You might think parking lots are safer than roads because they have parked and slower-moving motorists. In reality, parking lot accidents are extremely common. About 20 percent of automobile accidents happen in parking lots, causing over 60,000 injuries per year.
If you have been injured in a parking lot by a negligent driver or in unsafe conditions, contact The Wilhite Law Firm. Drivers and parking lot owners are responsible for the harm they cause, so you may have a claim for financial compensation. Our car accident attorneys can provide legal counsel and answer all your questions about liability for parking lot accidents. We can also help you pursue a personal injury claim against responsible parties to cover your losses.
Contact us today to speak to a parking lot accident attorney in Dallas.
What Are Common Causes of Parking Lot Accidents in Dallas?
Many of the causes of collisions in parking garages and lots are the same as causes of car accidents on the road: driver inattentiveness and aggressive driving. Common contributing factors in parking lot crashes may include:
- Driving distracted
- Speeding
- Cutting off other drivers
- Ignoring signs
- Making overly wide turns
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Pulling into parking spots incorrectly
What Are Some Types of Dallas Parking Lot Accidents?
Parking lots contain a mix of motorists and pedestrians, so several types of accidents can occur:
- Car crashes – The most obvious is two cars colliding with one another. Very often, parking lot collisions happen when drivers back out of their spaces simultaneously or without checking to see whether other cars are approaching from either side.
- Pedestrian accidents – Collisions with pedestrians are another common occurrence. These can happen when a distracted pedestrian walks into the path of an oncoming car or a driver doesn’t look for pedestrians before leaving a parking spot or turning into a lane.
- Slip and falls – Slip and fall accidents often happen in parking lots. Pedestrians might slip on puddles or trip over cracks and potholes in the ground. They may also trip over curbs and structures in poorly lit areas.
Regardless of the type, Dallas parking lot accidents can create severe injuries that require expensive medical treatment and time off work. Our lawyers are here to help.
Can I Seek Compensation for My Injuries and Damages?
You can often seek compensation for your losses if you are injured in a parking garage or lot because of someone else’s negligence.
Compensation for a parking lot injury is supposed to cover any losses you have suffered because of the accident, which can include:
- Emergency medical bills and continuing medical expenses, such as prescriptions and rehabilitative services
- Lost income from being unable to work due to injuries
- Reduced earning potential due to permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Our parking lot accident attorneys at The Wilhite Law Firm have extensive experience negotiating with insurance companies to help our clients demand compensation for their accident-related injuries and losses. Our strategy is to argue forcefully for the maximum recovery and not give insurance companies a chance to lowball you. If they refuse to offer a reasonable settlement, we can file a lawsuit and take them to court to fight for the money you need.
How Can You Prove Who Is Liable for My Injuries?
In the case of parking lot accidents, liability often depends on which party had the right-of-way. Traffic and pedestrians generally have the right of way over parked cars. That means that if someone is pulling out of their parking space, they must first look for vehicles and pedestrians in the aisles. If they fail to yield the right-of-way, they can be liable for any car accident they cause. In the case of two cars pulling out at the same time, the one that started moving first typically has the right of way.
Liability in car and pedestrian parking lot accidents is usually a matter of negligence. The party whose negligence caused the collision bears liability.
When the accident was due to unsafe parking lot conditions or design, then the lot’s owner or property manager can be liable for injuries. For example, the property owner could be responsible for injuries if two cars collide because of contradictory road arrows in the lot.
Does Texas Have a Time Limit for Filing a Parking Lot Accident Claim?
You have a limited time to file a parking lot accident lawsuit in Texas. Texas’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases allows an injured party two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. If you file your lawsuit after the deadline, the court can dismiss your case without a hearing, and you’ll be unable to pursue compensation in court. Contact our Dallas parking lot accident lawyer today.
Why Choose The Wilhite Law Firm for Your Parking Lot Accident Case?
When taking on insurance companies and dealing with courts, you need an experienced personal injury attorney to provide legal counsel. Since 1977, The Wilhite Law Firm has dedicated itself to protecting the rights of the injured. We have collectively recovered over $1 billion in compensation for our clients, but our motivation is more than money. Our attorney’s goal is to provide compassionate and effective legal services for those who need help. We cannot make it so your injuries never happened, but we can pursue justice and help you recover and rebuild your life.
Here’s what one of our satisfied clients had to say about working with our firm:
“What happens to you in an accident is not fun. What you need is someone to be there for you. Rob makes sure that you are always happy from the beginning to the end…You won’t regret your decision when you have such a life changing event. Don’t mess up and hire someone that doesn’t care. Hire Wilhite and there won’t be a regret.” – Gaby Mims
Contact a Dallas Parking Lot Accident Lawyer
A parking lot accident attorney in Dallas can help you demand fair financial compensation. If you have an injury from an accident in a parking lot, contact The Wilhite Law Firm today for a free consultation with a personal injury attorney.
*About 20 percent of automobile accidents happen in parking lots, causing over 60,000 injuries per year
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