Vehicle accidents happen frequently in parking lots. Multiple cars seeking limited spaces, directional markings that are often unclear, and the presence of pedestrians all make parking lots hazardous.
Contact Phillips Law Group when you or a family member is injured in a parking lot accident in Tolleson. Our attorneys can review the circumstances and advise on the best strategy to secure appropriate compensation.
Some parking lot accidents are serious, such as when a vehicle hits a pedestrian or a collision results in significant injury. Arizona Revised Statute §28-666 requires you to call the police to investigate the accident in such cases.
However, many parking lot accidents happen at low speeds, and vehicle damage may look minor. There can be a tendency to respond too casually to these seemingly minor incidents. You can protect yourself and your ability to seek compensation by following some basic rules.
The law requires you to exchange contact and insurance information with the other involved driver. While doing so, you can ask whether everyone in their vehicle is all right and contact emergency services if someone seems to have an injury. However, it is best to refrain from all other conversation.
There is a natural tendency to discuss how the accident happened or who may be at fault, but you should try to resist it. Insurance companies will use anything you say in the immediate aftermath of a crash to limit or deny a claim for compensation.
The law does not require you to report an accident when there are no injuries and the vehicle damage is minor. However, filing an online police report is wise when the police do not attend the scene. Many insurance companies will require a report to process a claim.
Parking lots at malls, medical centers, college campuses, and public arenas often have private security. Filing an incident report with the parking lot security service is always advisable.
The most important step to take after any vehicle accident is to see a medical professional for an evaluation as soon after the incident as possible. Many people skip this step because they do not believe they have a significant injury.
However, many of the common injuries that result from vehicle collisions do not produce symptoms until hours or even days have passed. A medical professional can screen for these injuries and begin treating them even before they produce symptoms. Importantly, the medical record the healthcare provider produces is critical evidence a Tolleson accident attorney will need if you file a compensation claim for a parking lot wreck.
Obtaining reasonable compensation for injuries and property damage after a parking lot accident can be challenging. Determining fault and holding responsible parties accountable can be complicated, especially if the police did not attend the scene.
A Tolleson attorney can investigate the accident to determine who was responsible for a parking lot wreck. Many parking lots have security cameras, and a legal professional could subpoena the footage. A legal professional could also visit the scene to determine whether confusing or absent directional indicators, poor lighting, or other lot maintenance issues may have contributed to the incident.
Under Arizona’s comparative fault rules, any party whose actions contributed to the crash could be liable for an injured person’s losses. Potentially responsible parties include the other involved driver, the owner and operator of the lot, and even a vehicle manufacturer if a mechanical failure may have been a factor in the crash. Bringing multiple parties to the negotiation table can result in a more favorable settlement.
People get severely hurt in parking lot accidents, especially when a vehicle hits a pedestrian. However, even when it seems that an accident is relatively minor, injuries such as whiplash, concussion, and other soft tissue injuries can require medical attention and cause you to miss work.
The attorneys at Phillips Law Group provide aggressive representation to victims of parking lot accidents in Tolleson. We will work to ensure you receive fair compensation for your losses. Schedule a complimentary compensation with one of our team members today.
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