Parking lots are the sites of many accidents. When only motor vehicles are involved, the results are often minor fender benders. But the results can be devastating when a 3,000-pound car hits an unprotected pedestrian. Even being hit at a low speed can lead to debilitating injuries and significant medical bills.
Many of these pedestrian accidents in parking lots are caused by negligent drivers. If you were hit and injured by a motorist while walking through a parking lot, you could seek compensation from them through a personal injury lawsuit.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Parking Lots
There are several common ways that pedestrians may be hit by a car in parking lots, including:
- Driving while distracted— Texting, talking on the phone, adjusting the radio, eating and drinking, and daydreaming are all examples of driving distractions. If a motorist is distracted, they may not notice a nearby pedestrian before it is too late.
- Focusing on finding a place to park— Drivers can be so focused on finding a parking spot that they become oblivious to their surroundings — including vulnerable pedestrians.
- Backing out of a parking spot without looking for pedestrians— Pedestrians often pass directly behind parked vehicles when in parking lots. A motorist who backs out without first ensuring there aren’t any pedestrians in their blind spots could cause a collision.
- Pedestrian negligence— Occasionally, pedestrians can be partly responsible for parking lot accidents. For instance, a pedestrian may be distracted by their cell phone or not using walkways when available.
What to Do If You’ve Been Injured in a Parking Lot Pedestrian Accident
Taking as many of these steps as possible can help build your claim for compensation after a parking lot accident:
- Get the driver’s contact details —Don’t speculate about the accident, apologize, or admit fault. You only need to get the driver’s name, phone number, insurance provider and policy number, driver’s license number, and license plate number.
- Gather evidence — Take photos and videos of your injuries, the vehicle that hit you, the accident scene, and other relevant evidence. Visual evidence can significantly strengthen your case against the at-fault driver.
- Get information from eyewitnesses — Talk to any bystanders who witnessed the accident and ask for their contact details. They could provide testimony that supports your case.
- Report the accident to law enforcement —Unless there are significant injuries involved, often law enforcement will not come to the scene of an accident if it occurred in a private parking lot. This makes the information that you gather yourself all the more important. However, it is still always a good idea to report the crash to police officers. They may still prepare a report or at least make a record of where and when an accident occurred, which could help you obtain a settlement from the at-fault motorist’s insurance company.
- See a doctor — Seek medical attention right away, even if you don’t think you were severely injured. Some injuries don’t show symptoms immediately. You should never assume that you don’t need medical care.
- Contact a lawyer — You should speak with a skilled Phoenix pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Injured in a Parking Lot in Arizona? Talk to Our Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys in Phoenix, AZ Today
If you were hit by a car in a parking lot, you have a legal right to pursue compensation from the motorist who hit you. At Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer, our Phoenix pedestrian accident lawyers can help you hold the at-fault driver accountable for your injuries and losses after a collision in a parking lot. Contact us today for a free consultation.
