HOW TO HANDLE A PARKING LOT ACCIDENT CLAIM

If you have ever been to the grocery store or a shopping mall on a busy day, you have probably wondered how so many poor drivers were able to get–or maintain–their license.

There is no doubt that driving in a parking lot can be frustrating and with so many inattentive people making unpredictable decisions, it doesn’t take much for someone to end up hurt. In central California, discuss your case immediately with an experienced Fresno personal injury attorney.

How many times have you seen drivers speaking on their cell phone, texting, watching some video on their phone, or eating a full meal. Before you know it, they’ve crashed into your vehicle or struck you as you were walking.

Regardless of what caused the incident, if you are involved in a parking lot accident there are several things you need to know:

How to Handle a Parking Lot Accident Claim: Get The Other Driver’s Insurance Information

One of the first challenges many people involved in a parking lot accident or parking lot crash face is the other party not wanting to exchange information. This is a red flag. It is crucial to exchange information, including each driver’s insurance provider, policy number, driver’s license, and driver’s license number with all drivers involved.

Do not agree to handle the car accident ‘under-the-table,’ without involving insurance companies or your insurance agent. Inevitably, it will be much more difficult to file a claim and resolve the claims process for property damage, vehicle damage, or injury and have it resolved in a reasonable amount of time. Accurate information exchange is essential for the claims process and for any future claims that may arise.

The other driver’s reluctance to provide their driver’s license and insurance information (including the other party’s insurance provider and policy number) may be a sign that the other party does not have car insurance or a valid driver’s license.

In instances where a person has been involved in a parking lot accident with an unlicensed and uninsured driver and suffered injuries, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) can make a big difference in terms of the victim recovering compensation for their injuries.

Additionally, collision insurance can provide coverage for your vehicle in a parking lot crash or fender bender, regardless of fault. If anyone is injured, seeking immediate medical attention and medical care is crucial, both for your health and to document injuries for a potential personal injury claim, medical expenses, and future claims.

If the other driver flat out refuses to give you their contact information, politely let them know your attorney has told you to call the local police for assistance under such circumstances. If they try to leave the scene of the crash, write down their license plate number or take a photograph of their license plate—backup camera footage can also be valuable evidence.

If the other driver is uninsured or unlicensed, or if motor vehicles are involved in a more serious incident, reporting the crash to the local police and, if required, the California Department of Motor Vehicles is necessary to comply with legal requirements.

Whether the accident occurred in private parking lots or public areas, calling the police is important, and the owner of the parking lot may also have responsibilities. Understanding right of way rules in parking lots is also important, as this can affect fault determination and the claims process.

2. Lights. Camera. Action! There Are Cameras Everywhere.

At the scene of the accident, you should whip out your video-enabled cell phone and capture information and statements from the other driver and witnesses. Take plenty of photos from different angles showing the property damage, the location of each vehicle, the parking space where the incident occurred, and any parked car or pedestrians nearby.

Be sure to document any stop sign, speed limit signs, parking space markings, and the presence of pedestrians or parked cars at the scene. This detailed documentation is crucial, as distracted drivers—especially those using cell phones—are a common cause of parking lot crashes. Remember, lower speed limits in parking lots do not eliminate the risk of a crash, especially when drivers are not attentive.

Later you can go back to the scene and talk to the business owners or the owner of a private parking lot to see if you can get a copy of any security camera footage.

Many private parking lots have surveillance cameras, and it is likely that the car accident was caught on tape. Additionally, backup camera footage from your own vehicle can also be helpful in documenting the parking lot crash.

This will be the single most important piece of evidence. Your adjuster should get this evidence, but many adjusters don’t put that much effort into these sorts of investigations. Generally, after a car accident in private parking lots, insurance companies investigate by collecting evidence such as photos, witness statements, and available video footage. They might get a few witness statements and conclude their fact-finding mission.

3. File A Police Report.

Most parking lots in the United States are considered private property, and most of these accidents are low-speed collisions. Because of this, parking lot accidents rarely result in significant bodily injury claims.

In private parking lots, police may not always respond unless there are injuries or significant property damage. This often influences police to decline your call for help. The police might even decline to respond to document the incident, determine fault, or do anything that an accident on a public road would warrant.

But, even if the ‘other side’ has already given you their contact information, you can take the initiative and file a police report by going to the nearest station. If motor vehicles are involved in a parking lot car accident or crash, you may also need to report the incident to the California Department of Motor Vehicles. This documentation will protect you in case the other person does not have insurance.

In many cases, Uninsured Property Damage Coverage in the policy makes it a requirement that you file a police report. After a car accident, you should file a claim with your insurance company or insurance agent, and provide the other party’s insurance information to facilitate the claims process.

When documenting the incident, make sure to include the party’s insurance information and details of all drivers involved, as this is important for your insurance claim and helps the insurance company process your case efficiently. All of these things are important to take into account during your decision-making process.

If you need help with a personal injury claim, recovering medical bills, or navigating the insurance claim process after being involved in a parking lot accident, consider consulting a parking lot accident lawyer for legal guidance and support.

Of course, if you have any questions, please call the California personal injury lawyers of Tomassian, Pimentel & Shapazian at 559-2787-7300.