The holiday season’s almost here and with it comes a wave of frenzied shopping! We’re all anxious about getting our Christmas lists done, many of us have travel plans, it’s the time when nearly every store-front screams “Sale!” The streets are congested with people and vehicles and when you manage to find a parking spot, you’re ready to breathe a sigh of relief, right? Wrong! If you think the parking lot is a safe place, statistics reveal that this is an equally hazardous place for people and vehicles.

Causes of Parking Lot Accidents

Few of us realize that parking lots are actually one big pedestrian zone, with potential hazards from multiple sources. Vehicles move in all directions: forward, backwards, turning, reversing, stopping and in a host of unpredictable ways. Walkers have to be aware that a vehicle could suddenly emerge from behind or in front of them, and though drivers usually travel slowly inside a lot while they’re entering and looking for a space, they tend to speed on their way out. Additionally, if the exit is a busy traffic lane, they may suddenly slow down. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a parking lot accident, our free consultation injury lawyers can assist you with filing a claim for damages.

Such accidents are almost the same as road accidents. Some, like opening a door on to another vehicle or a pedestrian, may be more common in parking lots.

Causes include:

• Driver distraction like cellphone use
• Over speeding on main pathways
• Backing into an approaching vehicle or feeder lane
• Backing into pedestrians or shopping carts
• Reckless and negligent driving
• Inexperienced drivers
• Poor lighting
• Over-crowded lot, with multiple obstacles, shopping carts, goods, children and elders
• Exiting into/from a main thoroughfare outside carelessly
• Back-overs in which passengers who have just alighted are hit by their own car driver

In most cases, in case of accidentally hitting a parked car, the person responsible for the accident is required to leave a note with their contact information, otherwise the case is treated as a hit and run. Our 24×7 injury attorneys can conduct their own investigations, examine CCTV footage or speak to eyewitnesses and ensure that the driver at fault can be identified. All drivers have a duty of care to drive as carefully in a parking lot as they would on the highway. When you contact a personal injury lawyer, they can ensure that your rights as a victim are safeguarded.

Challenges of Enforcing Parking Lot Safety

One of the main issues with parking lots is that most of them are privately owned, which means that it is the owner’s responsibility to ensure the safety of the premises.  Government agencies can enforce DUI, driving without valid documents/licenses, hit and run violations.

Parking lots are busy places, especially during the day. Tired and distracted shoppers, hyperactive kids, teens distracted while on the phone/texting, abandoned shopping carts and a host of other hazards lurk.

Many accidents are just fender-benders but you’re entitled to compensation and our car accident lawyers can assist.

What To Do

• If someone is injured, get medical help immediately.

• If the other driver does not stop, it will be treated as a hit and run case.

• Get as much information about the at-fault party as possible. Names, address and contact telephone numbers apart, make a note of the car’s make, color and model. Get the license plate number and take photos of the vehicles’ position when the crash happened.

• The police need to be informed, however minor the collision. It may look as if no one’s hurt or the damage is minimal, but this situation could change. You may discover that there is indeed a more serious injury that requires more medical attention than you first assumed. The damage to your vehicle could be greater than what it appears to be on the surface and your garage can give you a better assessment. In many cases, the police may not actually come to the spot, but may make a file noting. This would be sufficient for insurance and medical claims.

• Inform your insurance company and contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Our accident injury lawyers available 24×7 can be of assistance immediately.

• Never chase or confront a driver. You could end up with worse injuries, if he/she is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Ensure that you don’t make inadvertent statements like “Oh I just didn’t see you,” or “I’m so sorry, this is my fault.” Such statements may be used as admissions of fault and could weaken your own case for compensation later.

If you, your family or a friend has been injured in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333 or Text a Personal Injury ‎Lawyer 24/7 and get instant help.TM (416 931 5015)