a settlement. To prove your case, our attorney will thoroughly investigate the accident situation and gather evidence by interviewing witnesses, reviewing police reports, and examining data from parking lot cameras or surveillance videos. If necessary, we may hire experts to reconstruct the accident and assess damages.
We will fight to collect compensation for both:
- Economic damages: your monetary losses such as medical and car repair bills and loss wages, and
- Non-economic damages: for “pain and suffering” and inconvenience type damages that are more difficult to put a price tag on.
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A Manassas Parking Lot Accident Lawyer May Be Able to Help
If you have suffered damages in a parking lot accident, it makes sense to get legal assistance from the start. According to Virginia Code § 8.01-243, Virginia has a statute of limitations, or a deadline for filing a personal injury case, of two years from the date of the accident, and evidence may disappear over time, so moving quickly is important.
At the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, a Manassas parking lot accident lawyer may be able to handle all negotiations with insurance companies and take your case to court if necessary to fight to get the compensation you deserve.
Call us today for your free and confidential consultation at (571) 229-1800 to get started.
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