Accidents in Parking Lots
Considering all the different elements at play in parking lots and parking garages—drivers distracted by either looking for or backing out of a parking spot, pedestrians wandering into traffic in search of their car– it is a wonder that parking lot accidents don’t happen even more often than they do. While collisions in parking lots usually occur at relatively low speeds, these crashes can still cause expensive body damage and even serious harm from whiplash and similar injuries. Read on about what you should know if you’re involved in a parking lot accident in Los Angeles.
As with any accident, you’ll want to document the crash as carefully as possible. Unlike most crashes that occur in the middle of a busy road, however, you may have the ability to take photos of the car in the exact position they were in when the crash occurred, if you’re not blocking the flow of traffic. This will make it even easier to prove to the insurance carrier or court which car was at fault. While you’re taking photos, speak with anyone standing nearby who may have witnessed the accident and could provide an affidavit as to what happened.
Another form of documentation that can support your claim is an incident report. For an accident that occurs in a parking lot on private property, rather than calling the police, you should first seek the help of the private security force on the premises.
Security cameras can also support your claim. Most parking garages and lots are equipped with security cameras that may have captured your accident. If the responsible driver hit your car while you weren’t nearby and left without leaving their identifying information, you may even be able to identify the driver from the footage. Not only is leaving the scene of an accident impolite; it’s a crime in the state of California. Don’t wait to contact the property’s security office, however. Often footage from these cameras is erased on a regular basis.
If you or a loved one has been injured or experienced property damage in a parking lot crash in southern California, contact the knowledgeable and determined Los Angeles personal injury lawyers at Magaña, Cathcart & McCarthy for a free consultation on your case, at 310-553-6630.
