Determining who is at fault in a parking lot car accident can sometimes be difficult. While normal rules of the road will still apply within the parking lot, there may be issues with the condition of the parking lot that contributed to the accident. Therefore, there could be more than one party that is responsible for your injuries. If you or a family member was injured in a parking lot accident, you should consult with an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer. At The Reiff Law Firm, our lawyers have experience dealing with driver liability in complex car accident cases. Our lawyers are here to explain who is typically at fault in parking lot car accidents in Pennsylvania.
Common Injuries in Parking Lot Accidents
Parking lot car accidents are rarely ever high-speed accidents. However, that does not mean that you cannot sustain a serious injury due to a parking lot accident. Due to the tight turns and corridors in many parking lots, it can become difficult to maneuver a vehicle or spot other vehicles that could be exiting or entering the parking lot.
One injury that could occur in a parking lot accident is whiplash. Whiplash injuries are often caused when a person’s vehicle is rear-ended by another vehicle. A rear-end car accident can occur in a parking lot if a driver is pulling out of a parking spot without noticing other motorists or if two drivers are simultaneously pulling out of a parking spot and fail to notice each other. A driver could also rear-end you if they are more concerned with finding a parking space than watching where they are driving. The impact of the crash may cause a person’s head and neck to swing forward rapidly and snap back into place. This sudden extreme motion causes whiplash injuries.
Whiplash is an injury that may not show symptoms for up to 24 hours after, or later. Therefore, if you were in a rear-end car accident, you should be on the lookout for some of the following signs and symptoms of whiplash:
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue and dizziness
- Decreased range of motion in your neck
- Issues with your memory
- Numbness or tingling sensations in certain parts of your body
- Pain in your extremities
- Severe neck pain (especially when moving your neck and head)
These are only a few of the signs and symptoms that could mean you are suffering from whiplash. Due to how long it may take for this injury to appear, it is important not to assume that you did not receive an injury in a car accident. Just because your vehicle did not suffer serious damage does not mean that you did not suffer bodily injury.
Another common injury that can occur in a parking lot accident is a back or spinal injury. Even though many parking lot accidents typically occur at low speeds, this does not mean that you cannot sustain a back or spinal injury. Lower back injuries are also commonly caused by rear-end accidents. If the injury was serious enough, you could suffer from chronic back pain or even some form of paralysis.
There are other injuries not listed here that can occur in a parking lot crash. If you wish to know more about common injuries that occur in a parking lot, you should speak with an experienced parking garage injury lawyer.
Who is Liable for Your Parking Lot Crash Injuries?
When determining who is liable for your parking lot crash injuries, it is important to remember that the rules of the road still apply when navigating a parking lot. This means you should follow stop or yield signs and understand when another driver has the right-of-way. Drivers who clearly violate the rules of the road will likely be liable for your injuries.
One example of a driver not adhering to traffic laws is when a driver negligently cuts across painted parking spot lines to avoid traffic. This can lead to accidents because the negligent driver may not see another motorist driving in their blind spots. Reversing your vehicle out of a spot without checking for other motorists can also cause a serious accident. A driver who recklessly maneuvers their vehicle through a parking lot can cause serious injuries to other motorists and pedestrians traveling through the lot.
Additionally, in certain instances, the parking lot owner may be held liable for your injuries, too. For example, if a parking garage is poorly lit and it is difficult to navigate, it may increase the likelihood of a collision. If there is more than one party that is liable for your injuries, it is possible that the court may divide the fault – and the damages – between the defendants you sued.
Our Personal Injury Attorneys Can Fight Your Parking Garage Accident Case
If you or a family member was injured in a parking lot accident, you should speak with an experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorney today. The injury attorneys at The Reiff Law Firm have decades of experience dealing with car accident cases where liability for an accident is not entirely clear. To schedule a free consultation for your case, call us at (215) 709-6940.
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