Car Accidents in Parking Lots

Parking lots almost seem designed for car accidents. Vehicles are constantly in motion, and drivers are often more focused on finding a parking space than looking out for other cars and pedestrians. Parking lot car accidents are common and usually involve low-speed collisions with minimal damage. However, even a seemingly minor fender-bender can cause serious injuries.

If you have been injured in a parking lot car accident, an experienced personal injury attorney with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. can help you file an accurate, well-documented, and effective claim for compensation. Contact our legal team today for a free consultation. We value the attorney-client relationship, and we work to protect the rights of injured victims.

Causes of Parking Lot Collisions in Washington DC

There are several factors that can contribute to parking lot collisions, including:

Poor Lighting

One common cause of parking lot accidents is poor lighting. If a parking lot is poorly lit, it can be difficult to see potential hazards, leading to accidents.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of parking lot accidents. When drivers are distracted, they’re not paying attention to their surroundings, leading to them hitting other cars or pedestrians.

Reversing Into Traffic

Reversing into traffic is another common cause of parking lot accidents. When drivers reverse into traffic, they’re not paying attention to their surroundings and may hit a parked car or pedestrian.

Speeding

Speeding is often a factor in parking lot accidents, as drivers may be trying to find a spot or get to their destination quickly, causing them to run into another vehicle.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim for Parking Lots Accidents in Washington DC

If you’ve been in a parking lot accident, you may be able to file a personal injury claim to recover damages. To learn more about filing personal injury claims, contact one of our experienced accident attorneys today.

Protecting Your Rights in a Parking Lot Accident

Since many parking lots are considered private property, law enforcement may not always come to the car accident scene to write a police report.

Because of this, it is all the more important that you:

• Document the damage with photographs
• Obtain contact/insurance information from the other party
• Report the accident to your insurance company

Parking lot accidents often cause heated disagreements about who is at fault. Having an experienced car accident attorney on your side can help immensely when it comes to gathering the evidence needed to prove your claim.

The Role of a Washington DC Parking Lot Owner

The role of the parking lot or property owner is to ensure that the premises are reasonably safe for invitees, such as customers and delivery people. This duty includes inspecting the parking lot for hazards and repairing any dangerous conditions in a timely manner. If you’ve been injured in a parking lot accident due to a property owner’s negligence, it’s important to speak with an experienced attorney who can help you file a claim.

Accident Severity and Injuries

Even at very low speeds, parking lot car accidents can still cause soft-tissue injuries, such as muscle strains and sprains (e.g. whiplash). Symptoms from these injuries sometimes do not show themselves until several days after the accident occurred. Whiplash injuries can potentially lead to ongoing pain and medical treatment. Other common injuries in a parking lot accident include broken bones, herniated discs,  and concussions.

If you are experiencing serious injuries after a parking lot accident, worrying about a lawsuit may only further delay your recovery. Contact an attorney today. We will take care of the claims process for you and work with the other insurance company to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Tips for Avoiding Parking Lot Accidents in Washington DC

There are a few things you can do to avoid parking lot accidents:

• Pay attention to your surroundings: When you’re walking or driving in a parking lot, be aware of your surroundings and look out for other cars and pedestrians.
• Use caution when reversing: When reversing into traffic, use caution and check for other cars or pedestrians behind you.
• Don’t drive distracted: Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents, so staying focused when you’re behind the wheel is important.

If you’ve been involved in a parking lot collision, it’s important to know that you have options. An experienced Washington DC parking lot accident attorney can help you understand your rights and options and determine if you have a valid personal injury lawsuit.

Contributory Negligence in Washington DC 

In a contributory negligence jurisdiction, like Washington, DC, if you are 1% negligent, and your negligence was a cause of the collision, you will not be able to recover for your injuries or damages. In other words, if both parties contributed in some way to causing an accident, even if one party had only shares a small percentage of fault, neither party will be able to recover for their damages.   

Comparative Fault in Washington DC

In a comparative fault system, each driver is assigned a percentage of fault for the accident. For example, this means that if one driver is considered 80% at fault and another 20%, then each party will pay their proportional share of damages based on those percentages (e.g., $100,000 total in losses equals an award worth $80,000 from Driver A to B since they caused more harm than anyone else). If the case involves a head-on collision, Washington, DC does not use comparative fault. However, Washington, DC, does have a form of comparative negligence for bicycles and other vulnerable users.

What Our Washington DC Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Can Do For You

The Washington, DC car accident lawyers with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have a proven track record of success helping clients obtain the maximum compensation possible for injuries they have suffered due to the negligence of others. Our firm has consistently demonstrated we have the expertise needed to help our clients see that justice is served. We have the resources needed to conduct thorough investigations of all the circumstances contributing to a motor vehicle accident, gathering the evidence to establish liability and negligence.

Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has achieved more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements, and our attorneys have more than a century of combined legal experience. Two of our partners are certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our firm has also earned the highest AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, one of the most respected attorney-ranking service organizations in the United States. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. attorneys work passionately on behalf of our clients to help them secure fair compensation – there is no type of case that is too complex for us to litigate.

How Much Is My Pedestrian Accident Claim Worth?

The best way to find out what your case might be worth is to speak with an attorney with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our accident lawyers have obtained settlements for various car accident cases. 

Here are a few of our case results:

• $6 million for a client who suffered a brain injury after being involved in a rear-end collision.
• $4.8 million for a severely injured client after another vehicle struck his motorcycle.
• $1.9 million for a client who suffered a permanent back injury due to a car accident.
• $1.5 million for a client who had to undergo multiple surgeries after a negligent motorist cut off his motorcycle.
• $1 million settlement obtained on behalf of our 19-year-old client who was a passenger in a car in which the driver lost control, causing a collision. As a result, our client suffered extensive brain damage with cognitive impairment. He was in a coma for an extended period of time. Although he has regained consciousness, he is unable to care for himself. The law firm asked the Court to appoint him a guardian to care for him. The law firm is helping to establish a special needs trust so that the proceeds from the settlement will be protected against any medical liens.
• $1 million settlement on behalf of a client who suffered a brain injury when the driver of the car in which he was a passenger lost control of his vehicle.

Contact a DC Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you are looking for the highest level representation available for your personal injury case, turn to Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, DC Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, DC.We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered, but our attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call (202) 659-8600  or contact us online to get the proven legal representation you deserve.