According to the National Safety Council (NSC), tens of thousands of accidents occur in parking lots and commercial garages every year. These accidents cause hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries on an annual basis. Parking lot accidents tend to increase during the holidays, and they affect drivers of all ages and driving experience levels. Garage workers, bystanders, pedestrians, and vehicle occupants can all be impacted by a parking lot accident.

If you were involved in a parking lot accident either as a pedestrian or a driver, you may be able to file a personal injury claim to receive compensation for your injuries. To learn more about the claims process and determine whether your case qualifies for compensation, contact the Morris Bart law firm today at (228) 357-9621. If you hire a Gulfport parking lot accident lawyer from our team, we will guide you every step of the way.

How Parking Lot Accidents Occur

Parking lot accidents may occur in many different scenarios, including when drivers:

Exceed the parking lot’s speed limit.
Back up or pull forward out of a parking space without checking for pedestrians and other cars.
Go against the flow of traffic.
Block other vehicles.

Backing up, due to vision limitations in many vehicles, can be dangerous, Crowded parking lots can increase these dangers. The proximity with which cars are parked next to each other in a parking lot can make it difficult to see the surroundings and assess whether or not there are pedestrians or other cars approaching your vehicle. Backup cameras and parking assists can help avoid accidents, but an over-reliance on these technologies can be detrimental if drivers fail to use them correctly. Driver inexperience with parking can also play a hand in causing a parking lot accident.

Furthermore, traffic flows in parking lots can also contribute to an accident. In large parking structures, traffic flows are designed to minimize congestion and blockages. Yet, many drivers fail to follow this traffic flow accordingly, by driving in the wrong direction down a one-way aisle or taking shortcuts through empty parking spaces. This is very dangerous and can lead to an accident if another driver or pedestrian does not notice this hazard until it is too late.

Driver Distractions

The role of driver distraction in causing accidents is well-documented, with texting and driving quickly becoming a public health issue. Distracted driving also affects people operating vehicles inside parking lots. A National Safety Council poll found that while driving through a parking lot:

Over 60% of respondents would program their navigation system.
Over 55% would send or receive text messages.
Over 50% would use social media.
About half would send and/or receive emails.
About half would take photos and/or watch videos.

Teens were more likely to groom themselves, whereas adults were more likely to be using their phones. Unless drivers make a conscious effort to avoid these activities while driving, parking lot accidents will continue to occur.

Additional Risks

Beyond traffic flow issues, driver distraction, and driver inexperience with navigating parking lots, environmental factors can also cause or contribute to a parking lot accident. For example, issues with any of the following can lead to an accident.

Missing pavement or lane stripes.
Cracks or potholes.
Inadequate signage.
Clutter or debris.
Poor lighting.
Uneven lanes.
Slick or slippery surfaces.

If you’ve experienced an accident in a parking lot due to another driver’s negligence, contact the Morris Bart law firm at (228) 357-9621. Our Gulfport parking lot accident lawyer can help you evaluate the circumstances of your parking lot accident and determine the best course of action for your case.

For a free legal consultation with a Parking Lot Accident lawyer serving Gulfport, call 800-537-8185

Building a Parking Lot Accident Case

Parking lot accidents differ from traffic accidents in that they often involve low speeds and limited vehicle damage. However, these accidents can still lead to serious injuries. If you are facing such injuries after a parking lot accident, you may qualify to recover damages through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.

An important step in building any personal injury case is collecting evidence. If you hire us to work on your case, our team will look for evidence to support your claim, such as:

CCTV or surveillance footage.
Medical treatment expense reports.
X-rays and diagnostic test results.
Salary statements and wage slips to prove lost income.
Vehicle damage assessments.
Cell Phone usage to prove distracted driving.

Your medical records, salary statements, and receipts from out-of-pocket expenses will also play an important role. We will use items like these to calculate the overall value of your damages in order to pursue a fair settlement offer. If we are unable to negotiate an agreement, we can take your evidence of damages to court.

Contact Morris Bart Today

If you were involved in a parking lot accident, call the Morris Bart law firm today at (228) 357-9621 for a free case evaluation. Our Gulfport parking lot accident lawyer may be able to assist you with:

Determining fault for your accident.
Evaluating your losses and damages.
Gathering evidence in support of your claim.
Negotiating with insurance adjusters and the at-fault party.
Completing administrative and legal formalities as part of the claims process.
Meeting important filing deadlines.

There is never a good time to be involved in a parking lot accident. Whether it’s a minor inconvenience or a major injury, you should not have to suffer because of the mistakes or recklessness of another party. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us today to discuss your case. Statutes of limitations apply to personal injury cases, so it is important to take action now.

Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.