There may come a time when you’re involved in a parking lot accident. Depending on which parking lot you’re in, you may end up dealing with a number of complex issues.
To start with, you need to remember not to apologize or assume who is at fault for the crash. You also need to call 911 to have the police and any emergency help needed come to the scene.
Who’s at fault in a parking lot crash?
Generally speaking, the person who is going to be at fault for a collision between two or more vehicles in a parking lot crash is the individual who was backing out at the time of the collision. However, that won’t always be the case. Someone speeding down a lane who collides with another driver who had stopped to let someone back out may be at fault for a rear-end crash, or a speeding driver could be at fault for a pedestrian accident.
It is up to the authorities and the insurance companies involved to determine fault. To protect your own interests, remember not to apologize. An apology may make it seem as if you’re accepting responsibility, even if that was not the intention.
Who has the right-of-way in a parking lot?
In a parking lot, the person who is in the main lane going around the parking lot has priority. Those in lanes called feeder lanes, the lanes that cross the lot, have second priority. Then, those pulling out have least priority.
There are exceptions, though. For example, if the main lane has a stop sign and a feeder lane does not, then the feeder lane takes priority. If two cars back out at the same time, then they both could end up sharing liability.
What should you do if you’re hit in a parking lot?
If you’re hit in a parking lot, remember that you may have a claim against the other driver. Seek medical attention if you’re injured, and make sure to exchange insurance information. Don’t assume fault, and be ready to seek a claim after getting medical support.