Parking lots are areas where drivers are supposed to operate their vehicles slowly and yield the right-of-way when required. Unfortunately, many drivers don’t know how to drive safely in parking lots or simply choose to take dangerous risks. This leads to parking lot accidents.
Although they occur in a parking area rather than on the road, these accidents can still be very serious and can still cause grave and permanent injury. If you or a loved one has been seriously hurt while leaving a lot or garage, a Fort Lauderdale parking lot car accident lawyer can take charge of your case. With two decades of experience helping people injured in auto accidents, Attorney Fuchs is committed to fighting for your rights and the compensation you deserve to ensure the financial wellbeing of you and your family. Call today for a free consultation.
Causes of Parking Lot Accidents in Fort Lauderdale
Parking lot accidents can occur for many different reasons. Knowledgeable attorneys remind drivers that a crash in a parking lot or garage can happen when a driver:
- Backs out of a parking space without looking.
- Fails to yield the right-of-way to another vehicle
- Fails to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian
- When drivers are going too quickly and lose control of their vehicle in parking lots
- When drivers go the wrong way down parking lot lanes
In parking lots, drivers are expected to obey the standard rules of the road including driving at a safe speed and yielding as required to pedestrians and other motorists. When a driver fails to do this and an accident happens, he can be held responsible just as he could for any other accident. A dedicated lawyer in Fort Lauderdale could help with this aspect of filing a parking lot accident claim.
Injuries Seen in Parking Lot Crashes
Many people assume that parking lot accidents aren’t that dangerous because people tend to drive slower in these locations than they do on the roads. However, even a low-speed crash can cause serious harm. Some of the different types of injuries that are common after a parking lot accident include:
- Whiplash
- Soft tissue injury
- Cuts and bruises from airbags deploying
- Neck and back injuries
- Broken bones
When you experience the symptoms of whiplash, soft tissue injuries, or certain other serious health problems as a result of a parking lot accident, it can be difficult to conclusively prove the extent of your injury so you can recover appropriate compensation. This is because there are no clear medical tests for these types of injuries and insurance companies are often reluctant to admit that a low-speed accident can cause such serious harm. It is important you have appropriate medical documentation and that you consult with a Fort Lauderdale attorney experienced in parking lot accidents for help in building a strong case.
Backover accidents – particularly those involving young children or elderly adults, can be especially serious and may even be fatal – even at low speeds.
Liability for Wrecks in a Parking Garage
To obtain compensation after a parking lot accident, you must prove that the other driver is to blame and that he or she did something unreasonably careless or negligent. An experienced lawyer in Fort Lauderdale will assist you in getting the evidence you need to prove fault after a crash. You can then obtain compensation for:
- Medical costs
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Work with a Fort Lauderdale Parking Lot Car Accident Attorney Today
These damages can equal a significant amount of money, especially if you have sustained permanent or ongoing injuries as a result of the parking lot crash. You can obtain compensation through a personal injury lawsuit that goes to court or can negotiate a settlement with the help of your lawyer. In some cases, a premises liability claim may also be made against the property or business owner when a dangerous parking lot condition caused or contributed to a collision.
Call Fort Lauderdale parking lot car accident lawyer David I. Fuchs as soon as you can to discuss your case and pinpoint the best next steps. Use our online contact form to reach out.
