Parking Lot Car Accidents in New Jersey
Parking lot accidents are common in New Jersey due to the high volume of cars and pedestrians in these locations. It only takes a moment for a careless error to result in a parking lot disaster. If you get hurt in a collision that occurs in a New Jersey parking lot, find out how to seek fair financial compensation for your medical bills and property damage with the help of an accident attorney in New Jersey.
Common Causes of Parking Lot Car Accidents
Parking lots can be busy and chaotic places, especially at popular stores and around the holidays. All drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians navigating a parking lot must take proper care to obey traffic laws and watch out for other road users. Unfortunately, people make careless and reckless errors in judgment that increase the odds of parking lot accidents.
Common causes of these collisions include:
- Distracted driving or driver inattention
- Texting or looking at a cell phone while driving
- Backing up without looking
- Driving while intoxicated or impaired
- Failing to yield the right-of-way to others
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
- Aggressive driving or road rage
While parking lot accidents in New Jersey generally occur at lower speeds than other types of collisions, they can still result in serious injuries. If a pedestrian is hit by a car in a parking lot, for example, he or she could suffer catastrophic injuries. Common injuries from parking lot accidents include whiplash, soft-tissue injuries, broken bones, spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries.
Who Is Responsible for a Parking Lot Car Accident in New Jersey?
New Jersey is a no-fault state. This means that when a car accident takes place, each party is responsible for paying for his or her own losses, regardless of fault. It may be possible to hold someone else responsible, however, if the victim has a “Standard” policy rather than “Basic.” This will have bodily injury liability insurance that can give the victim the right to sue.
If a victim has the right to sue for a parking lot accident, legal responsibility (liability) will be determined based on who was negligent, or failed to act with proper care, at the time. A violation of a traffic law is an example of negligence that could make a party at fault for the crash. An investigation into the circumstances of the accident will be necessary to determine who had the right-of-way in the parking lot.
Drivers in the main driving lanes of a parking lot have the right-of-way over drivers leaving parking spaces. If a reversing driver does not yield, he or she could be held liable for a resultant car crash. Pedestrians always have the right-of-way in crosswalks and sidewalks in New Jersey parking lots.
Pursuing Financial Compensation for a Parking Lot Car Accident
If you get involved in a parking lot accident, check yourself for injuries. If the accident is serious, report it to the police by calling 911. Exchange information with the other party involved. Document the scene by taking photographs and identifying any witnesses. Look to see if there are any cameras on the property that might have recorded the crash.
When you are ready to file an insurance claim, consult with a car accident lawyer first. A New Jersey injury lawyer can review your case to identify your legal options, which may be a first-party or third-party car insurance claim. Your lawyer can handle the claims process for you and negotiate a fair financial settlement on your behalf while you focus on healing from your injuries. Contact an attorney today.