Parking lots may involve lower speeds than highways, but they bring vehicles and pedestrians into close quarters. Drivers back out of spaces, pedestrians walk between parked cars, delivery vehicles stop in travel lanes, and motorists compete for limited visibility. One careless maneuver can cause a serious injury.
If you were hurt in a car accident in a parking lot in College Park, Georgia, Rafi Law Firm can help determine what happened and who may be responsible. Contact us at (404) 990-4369 for a free consultation with a College Park parking lot accident lawyer today.
How Rafi Law Firm Can Help After a Car Accident in College Park, GA
A parking lot accident in College Park, GA, can be surprisingly difficult to sort out. There may be no traffic signal establishing who had the right of way, and drivers sometimes offer conflicting accounts of the collision. Fortunately, nearby businesses may have cameras, and the location and pattern of vehicle damage can provide valuable evidence.
A College Park car accident attorney from our team can help by:
- Inspecting the circumstances surrounding the collision
- Seeking surveillance footage before it is erased
- Obtaining witness statements and accident reports
- Reviewing vehicle damage and other physical evidence
- Identifying potentially responsible parties
- Documenting your injuries and financial losses
- Handling negotiations with insurance companies
- Filing a lawsuit when necessary to protect your interests
Rafi Law Firm’s attorneys have more than 50 years of combined legal experience, including prior experience defending insurance companies and large corporations against personal injury claims. Our firm has recovered more than $200 million for injured clients.
Give our College Park personal injury lawyers a call to arrange a complimentary consultation.
What Causes Parking Lot Accidents?
Many parking lot crashes happen because a driver fails to notice another vehicle or pedestrian nearby. Parked SUVs, trucks, columns, landscaping, and other obstructions can make visibility especially difficult.
Frequent causes include:
- Backing out without checking for approaching traffic
- Distracted driving
- Driving too fast for the conditions
- Failing to yield
- Making abrupt turns
- Cutting across parking spaces
- Driving the wrong way through marked lanes
- Failing to watch for pedestrians
Some collisions involve more than one contributing factor. Examining the driver’s conduct alongside the layout and condition of the property can provide a clearer picture of why the accident occurred.
Who Can Be Liable for a College Park Parking Lot Accident?
The negligent driver is often the primary party responsible for a parking lot collision. For example, a motorist who backs into another vehicle without looking may be liable for the resulting injuries.
Other cases are more complicated. An employer could potentially bear responsibility for a crash caused by an employee acting within the scope of employment. In some circumstances, dangerous property conditions may also raise questions about whether the owner or operator of the premises contributed to the accident.
Possible responsible parties can include:
- A negligent driver
- A driver’s employer
- A property owner or operator
- Another party whose conduct contributed to the collision
A parking lot accident attorney in College Park can investigate the circumstances to identify all potentially liable parties.
What Injuries Can Occur in Parking Lot Accidents?
Low speed does not necessarily mean injury-free. A pedestrian struck by a vehicle has almost no physical protection, while vehicle occupants can still be hurt by an unexpected impact.
Parking lot accidents may cause:
- Concussions and other head injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Broken bones
- Knee and shoulder injuries
- Cuts and bruises
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Spinal injuries
The severity of an injury depends on factors such as the type of collision, the speed and size of the vehicle, and whether the victim was inside a vehicle or on foot.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Parking Lot Accident in College Park, Georgia?
If someone else’s negligence caused the accident, Georgia law may allow you to seek compensation for the losses resulting from your injuries.
Depending on your case, recoverable damages may include:
- Medical bills and future treatment costs
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability or disfigurement
The value of a claim depends on the individual consequences of the accident. Medical records, employment information, repair bills, and evidence showing how your injuries affect your daily activities can help document those losses.
What If Multiple Parties Share Fault?
Georgia uses a modified comparative negligence system. An injured person who is less than 50% responsible may still recover damages, but the award can be reduced according to their share of fault. A person who is 50% or more responsible generally cannot recover damages from another party.
Shared-fault disputes are particularly relevant in parking lots, where two vehicles might back out simultaneously or disagree about which driver entered an aisle first. Video footage and independent witnesses can be especially useful in resolving these disputes.
How Long Do I Have to File a Parking Lot Accident Lawsuit in Georgia?
Georgia generally imposes a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits. Certain circumstances can affect the applicable deadline, so waiting until the end of that period to investigate a claim can create unnecessary problems.
Parking lot surveillance footage is particularly time-sensitive because businesses may routinely overwrite recordings. Contacting an attorney soon after the accident can improve the chances of preserving footage and other evidence before it disappears.
Call Our College Park Parking Lot Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation Today
A crash in a parking lot can lead to medical bills, missed work, and an insurance dispute that is far more complicated than the relatively low-speed setting might suggest. You do not have to determine fault or deal with competing insurers on your own.
If you were injured in a parking lot accident in College Park, Georgia, reach out to Rafi Law Firm for help today. Our College Park parking lot accident attorneys can review the circumstances, discuss your options, and determine what steps make sense for your claim. Your initial consultation is free.
