Who’s Responsible for a Parking Lot Crash?

Car accidents can happen anywhere, even in parking lots. If there is any upside to a car accident in a parking lot, it is that people are usually driving much slower and so these types of accidents will rarely be serious. However, the downside of a car accident in a parking lot is that they are much more likely to occur, given the high number of vehicles moving in many different directions in a small space.

Below, we discuss everything you need to know about parking lot crashes and what you should do after one.

Understanding Parking Lot Accidents

Most of the time, liability for a car accident is determined by right-of-way rules. However, parking lots are a unique place on the road in that right-of-way rules are more vague. In general, though, right-of-way rules in parking lots are as follows:

• Vehicles in the main thoroughfare lanes have right-of-way.
• Vehicles waiting for another vehicle to leave a parking spot must give the vacating vehicle enough time and space to leave the spot before moving into it.
• Vehicles must adhere to traffic signage in parking lots, including stop signs, stop lights, yield signs, and more.

In some situations, fault can be determined based on these right-of-way laws. However, more often than not, the elements of parking lot accidents are too inconclusive to do so. This is why it is vital to speak with a qualified personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

Additionally, liability will vary depending on the state in which you live. While most states follow “at-fault” insurance laws wherein the at-fault driver and their insurance company will pay for damages, Florida follows “no-fault” insurance laws wherein your own insurer will pay for damages, regardless of who caused the accident. Still, some insurers in this state may unfairly deny compensation. In that case, our Florida personal injury attorneys are here to help you.

Call Michles & Booth, P.A. at 850-438-4848 to schedule a free consultation.