Denver parking lot injury attorneys understand that being involved in a parking lot accident can be a traumatic and confusing time. In addition, the process afterward can prove to be stressful, and sometimes medical expenses can be steep.
In the event of a typical car accident, drivers usually know to follow critical steps. These steps would involve exchanging information, taking photos of any damage, and getting the police involved to file an accident report. But after a parking lot incident occurs, the following steps to take may not be as clear or straightforward.
People involved in a parking lot accident may believe they have no recourse since parking lots are private property. Denver parking lot injury attorneys are here to defend your rights and help you claim the compensation you may be entitled to after a parking lot accident. As long as you are within Denver’s three-year statute of limitations, you have the right to file a claim and potentially seek compensatory fees for your injuries or losses. Denver parking lot injury attorneys are determined to help you claim your rightful compensation.
Exchanging Information
Because parking lots are private property, the process after an accident follows a slightly different protocol than a standard accident. Rather than calling the police, it is up to the parties involved in the accident to exchange information and resolve the issue.
After a parking lot accident, the first important step is to exchange information with all parties involved in the collision. As a general rule of thumb, local law enforcement will not respond to minor traffic accidents within parking lots. Since parking lots are considered private property, the typical regulations of the road do not apply. (If there is an argument or altercation after the accident, the drivers should immediately contact the police.)
Suppose a person is non-compliant or refuses to exchange contact and insurance information. In that case, they are likely trying to avoid the situation because they do not have insurance or a valid driver’s license. In such cases, it could be much more challenging to settle the problem. It may then be necessary to file a claim against the driver at fault.
Determining Liability in a Parking Lot Accident
If you have sustained injuries in a parking lot accident, you will want to determine who exactly is at fault. This holds especially true if law enforcement does not get involved in the situation or doesn’t promptly arrive on the scene. In cases where no police incident report was filed, the burden of proof will generally fall on insurance companies to determine who is at fault for the accident.
Several factors can be considered when trying to determine who or what may have caused a collision.
Take, for example, a situation wherein a person backs their vehicle into another. The insurance company will claim that the driver is at fault, even if the driver hit an illegally parked car.
It is also essential to assess where on the vehicle the impact occurred to determine precisely how the accident happened. For example, if you are backing out of a parking spot and another driver hits your car, you may not be at fault.
After a parking lot accident happens, it is vital to gather as much information about the situation as possible. Take photographs of the damage, exchange information, and get testimony from any witnesses nearby. This can be crucial in determining who is at fault for the incident and providing insight into your case’s facts. In some instances, you may even be able to obtain camera footage from business owners.
All of this information can be helpful when filing a claim with an insurance company and when seeking to recover damages in court. If the driver at fault does not have insurance, your best option may be to file a personal injury claim.
As you can see, parking lot accidents can pose precarious circumstances for the parties involved, even more so if anyone has been injured.
Denver parking lot injury attorneys know the Colorado law. They can help you focus on recovering and moving forward with your life after an accident.
Is Colorado a Comparative Negligence State?
After an accident happens, a defendant may claim that you were “comparatively negligent”. Under Colorado’s comparative negligence, if you are found to be partially responsible for an accident, then any damage award you are allowed to collect would be reduced. For a plaintiff to recover damages in Colorado, their negligence must be deemed less than that of the defendant’s.
Injuries After a Parking Lot Accident
Police officers may not always respond to accidents in parking lots, but drivers still have a right to file police reports. If the police do not show up at the scene, the driver may go directly to the police station. Having documentation from a police report can help if the other driver or drivers do not have insurance.
Accidents are not exclusive to cars driving at high speeds – they can occur even when drivers are operating vehicles at slow speeds. And vehicle operators are not the only people susceptible to being involved in car accidents; cyclists and pedestrians also carry the potential danger of getting injured while in parking lots. Some types of injuries that could be a result of an accident that happens in a parking lot include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Nerve damage
- Broken or fractured bones
- Burns and lacerations or
- Neck injuries
If you suffered injuries because you were involved in a parking lot accident, a Denver parking lot injury attorney can help you get the maximum compensation you deserve.
It is not uncommon for Insurance companies to try to present you with little assistance or offer you minimal help to deflect any liability on their part. However, Denver parking lot injury attorneys can help to ensure you receive the total compensation for any damages and losses you may have undergone.
Parking Lot Accidents in Colorado
The National Safety Council reports tens of thousands of crashes in parking lots and parking garages. Unfortunately, these accidents result in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries.
Busy parking lots and parking garages during rush hour and the holidays are more prone to fender benders and collisions. In particular, accidents frequently happen in parking lots in or around:
- Airports
- Bars and breweries
- Downtown buildings
- Grocery stores and supermarkets
- Gyms
- Schools
- Shopping malls
It is important to understand the laws around liability and fault under Colorado’s law. Denver parking lot injury attorneys can assist you in planning your next steps if you get hurt.
Without a good quality lawyer, your cash settlement could be significantly less than what you deserve. Denver parking lot injury attorneys are qualified to get you the maximum compensation possible.
Parking Lot Driving Safety Tips
Did you know that one in every five motor vehicle incidents occur in a parking lot? Clearly then it is wise to maintain a few simple safety practices when you are driving, walking, or biking in a parking lot:
- Drive slowly and carefully. You will find a space and get to your destination. Check several times to ensure there are no cars or pedestrians behind you or headed in your direction.
- If you have a rear backup system or other technology, use it! We live in the day and age of technology. It can be tremendously helpful in assisting with safe driving and preventing accidents while backing up. Please pay attention to warning sounds that go off in your car, as they can indicate a vehicle, object, or pedestrian behind you.
- Beware of stray shopping carts. Try to avoid parking near a wandering cart that can potentially crash into your vehicle from a slight breeze of wind.
- Don’t park too close to another vehicle. If you struggle to fit your car into a given space, you should probably try to find a different spot. If it’s a particularly windy day, the wind could slam your door into the car beside you, which would put you at fault for the damage.
Contact a Parking Lot Injury Attorney in Denver, CO
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If you’ve been injured in a parking lot accident that was someone else’s fault, contact our Denver parking lot injury attorneys as soon as possible.
With a combination of a proven track record, impressive financial resources, esteemed legal reputation and a compassionate approach, we believe there is no better Denver parking lot injury attorney team than us.
