When you arrive in a parking lot, the common assumption is that the risky part of driving is over. After all, it is rare for drivers to break 10 miles per hour in a parking lot, and speed is an important factor in car accidents. In addition, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that higher crash speeds typically result in worse injuries.
However, parking lots have their risks. They can become busy with pedestrians, particularly during the holidays. If a driver gets distracted, like if they are looking at their phones, they can make costly mistakes. Victims of parking lot accidents have the right to pursue compensation. An Alexandria, VA car accident lawyer from the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, can evaluate your case and defend your rights.
How a Lawyer Can Help Your Parking Lot Accident Case
Accident injuries are traumatic no matter where they took place. Jim Parrish, our lead attorney, can help you take the first important steps in finding out who is at fault and building your claim. With our help, you can take a back seat during the claims process and focus on what matters, like your health and safety. Here is how a parking lot accident attorney can support you.
Keeping Things Simple
Parking lot accident cases can be complicated, involving issues determining fault and finicky insurers. Here is how we can keep things simple:
- Take over talking with insurance adjusters so you don’t have to worry about negotiations while you recover
- Provide you with consistent updates about your case and give you an outlook of what to expect
- Provide you with educational materials so that you understand the specifics of your case
- Answer your legal questions as they come up
- Keep you posted on relevant deadlines so you will never be caught off-guard
Building Your Case
Parking lot accidents are a subsection of personal injury law, meaning it is essential that you can show that another party caused your injuries. If you cannot, it may not be easy to receive compensation. Our team can gather evidence to assist you with this part of the process, which can include the following:
- Traffic camera footage
- Security camera footage
- Images of the crash scene
- Eyewitness interviews
- Input from crash reconstruction specialists
- Your medical records
Assigning Fault
After gathering evidence, we can work towards assigning fault. For this step, imagine you were walking across a parking lot after going grocery shopping. Then, a car drove up in your blind spot, crashing into and injuring you.
To prove fault in this case, you would need to show that the following is true:
- The at-fault party owed you a duty of care: All drivers are responsible for keeping others from harm. Therefore, the driver that injured you owed you a duty of care.
- The at-fault party did not uphold this duty: The driver that struck you was texting before causing your accident. Texting and driving is a form of negligent behavior, meaning they were not upholding their duty of care.
- The at-fault party’s negligence caused your accident: You or your lawyer can use relevant evidence to show that another party’s negligence caused your accident. In this case, showing that the at-fault party was texting would suffice.
- You suffered damages: Finally, you must show that you suffered damages. Medical records are particularly useful for proving this element of fault.
Dealing With Insurers
In Virginia, all drivers are required to carry liability insurance with the following limits:
- $30,000 for individual injuries
- $60,000 for accidents involving multiple victims
- $20,000 in property damages
This type of insurance is designed to reduce the frequency of lawsuits. Therefore, to secure a settlement, it is likely that you will need to deal with insurers. However, insurers do not always cooperate after parking lot accidents. They may lowball your settlement offer or outright dispute your claim.
Jim Parrish, our lead attorney, used to work as a legal representative for insurance companies. He is familiar with the techniques insurers use during car accident cases. He can put this knowledge from inside the insurance industry to work for you by:
- Negotiating for a fair settlement offer
- Disputing unfair settlement offers
- Managing all communications with insurers
- Advising you on what you should or should not say to insurers
- Ensuring that you understand the limits of relevant insurance policies
Determining the Value of Your Parking Lot Accident Claim
Damages are key to parking lot accident cases. They can support victims as they pay for medical treatment and reimburse them for the emotional toll of their accidents. These are the types of compensation a lawyer can pursue on your behalf:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- “Pain and suffering” and inconveniences
- Wrongful death damages
What If I Lost a Loved One in a Parking Lot Accident?
Parking lot accidents, while usually less severe than other car accidents, can still be fatal. As your legal team, we cannot bring your loved one back. However, we can pursue damages that could help you and your family recover, including:
- Funeral expenses
- Burial expenses
- Lowered familial earning capacity
Alexandria Parking Lot Accident Lawyer Near Me 571-229-1800
Your Time to File a Parking Lot Car Accident Lawsuit Is Limited in Virginia
It depends. If you are pursuing an insurance claim, it will likely depend on the deadlines your insurers impose. However, if your case necessitates a lawsuit, you must pay attention to the Virginia statute of limitations. This law controls how long you have to file a lawsuit after an accident. Typically, you have two years to do so, per Va. Code § 8.01-243.
For this reason, we suggest you get started on your case as soon as possible. Then, we can work with you to ensure that you meet relevant case deadlines.
Common Causes of Accidents in Parking Lots
Parking lot accidents have several causes, including:
- Distracted driving
- Drivers not checking their blind spots
- Pedestrians not paying attention to the flow of traffic
- Speeding
- Drivers ignoring stop signs
Of these factors, the National Safety Council reports that distracted driving presents a considerable risk. Often, drivers let their guard down once they enter a parking lot. Maybe they take their hands off the wheel to send a text or check their makeup in the mirror. Distracted driving is dangerous and may have contributed to your accident. Our team will investigate your case to determine the cause of your accident.
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Contact an Alexandria Parking Lot Accident Attorney for Help Today
An Alexandria, VA parking lot accident lawyer from the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, can act as your legal representative. You do not need to face insurers or a lawsuit alone. We are here to defend the rights of those in need. Contact us for a FREE claim review!
Call or Text 571-229-1800 or Complete a Free Case Evaluation form