Being hit by a car while walking in a parking lot is a somewhat unique circumstance. Depending exactly where you are, things might seem very calm, almost as if you’re alone, or there may be a lot going on around you with cars moving in and out and drivers looking for parking spaces.
The fact is, it doesn’t really matter what’s going on in the parking lot where you happen to be. Being struck by a car as a pedestrian in a parking lot can lead to serious injuries. Weighing thousands of pounds, cars can cause severe injuries to your body, even when they’re moving slowly.
Who Is To Blame When You Are Hit By A Car In A Parking Lot
Most likely, if you were struck by a motor vehicle in a parking lot and can file a personal injury lawsuit, it’s going to be against the driver of the vehicle. Depending upon the exact circumstances though, you may also be able to bring charges against the municipality or property owner if at least part of the accident was caused by problems with the design of the parking lot itself. This is known as premises liability.
If the parking lot does not provide any sort of specific pedestrian walking space, or if there is improper lighting or signage, for example, these things could contribute to a premises liability claim in addition to a personal injury claim against the driver of the car.
What Should I Do If I’ve Been Hit By A Car In A Parking Lot
The first thing you should do is call 911 to make sure that both the police and an ambulance show up. You’ll want the police to fill out a report and you should be checked as soon as possible to see if you need any immediate medical attention. You can also file a report online.
If you are well enough to stand up and walk, you should document as much of the scene as you can by taking pictures. Take pictures of the car, the license plate, the area around you, the ground in the area where you were struck, any columns or other objects that could obstruct your view, etc.
You should also ask the driver for relevant documentation such as his or her license, insurance, and registration information. If they refuse to give you this information, the police will help obtain it for you.
After you’ve had your medical needs attended to, your next step should be to call a personal injury lawyer.
What Can A Personal Injury Lawyer Do For Me?
A personal injury attorney will be able to fully investigate your case and determine if you have a claim worth pursuing against the driver, the property owner, or both.
In many cases, it can be difficult to tell exactly who was at fault. The property owner will almost certainly say that he had nothing to do with the accident or your injuries. The driver will say that you walked out in front of or behind his car and there was no way that he could have seen you. Since there isn’t as much physical damage as with a regular two-car accident, it can be difficult to prove exactly what happened and who was at fault.
The main thing is that no matter who you file a claim against, they’re going to be backed by an insurance company that is going to have their own legal team fighting hard to deny the claim and make sure you don’t get anything.
We don’t believe that’s fair. We believe that if you are injured by the negligence of someone else, you deserve the compensation your entitled to by law, and we will fight for it. By trial or by settlement, we will make sure that you get the full and fair compensation to which you are entitled.
Speak To A Las Vegas Personal Injury Attorney
At Cap & Kudler, our team is ready to do whatever it takes to make sure that you get the best possible outcome for your case. We will guide you along the away and stand behind you to give you strength. Our goal is to take care of all the gal issues and allow you to do what’s important right now, get healthy, and get on with your life.
You can contact us online anytime or call our offices at 866-412-7166 to schedule an appointment. You’ll receive a free consultation where we’ll go over the details of your case, give you an honest case evaluation, and discuss exactly what we can do to help you.
