Determining Fault for a Parking Lot Accident on Black Friday

November is one of the biggest shopping months of the year. The day after Thanksgiving begins the official start of the holiday season. As you begin to make your shopping plans, it can be beneficial to review some safety tips and ensure that you’re aware of some of the biggest risks, including parking lot accidents.

What is a Parking Lot Accident?

A parking lot accident is any type of accident that occurs in a parking lot. This could include someone running into the rear, side, or front of your vehicle. When people hear of accidents, they often relate them to the ones that occur when driving. While on-road accidents are more common than parking lot accidents, this doesn’t mean that parking lots can’t be risky. Some parking lot accidents can be minor, with minimal damages to your vehicle. Others can be more painful and expensive, requiring thousands of dollars in repairs and time off from work to recover.

Parking lot accidents are often caused by different things. For example, whereas speeding may be a common cause of accidents that occur on the road, it’s less common of a cause in parking lot accidents. Some of the more common causes of parking lot accidents include:

• Distracted driving: Drivers are more likely to use their phones when in a parking lot. They may try to respond to phone calls or put their destination into their navigation before getting on the road.
• Lack of knowledge: Drivers tend to be less aware of the laws when it comes to parking lots than they are on the road. They may not know who has the right of way at different points.
• Not looking both ways: Parking lots can get hectic, especially around the holidays. Pulling out of a parking space without looking both ways can be dangerous. It can lead to hitting another car, or even a pedestrian.
• Cutting through the lot: Another common cause of parking lot accidents is from drivers cutting across the lot. Drivers who are in a rush may cut across parking lots.

These are just a few common causes of parking lot accidents. It’s important to always be aware of your surrounding and to avoid distractions.

Who’s At Fault in a Parking Lot Accident?

A number of people can be at fault when a parking lot accident occurs. It may be the fault of the driver, another driver, a pedestrian, or even the parking lot owner. The details of the accident must be evaluated to determine who’s at fault for the accident.

Read more: Liability In NJ Parking Lot Accidents

Steps to Take After a Parking Lot Accident

If you’re involved in a parking lot accident this holiday season, make sure you take the appropriate steps to protect your safety and legal rights. Treat the parking lot accident like any other accident and report it. People are less likely to report a parking lot accident, but this can be a mistake. You may need the police report to claim damages later. Parking lot claims can also be more difficult than other types of claims, so it may be beneficial to reach out to a personal injury lawyer.

Contact a Howell Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Parking Lot Accident Case in New Jersey

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to an accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Lombardi and Lombardi, P.A. represent clients injured because of a parking lot accident in Woodbridge, Perth Amboy, Middletown, Howell, and throughout New Jersey. Call (732) 906-1500 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 1862 Oak Tree Road, Edison, NJ 08820, as well as offices in Brick, Freehold, and Point Pleasant Becah, NJ.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.