Car Accidents in Parking Lots and Garages

Most motorists are aware that driving carries certain risks. However, even the most safety-conscious drivers might occasionally let their guard down in a parking lot or garage. Although vehicles do not travel as fast in these locations, car accidents in parking lots occur far more frequently than you might realize. According to the National Safety Council, tens of thousands of vehicle accidents occur in parking lots and garages every year. These collisions present complex questions about liability, making it challenging for injured individuals to recover the compensation they deserve for their accident-related losses.

If you have suffered injuries in a parking lot accident, a Chicago car accident lawyer can help you understand your rights. The experienced attorneys at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. have the knowledge and legal skills to efficiently assess your case and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in Chicago.

How Our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Help After Parking Lot Accidents

After being involved in a parking lot or garage accident, many people experience a period of shock. They may also endure pain, financial stress, and a sense of injustice. These overwhelming experiences can make knowing what you should do next difficult. This is where an experienced parking lot accident lawyer can help. A seasoned attorney can:

• Investigate the circumstances of the crash
• Identify all liable parties
• Handle your insurance claim from start to finish
• Calculate the full value of your losses, including medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses
• Negotiate aggressively with the insurance company for a fair settlement
• Take the at-fault party to court if the insurer is unwilling to offer reasonable compensation

When you retain the services of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., your Chicago car accident attorney can handle all the legal work while you focus on your recovery. Our team has recovered over $2 billion for injured individuals over the last 40 years.

Dangers Involved in Parking Lots and Garages

Parking lots and garages present many hazards that contribute to accidents, including:

• Lack of clear traffic signage or parking lane markings – Confusion can lead to collisions when there are no designated parking lanes or stop signs. Drivers may not know who has the right-of-way.
• Vehicles driving too fast – Although speeds are lower than on roads, many drivers go too fast in parking lots, increasing the risk of accidents.
• Pedestrians crossing parking areas – Drivers often do not expect pedestrians and may not see them crossing to and from their vehicles. Pedestrian accidents are more likely to occur during the holiday shopping season when foot traffic is at an annual high.
• Difficulty seeing pedestrians or other vehicles due to parked cars – Large SUVs and other vehicles can block sight lines and conceal pedestrians from view. Drivers may not see hazards or other cars pulling out.
• Insufficient lighting – At night or in covered garages, poor lighting creates visibility issues that can result in collisions. Drivers may not see pedestrians, other cars, or obstructions in dim conditions.
• Driver distractions – One of the most common causes of parking lot accidents is distractions, including talking on cell phones, texting, eating, or attending to children. Reduced focus leads to slowed reaction times and collisions.
• Fatigue – After a long day, drivers hurrying to leave a parking lot or garage may be less alert and slower to respond. This fatigue contributes to rear-end collisions and other parking lot accidents.
• Unexpected maneuvers – Drivers stopping suddenly to wait for a parking spot or turning down an aisle can lead to collisions, as other cars may not expect these maneuvers.

Common Types and Causes of Parking Lot and Garage Accidents

According to the National Safety Council, many parking lot accidents occur because of distracted driving. While drivers can be distracted for many reasons, many admitted to not paying attention while driving in parking lots in a National Safety Council public opinion poll because of cell phone use. According to the survey, respondents admitted to doing the following phone activity while driving in parking lots or garages:

• Make calls – 66%
• Program GPS information – 63%
• Text – 56%
• Use social media – 52%
• Send or receive emails – 50%
• Take photos or watch videos – 49%

Driver inattention, speeding, and failing to yield the right-of-way are other common causes of parking lot accidents.

Parking lot accidents can take many forms, but many accidents fall into one of the following categories:

• Cars colliding while backing up – This type of parking lot accident often occurs when a driver pulls out of a parking spot into the oncoming path of another vehicle. This accident could also occur when two vehicles collide when they are both backing up from their parking spots.
• Parking space crashes – Two cars may try to get the same parking spot at the same time, leading to a collision.
• Driving into oncoming traffic from the feeder lane – This type of collision occurs when a vehicle in the lanes between cars drives into the main thoroughfare lanes without yielding to oncoming traffic.
• Following too closely – Many accidents occur because one driver does not keep a safe distance from the other driver, so when the front driver suddenly stops or brakes, the rear driver collides with the other vehicle.

Determining fault in a parking lot accident may depend on correctly identifying the type of parking lot accident and how it happened.

Unique Legal Issues Involved in Parking Lot and Garage Accidents

Parking lot accidents involve some unique legal considerations, including:

• Unclear rules of the road – The absence of traffic lights, signs, and lane markings means right-of-way rules are not as well-defined as they are on public roads. This lack of clarity complicates determining fault.
• Lack of police response – Police may not respond or investigate unless they receive reports of major injuries. Without an official report, it can be challenging to make an insurance claim.
• Privately-owned property – Parking facilities are private property, so state traffic laws may not fully apply. Getting security camera footage can be challenging without a subpoena.
• Low speeds involved – There is a misconception that low-speed collisions are minor. Even impacts under 10 mph can cause serious injuries.
• Multiple parties’ potential liability – Depending on maintenance, design flaws, lack of signage, or other factors, both drivers and the parking facility owner may share liability.

Proving Liability in a Parking Lot or Garage Accident

To prove liability, an attorney will gather evidence to demonstrate the at-fault party’s negligence. This can include:

• Eyewitness testimony – Statements from eyewitnesses can help establish what occurred and which party was at fault.
• Video surveillance – If available, security camera footage can visually indicate right-of-way, speed, and other accident circumstances.
• Photographs – Pictures of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and injuries can document conditions. Skid marks or debris can sometimes show the movement of vehicles.
• Expert analysis – Accident reconstructionists can analyze evidence to provide expert opinions on vehicle speeds, sight lines, reaction times, and other factors that led to the collision.
• Medical reports – Documentation of the types of injuries suffered can help establish the force involved and the severity of the collision.

A skilled attorney can obtain and utilize standard and parking lot-specific evidence to build a compelling argument for their client’s claim.

Contact Our Chicago Car Crash Lawyers for Help

If you have suffered injuries in a parking garage collision, you need a skilled Chicago parking lot accident lawyer to advocate for you and protect your best interests. Insurance companies often try to undermine injured individuals’ claims when they do not have legal representation. The team at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. has a reputation for aggressive negotiation and litigation that will make the insurance adjuster take your claim seriously. Contact us today for a free consultation with a car accident attorney in Chicago.