It’s easy to think of parking lot accidents as minor fender-benders involving no more than scratches or small dents to one or two involved vehicles; however, parking lot accidents in Washington have serious or even deadly consequences more often than you might imagine. Parking lots are the most common place where car accidents occur and if you were injured in an accident, make sure to speak with an experienced Marysville car accident attorney for legal guidance. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries occur in parking lot accidents each year.
Why Do Parking Lot Accidents Happen?
Parking lots have many conditions that are conducive to accidents, including a large number of cars and trucks within a small area, often with many pedestrians present. The most common causes of Washington parking lot accidents include the following:
- Frequent reverses
- Driving too fast
- Distracted driving
- Inadequate signage
- Confusing parking lot design
- Inadequate lighting
- Poor maintenance
- Obstructions, such as curbs, dividers, and wheel stops
- Loose shopping carts
- Distracted pedestrians
- Overly crowded conditions
An NSC poll reveals that 66% of surveyed drivers admitted to using their phones while navigating parking lots to text, set a GPS, or check social media. Drivers also revealed other distracted driving behaviors in parking lots, such as grooming, applying makeup, and eating.
What Types of Injuries Happen In Washington Parking Lots?
Parking lot accidents range from mild to severe or catastrophic, with injuries occurring in pedestrian accidents, collisions between vehicles, and collisions between cars and obstacles. Common types of parking lot injuries in Washington include the following:
- Soft-tissue injuries (muscle, ligament, and tendon damage) to shoulders, knees, wrists, and elbows
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries, ranging from concussions to severe diffuse axonal injuries
- Lacerations and contusions (cuts, gashes, and bruises)
- Severe abrasions (road rash)
- Crush injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Traumatic amputations
- External head, facial, and dental injuries
Despite the low speeds at which most parking lot accidents in Washington occur, injuries are common due to the fact that many drivers have unbuckled their seatbelts when entering a parking lot or fail to fasten their seatbelts while pulling out of a parking space or parking lot.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Washington Parking Lot Injury Damages?
Determining the correct liable party to file an insurance claim against is a critical factor in recovering compensation for injury-related damages. When an individual or business fails to take reasonable actions to prevent an injury, they are liable for damages, which are typically paid through an insurance policy. Common liable parties in Washington parking lot accidents include negligent drivers, business managers, and property owners. Proving liability requires demonstrating that the at-fault party meets the following standards of liability:
- They owed a duty of reasonable care to the injury victim
- They breached this duty through negligence
- The breach of duty directly caused the injury
- The injury victim suffered damages from the injury
Damages in parking car accidents often include property damage, medical expenses, lost income, and compensation for pain and suffering. Often, additional compensation is available for future medical expenses and lost earnings, especially in cases of catastrophic injuries resulting in disability. If a parking lot accident in Washington ends in fatality, a wrongful death claim could recover compensation for a close surviving family member.
How Can a Washington Car Accident Lawyer Help?
Insurance companies commonly dispute parking lot accident claims, based on the low speed driving in parking lots or minor damage to a vehicle. Call a Marysville personal injury lawyer from Wells Trumbull for an experienced investigation, documentation of compelling evidence of liability, and a careful calculation of your damages to recover the full compensation available to you in your claim. Contact us today.