Are you careful when driving through parking lots with you RV? Sometimes accidents can still happen. Here’s a few tips on what to do following a little fender bender in the lot.
Even though people usually drive slowly through parking lots, there is a high risk of collision because of the tight spaces. The truth is that parking lot accidents are quite common and can result in serious injuries, especially when it’s a situation involving a car and a pedestrian. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an estimated 20% of car accidents happen in parking garages or parking lots.
Parking lot accidents often happen when a driver is backing out of a space, two vehicles are trying to go into the same space, or someone is inattentive when they start driving. While the parking lot is an area where drivers should be on high alert, it often happens that drivers are not paying attention because they are looking at their phones or GPS.
Tips: What To Do Immediately
When a parking lot accident occurs, there are several things that you should do right away. Not only is it important to protect yourself and others from harm, but these initial steps make a difference in your insurance claims.
The first priority is to manage any medical emergencies. First aid is sometimes necessary to stop the bleeding or help stabilize a victim. It’s essential to call for emergency services as soon as possible.
Even if you aren’t experiencing any symptoms, it’s still important to consult with medical experts. It’s possible that the shock of the situation is masking the physical injuries, and the symptoms will start to set in later. You need the medical documents and police reports to help with building your insurance case.
Take photos and videos of the scene. Collect information from the drivers and anyone else involved. Ask for contact information from other people who were not involved but might have witnessed the situation. If your injuries are preventing you from collecting this evidence, then consider asking someone to help.
Next Step: Call an Attorney
Once you are stabilized, it’s time to consider how your legal rights will be protected. You need professional legal support to navigate the insurance claims and paperwork. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is trying to handle the situation on your own. Remember that the insurance company is working to minimize their out-of-pocket expenses. So, it’s common for a DIY insurance claim to result in an underpayment for the injuries.
When you call a Washington attorney, make sure that you are working with someone who specializes in personal injury. Ask if they have successfully negotiated car accident cases before. When the attorney has a long history of success, then you can have confidence in knowing that it’s likely you will also have a good outcome.
Since the “rules of the road” don’t apply in parking lots, it can be more challenging to prove liability. You need to be working with a legal advocate who understands the proper evidence to use and the best way to build the case. A seasoned attorney knows how to negotiate with insurance companies with the goal of settling for a fair amount instead of taking things to court.
So, if you or a loved one has been injured in a parking lot accident, the best thing you can do is call a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. You deserve to have an advocate helping with your insurance settlement.
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Written by Becki Andrus
