Even though cars in parking lots typically travel at low speeds, car accidents occur quite frequently in parking lots. This is due to the fact that although cars are typically driving slowly, parking lots are full of activity. There are usually pedestrians walking through parking lots. They walk behind cars, in front of cars and in between cars. In some cases there are shopping carts in parking lots that are not always corralled. Cars in parking lots often back up and have to maneuver in small spaces. The result of so much activity in a small area leads to accidents. Even at slow speeds such accidents can cause both significant property damage and serious injuries. A victim of such a parking lot car accident may suffer a serious injury such as a brain injury, contusions, broken bones, internal injuries, amputations, paralysis, or spinal cord injury. However, New York law gives victims of car accidents as well as victims of other types of personal injury such as medical malpractice the right to seek compensation for their losses. If you are in need of a New York Injury Lawyer because you or a family member was injured in a parking lot accident caused by another person's negligence, it is important to contact an experienced Queens Parking Lot Accidents Lawyer who will help ensure that the person responsible for your losses is held accountable.
Causes of Parking Lot AccidentsBacking out of space. Safely backing out of a parking space takes skill. Not only does it take skill, if requires the driver to be make sure that the coast is clear. If the driver that backing up does not make sure that the coast is clear before fully backing out and as a result hits you or your car, then that driver would have been negligent.
Pulling forward out of a space. Accidents also occur in a parking lot when a car pulls forward out of a space. The driver must make sure that the parking lot lane is clear before pulling out. Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law the car that is already traveling straight down the parking lot lane has the right of way. This means that the car pulling out of a space must yield. When a car does not yield, side collisions occur.
Rear-end collisions. In crowded parking lots where drivers are hunting for spaces, it is not surprising that rear-end collisions occur. Just like when traveling on a roadway, under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law section 1129, drivers are prohibited from following another vehicle "more closely than is reasonable and prudent." If a driver does so and ends up rear-ending another vehicle, then the driver that rear-ended another vehicle would be responsible for the collision.
Pedestrian accidents. Some parking lot accidents involve a vehicle hitting a pedestrian. When a pedestrian is struck by vehicle, even if the vehicle is moving at a very slow rate of speed. Ana example as to how this could happen is as follows. A car operated by 34-year-old Kerry Hill was slowly backing from a parking space when it struck and killed 79 -year-old Marlene Grayson who was on foot returning to her vehicle after putting away her shopping cart. After striking Grayson, Hill's car continued to back up until she hit a parked car, pinning Grayson to the ground between the vehicles.
Consequences of Parking Lot AccidentsWhether the victim is a pedestrian or in a vehicle, victims injured in parking lot accidents sometimes suffer a variety of serious injuries. Common injuries include back injuries, head trauma, broken bones, and neck injuries. Such injuries typically require expensive treatment and extended recovery time. As a result victims miss work, losing a significant amount of income. In other cases victims suffer permanent injuries so that they are not able to return to work at all. In the most serious cases victims do not survive. Through a personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death lawsuit victims or their family members may be able to recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, as well as pain and suffering.
Queens Parking Lot Accidents LawyerIf you or a loved one was injured in a parking lot accident, New York law allows you to seek compensation from the person whose negligence caused the injuries. In order to ensure that your rights are protected, it is important to you contact an attorney with experience. The staff at Stephen Bilkis and Associates has extensive experience representing clients injured in SUV rollover accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, and other types of vehicle accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your car accident.