Parking lots are busy places. Between pedestrian traffic and drivers backing up to vacate a parking space, trying to navigate a busy parking lot safely can be a challenge that requires a driver’s full attention.
If a driver is going too fast and is not looking out for hazards while moving through the parking lot, he or she runs the risk of causing a rear-end accident with a stopped car or with a vehicle that is backing out of a space. Even worse, the negligent driver could strike a pedestrian, potentially causing significant injuries, even at slow speeds.
If you suffered an injury because of the negligent behavior of another driver, consider hiring a Biloxi parking lot accident lawyer for help with your case. The team at the Morris Bart law firm knows that these types of accidents can be more serious than they may appear initially, leaving victims with ongoing health concerns.
For a free review of your situation, call us today at (228) 357-9621.
Determining Liability in a Parking Lot Crash
When you suffer an injury in a parking lot accident, you and your attorney may determine that multiple people should be held liable for your injuries.
For a free legal consultation with a Parking Lot Accident lawyer serving Biloxi, call (228) 357-9621
Other Driver
If you can show that another driver was going too fast in the parking lot, did not give you the right of way, or was driving while distracted, this will show that the other driver was behaving in a negligent manner. In other words, the other driver could have taken a different set of actions or made a different choice, and this would have prevented your injuries.
Parking Lot Owner
The owner of the parking lot has a duty to maintain the lot in good condition. If the owner does not fix potholes or does not have clearly marked areas for pedestrians to cross intersections safely, you may be able to show that this lack of maintenance led to your accident. If so, the parking lot owner could be held liable for your injuries.
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Working with an Attorney
If you are having trouble trying to figure out who should be held liable for your injuries, a Biloxi parking lot accident lawyer is a good start. The Morris Bart law firm is ready to work to study the facts in the case, determining what happened.
We understand that you may be struggling with pain and missed work from your injuries in this type of crash. Let us take over the negotiations with the responsible party’s insurance company, giving you more free time to heal. Contact us at (228) 357-9621 today for a free review of your case.
What You Should Do After a Parking Lot Accident
If you are involved in an accident in a parking lot, you should take a few steps to ensure the best possible outcome. You should avoid accepting fault for the accident, among other important steps, according to the Mississippi Insurance Department (MID). These include:
- Check for injuries: Make sure everyone involved does not have serious injuries. Call first responders if they do.
- Call the police: You should call the police and inform them of any injuries from the accident.
- Take photos: Take photographs of any damage that occurred, including photos of the condition of the parking lot near where the accident took place to show whether a lack of maintenance occurred.
- Exchange information: Swap contact information with the other driver or other parties involved in the crash, just in case police choose not to investigate the crash and file a police report.
- File a report: If the police will not respond to the accident, you should file an incident report with local law enforcement officials on your own later.
- Seek medical care: Seek immediate emergency medical care for your injuries, or visit your personal doctor a day or two after the crash so you have complete documentation of your injuries.
Once you have done all of this, you will be prepared to file a personal injury claim against the negligent party, should you choose to do so.
Understand that you do not have to seek treatment for your injuries immediately to be eligible to file a personal injury claim. Some injuries do not become noticeable until a few days or later after the crash.
Receiving Fair Treatment from the Insurer
A parking lot is generally considered to be an area that is intended to be used for the parking of vehicles, regardless of whether the area is paved or unpaved and regardless of whether the area is public space or privately owned. If your accident occurred in either a public or private lot, you may be able to seek compensation for injuries caused by another’s negligence.
However, an accident in a parking lot can be tricky to understand. Because some parking lots are privately owned, the police may not be called to investigate a crash in the lot, especially if it does not seem as though anyone suffered an injury.
What you may find, though, is that while your injuries seem minor in the immediate aftermath of the crash, your pain may become far more severe the next day.
After an injury in an accident, remember that you have a limited amount of time to file a claim. In Mississippi, you have up to three years to do so, according to Mississippi House Bill 1257 §15-1-49. When you work with a lawyer, you can have someone by your side who can ensure that you meet any relevant deadlines for your case.
Call Us Today for a Free Consultation
Without a police report, it can be difficult to prove the full details of an accident. Without being able to show that the other driver made a correctable error that caused your injuries, you may have a challenging experience with pursuing a settlement.
However, when you hire the Morris Bart law firm as your Biloxi parking lot accident lawyer, we can work with you to study the facts in the case to show negligence occurred and caused your injuries. We will interview witnesses, study any damage to property and vehicles, and look at any video that is available.
Call us today at (228) 357-9621 for a free consultation. Because we work on a contingency-fee-basis, you do not need to make any payment ahead of time to secure our services to represent you. Our fee will come only at the end of a successful case, as a percentage of the final settlement amount.
Questions?Call (228) 357-9621
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
