Parking lot accidents may not sound serious, but they often lead to severe injuries. These accidents can vary from a fender-bender to a vehicle running over a pedestrian.
When you are injured in a parking lot accident in San Bernardino, you can seek damages from the negligent driver with help from a dedicated car accident attorney. With professional legal assistance, your chances of getting fair compensation are higher.
Common Causes of Parking Lot Accidents
Parking lot accidents in San Bernardino happen for a number of reasons. Some of those include:
- Distracted driving: Drivers not paying attention due to texting, eating, or chatting with passengers
- Failure to yield: Drivers not yielding the right of way when necessary
- Ignoring traffic signs: Running stop signs or ignoring other traffic control devices in the lot
- Poor visibility: Limited visibility due to weather, large vehicles, or poor lighting conditions
- Reversing without checking: Failure to look properly before backing out of a parking space.
- Speeding: Driving too fast makes it harder to react to unexpected obstacles
- Vehicle malfunction: Mechanical issues, such as brake failure or tire blowouts
An attorney at Valero Law Group can identify the at-fault party and learn why the accident occurred.
Who Is Liable for a Parking Lot Accident?
Liability in a parking lot accident can differ from case to case. The driver is usually, but not always, at fault. Liable parties can also include:
Other Traffic Participants
Bicyclists and motorcyclists often act carelessly in parking lots. However, unlike pedestrians, they do not have the right of way. Their erratic behavior can cause motorists to swerve and hit another vehicle or a pedestrian.
Drivers on the Road
Drivers on a nearby road can lose control and crash into a parked vehicle, which can happen with cars parked near small stores. Such crashes often lead to more serious injuries than accidents that occur at low speeds within a parking lot.
Vehicle Manufacturers
When the accident occurred due to a vehicle malfunction, the manufacturer can be held responsible for the crash.
For example, a driver could lose control of the car when the brakes give out. In this situation, the driver may not be liable, and the injured person must seek compensation from the manufacturer.
Comparative Negligence
In a pure comparative negligence state, the injured party can collect damages even if they are partially at fault for the parking lot accident in San Bernardino.
For example, a driver may pull out of a space and hit a speeding vehicle. The court may decide that the first driver is 80% responsible while the second is 20% responsible. This way, the first driver can only recover 20% of damages while the second is entitled to 80%.
Consult an Attorney about Parking Lot Accidents in San Bernardino
A parking lot accident can cause serious injuries that result in high medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and more. You need assistance from an experienced personal injury attorney to claim compensation for these expenses.
At Valero Law Group, our legal team has decades of combined experience with personal injury cases, including parking lot accidents in San Bernardino. To schedule a comprehensive consultation, contact us at any time.
