Just like an accident that occurs on the road, there are several factors that may go into who is considered at-fault when you are involved in an accident in a parking lot. While some drivers find the rules confusing, but just like a main street, a parking lot has right-of-way rules.
If you are involved in a parking lot accident that was not your fault, then you may need to hire an attorney for help. They can review the facts of your case and gather the necessary evidence to help hold the at-fault party liable.
Avoid a Parking Lot Accident by Understanding the Right-of-Way
When you are moving along in a parking lot, you may get confused when it comes to who has the right-of-way. The best way to figure this out is by considering the type of lane that you are in. There are two types of lanes in a parking lot, including:
- The thoroughfare lane: This is a lane that exits onto a street and that is usually wider than others. This is also considered the main artery of any parking lot, regardless of size.
- Feeder lanes: These are the smaller lanes, which begin and also end at the parking lot thoroughfares.
It is important to note, someone driving on the thoroughfare has the right-of-way over someone driving on the feeder lanes. This means if you are on a feeder lane, you have to stop to allow the traffic in the thoroughfare to keep going before you move out of the feeder lane.
Additionally, if you are pulling out of a parking space, you have to yield to anyone who is driving down the lane.
Common Types of Parking Lot Accidents
A common accident that occurs in a parking lot is when a driver is backing out of their parking space and hits another vehicle, that is either parked or moving. In most cases, the driver backing out of the space will be found at fault, but there is one exception – if both vehicles were backing out simultaneously.
Generally speaking, if you hit a vehicle that is legally parked, then you are going to be found at fault. This includes if you back into a car, hit another vehicle with your door, or clip a vehicle in the lot. If you happen to hit a vehicle that is parked and then leave the scene without making an effort to contact the vehicle’s owner, then the case may be considered a hit and run.
Determining Fault in Parking Lot Accidents
Just like if you were involved in a car accident while on the roadway, an insurance company is going to take the statements of everyone involved and consider all of the damage, to each of the vehicles that were affected by the parking lot accident in order to determine who is at fault.
A parking lot accident is accessed by fault determination rules, which are guidelines that adjusters use to determine fault. It is best to provide information and cooperate to determine who is at fault in the situation.
If you believe you are due compensation after being involved in a parking lot accident, it may be a good idea to hire an attorney. They can review the facts of your case and figure out what needs to be done and what evidence is needed to help you recover compensation.
If you have suffered an injury or damages to your property in a parking lot accident, then it is a good idea to contact the attorneys at Hilton and Somer by calling (703) 560-0700.
Additional Reading
Common Myths About Personal Injury Claims
What Evidence is Gathered During the Early Investigation of a Truck Accident
