Car accidents in parking lots may happen at lower speeds than most street accidents, and likely never reach the speeds of highway crashes, but they can still be very serious. Even in low-speed parking lot accidents, you can face long-lasting injuries. If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident in a parking lot, it is important to talk to a car accident lawyer.
The Philadelphia parking lot car accident lawyers at The Reiff Law Firm represent car accident injury victims and their families in lawsuits against the negligent drivers that hit them. In parking lots, some of the blame may also fall to the parking lot or parking deck owner, and you may be able to sue them as well. For a free consultation on your parking lot car accident injury case, contact our law offices today. Our number is (215) 709-6940.
Injuries from Parking Lot Car Accidents
Some of the most serious injuries that occur in parking lot car accidents happen when vehicles strike pedestrians. Many parking lots may not have good places for people to walk, and many parking decks have tight corners and steep ramps that cut off the driver’s view. This increases the risk that a driver may be unable to see other cars or pedestrians.
If you are hit by a car as a pedestrian, you could face serious injuries. Some of the most dangerous injuries in Philadelphia car accidents happen in pedestrian accident cases. Even at slow speeds, a driver may run over part of your body or hit you full-force. Without the protective shell of a car around you – and without even a helmet like bikers – you could suffer severe injuries like broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and back and spinal injuries.
If you were driving another car when you had a collision with a negligent driver, you can face surprisingly severe injuries. Especially in rear-end collisions, you may suffer whiplash injuries. When your car is suddenly struck, it may jerk forward, causing your head to bobble in a whipping motion. This action can cause sprains and strains in your neck, as well as injury to the bones and nerves. Ultimately, many whiplash victims face long-lasting or even lifelong pain and discomfort from these kinds of accidents.
Low speed accidents in a parking lot can also injure your back. Depending on the condition of your back going into the accident, a car accident could cause surprising damage. Low back injuries are especially common after a car accident and may cause ongoing discomfort. Especially if you already suffered from back problems, a car accident may make your condition worse.
Suing for Car Accidents in a Parking Lot in PA
When you get into a car accident in a parking lot, you may be able to sue for property damage and personal injury. Damage to your car may be surprising in low-speed crashes – but your primary concern should always be physical injuries. If you suffer any pain in your neck or back, or if you received serious brain or spinal injuries as s pedestrian, you may be entitled to sue the other driver and the owner of the parking lot.
Parking lot and parking deck owners should understand the risks their patrons face. If the parking lot had corners or ramps that are difficult to see around, the owner failed to put mirrors at corners, the lot was poorly lit, or there were no safe paths for pedestrians, they may be partly to blame for car accidents.
The driver that struck you may be held liable for the car accident, much like they could an auto accident that happened on a street or highway. The rules of the road still apply to parking lots; drivers need to follow stop signs, yield signs, and one-way signs. Failing to do so can result in dangerous car crashes. If the other driver struck your stopped vehicle or disobeyed traffic signs, it is often quite clear that they were at fault for the crash. This can help you prove fault when you take the case to court.
If there is more than one party to sue, the court can assign partial blame to each person. This means that you can file a case against both the parking lot/parking garage owner as well as the negligent driver. The jury can assess each party’s contributions to your injury and split the damages among both parties. This helps assure that at least one of them will be made to pay for your injuries.
Parking Lot Car Crash Lawyer in Philadelphia
The parking lot auto accident injury lawyers at The Reiff Law Firm may be able to help if you suffered injuries in a car accident in a parking lot. Whether you were on foot or driving another car when you were hit, our lawyers may be able to represent you against the other driver and the parking lot owner and fight to get your injuries compensated. For a free consultation on your case, call our law offices today at (215) 709-6940.
