Parking lots in California are often just as busy as the boulevards nearby. As busy and as dangerous. Drivers can ram other vehicles, doing major damage and causing injuries to those inside.
People also become pedestrians when they get out of their cars and head into stores, restaurants, their apartments, or even to walk a dog into a dog park. With no protection, those on foot are vulnerable to heavy, metal vehicles with drivers who aren’t paying attention as they look for parking or cut through a parking lot.
Victims can suffer major car body damage in a parking lot collision. They can also be left with major injuries in a pedestrian accident. Our legal guide topic will hopefully inform accident victims on how to handle a parking lot collision and how to get help after they’ve been injured.
Pictured: Pedestrians and Dogs Walking in Parking Lot at a Glendale Park
What To Do If You Are Struck By Someone in a California Parking Lot
Your priorities will obviously be different depending on whether you are hurt in a parking lot accident or if you simply suffer a dent or scratch to your car.
If you or someone else is hurt, the first priority will be safety. Get an ambulance and the police on the way before trying to collect any other information.
- Check yourself and anyone else involved for injuries. Call 911 and request paramedics if anyone is hurt. Go to the hospital if necessary. If you must leave the scene, ask someone with you or a helpful witness to gather details for you.
- If your car is damaged but no one was hurt, calling 911 may still be a good idea.
- If the other driver left the scene without providing information, you are the victim of a hit-and-run, and you should contact the police.
- If your accident only involves some paint and body damage, but no injuries, and the other driver sticks around, it’s still a good idea to contact the police. Even with minor damage, having an official record of what happened (a police accident report) means you have a much better chance of getting repairs to your car paid for. Another driver might provide you with driver’s license and insurance info, but that doesn’t mean it’s accurate. The other driver may accept fault at the scene, but later claim that it was your fault. An official record will be invaluable.
- Exchange information with the other driver. The investigating officer may also provide this information to you.
- Take photos of all damage. Even minor scratches to your car should be documented. Be sure to show the parking spaces or lanes where the collision occurred.
- Get contact information from anyone who saw what happened.
- Note the Position of Surveillance Cameras. If a lawyer handles your case, your attorney will be requesting any surveillance video that exists from local businesses that might show your accident.
- Contact Your Insurer. Alert your own car insurance provider as soon as possible. Let them know what happened. You don’t want the at-fault driver or the driver’s insurer to be the first to alert your insurance company.
- Contact a California Car Accident Lawyer. If you or a loved one suffers a serious injury in a parking lot collision, it’s a good idea to speak to a lawyer about your legal options. A broken bone or a neck or back injury will require more hospital care and create much higher bills. When costs rise, insurers work harder to avoid financial liability. They’ll try to blame you for what happened or question how badly you were hurt. Your attorney can protect you from false accusations and often help you secure more in a settlement check than you could win by handling your case yourself.
Do I Need to Report My Parking Lot Accident to The Police If No Officer Responds to the Scene?
WITHIN 24 HOURS: If an officer can’t respond to the scene of a serious accident, you’ll need to make a report on your own to the authorities.
You (or your insurance agent, broker, or legal representative) must make a written report to the police or California Highway Patrol (CHP) within 24 hours of the collision if someone is killed or injured.
More Information on Your Duties After a California Accident
How Do I Report My Parking Lot Accident to the California DMV?
WITHIN 10 DAYS: Reporting your accident to the DMV may be your next step. After a crash in California, you, your insurance agent, or your legal representative must report your accident to the DMV within 10 days if:
- More than $1,000 in damage was done to the property of any person.
- Anyone was injured (no matter how slightly) or killed.
No matter who was at fault, each driver must file this report with DMV using the Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California (SR 1) form. You can also call 1-800-777-0133 for more information. The CHP or police will not make this report for you.
What If I Damage a Car in a Parking Lot But Can’t Find An Owner?
You should do everything possible to find a car owner if you damage an unoccupied vehicle. If you can’t find the owner in nearby shops or restaurants, you’ll need to leave information behind.
- If you hit a parked vehicle or other property, leave a note with your name, phone number, and address in or securely attached to the vehicle or property you hit. Report the collision to the city police, or in unincorporated areas, to the CHP.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a parking lot accident injury claim in California?
Two years for an injury case and three years for property damage cases. You’ll have to file your injury claim before the deadline passes, or your case will probably be thrown out.
What if I can’t afford to pay a California car accident lawyer?
If you are injured and need a lawyer’s help with your case, you don’t have to worry about where to find the money to pay an attorney. Maison Law’s personal injury attorneys don’t accept any payment unless they win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the settlement money that a car insurance company is forced to provide.
What Type of Support Can My Car Accident Claim Ask For?
Your claim should secure whatever money you require to get your car fixed or the money to replace it. Every hospital bill you receive and may receive in the future should be covered. The physical pain you must endure and the emotional trauma a serious accident causes should add to the level of compensation. The time and money you lose while having to be away from work must be replaced. Families can also receive support through a wrongful death claim if a loved one is killed in a tragic parking lot accident.
Contact a California Car Accident Lawyer
After a pedestrian or vehicle accident, please rely on an experienced California car accident attorney to handle your case and protect your interests. Insurance companies aren’t required to tell you about every benefit available to you. When you aren’t informed of your rights, you can lose out on valuable resources and end up paying for some of your accident recovery costs out of pocket.
That should never be the case when you are put through such a traumatic accident through no fault of your own. Take advantage of a free case review with a real lawyer that comes with no obligation to you or your family.
