It may come as a surprise, but one in five automobile accidents happen in parking lots. If 20% of car accidents take place in parking lots, some of these are bound to include parked cars. When your parked car is hit, there are some steps you should follow so that you receive compensation for your damages.
Contact a South Carolina car accident lawyer to advise you about your specific accident. We have experience with automobile accidents. Recovering damages can sometimes be tricky. We are here to help.
Causes of Accidents Involving Parked Cars
Parked cars are naturally often in parking lots. When people are driving in parking lots, they often fail to pay as close attention as they would if they were traveling on the road. Some of the reasons cars hit parked cars are because of the following reasons:
- Drivers are sometimes distracted. They may be buckling up and getting situated in the car while cranking up and backing out at the same time.
- Motorists programing their GPS while they are still in the parking lot is rather common. This can lead to inattentiveness while driving.
- Playing with telephones is one of the biggest distractions for drivers on the road and in parking lots. Many accidents happen because of those distractions.
- Driving backward may be the cause of accidents. In parking lots, garages, and areas where people leave their cars on the street, drivers must back up, which is when many parked car accidents take place.
Most people will admit to being a little less dialed into their surroundings when they are in a parking area than in traffic. This level of distractedness results in a surprising number of accidents with parked cars. If an absent-minded person hits your parked car, there are a few things to keep in mind.
What to Do When Your Parked Car Is Hit
When your parked car is hit, you have options to receive compensation for the damages you incurred, just as you would after any automobile accident that was not your fault. You may even have a tad more. Often, the damages and injuries in a parked car accident are not as severe as in a traffic accident with moving vehicles.
Steps to Take Immediately Following a Parked Car Accident
Ensure that your claim is protected and that you are compensated adequately. There are a few action steps you should follow after being involved in a parked car collision. These are listed below:
- Document the scene: Time-stamped and dated photographs from the scene are crucial to proving what happened in the accident. These might be damage to the car, injuries, other property damage, license plates, skid marks, or other clues to what happened.
- Report the accident: Call the police and let them know there was an accident. Parking lot accidents often require that you go to the police department to file the report.
- Get a copy of the accident report: You will want a copy of the police’s recording of what happened so you can file it with your insurance company.
- Obtain security video footage: So many places have security cameras for just this type of incident. Obtaining the footage promptly will ensure you have the evidence needed before it is erased or lost.
- Speak with witnesses: If you were there, speak to anyone else at the scene and take down their contact information. If you were not there when the accident occurred, ask around, someone may have seen something.
- Exchange contact information with the driver: If the driver did not leave the scene after hitting your car, take down their contact information. If the driver left the scene, they will often be charged with a hit-and-run.
- See a medical professional: If you were physically involved in the accident, see a doctor. Even if you do not believe that you were injured, symptoms can mask themselves, and you could find yourself in dire straits by waiting.
- Contact your insurance company: Your insurance company should be made aware of the accident as soon as possible. You may not have been responsible for the wreck, but they will need to be informed so they can help you take the proper measures to acquire compensation.
- Contact a qualified and experienced automobile accident attorney: To ensure you are compensated for your damages, you will need a skilled car accident lawyer to walk you through the process. Contact a legal professional at Shelly Leeke Law Firm for help navigating your settlement claim.
Proving liability can be tough. There is extensive paperwork It is helpful to have an experienced car accident attorney in South Carolina to guide you through the process.
Car Accident Attorneys Can Help
When a parked car accident happens, if the damage is only cosmetic and the driver admits fault, the insurance company might offer to settle with you right off. If this is the case, you may be able to get away without hiring an attorney. However, cases are rarely cut and dried.
You will want to contact an experienced lawyer if things are more complicated. This will ensure you secure maximum compensation for the losses you are entitled to. Some instances where an attorney is a must are listed below:
- An injury occurred: If you were injured, you would want to speak to a car accident lawyer immediately.
- At-Fault Driver Left: If the at-fault driver fled the scene, you have been involved in a hit-and-run. This means you need an attorney’s aid.
- Uninsured or underinsured driver: If the driver of the vehicle that hit your parked car is uninsured or has too little insurance to cover the damages, contact an attorney as soon as possible.
- If you are at fault or partially at fault for the accident: This could mean you were parked illegally or improperly. Call a lawyer to help you mitigate those damages.
- The insurance company disputes or denies your claim: If the insurance company of the at-fault driver denies your claim or tries to dispute it, you will need legal help to navigate the case.
Contact Shelly Leeke Law Firm Following Your Parked Car Accident
Contact Shelly Leeke Law Firm for legal representation to help you obtain the compensation you are entitled to after a parked car accident. We are available for a free consultation to discuss how we can help you. Speak to us today to discuss the details of your case.
