Parking lot accident cases can be confusing for accident victims. Determining who can be held liable is not always straightforward, and many parking lot accidents involve delivery trucks and other commercial vehicles making the question of liability even more complex. You may simple be seeking compensation from the other driver, but the owner of the parking lot may bear responsibility under premises liability if dangerous design or other parking lot defects caused or contributed to your accident. An experienced motor vehicle accident attorney can help. Talk to the Cole Law Office today to learn more.
Premises Liability
If parking lot defects caused or contributed to your accident, the property or business owner may be held responsibility under premises liability. Parking lot defects include:
- Dangerous parking lot design
- Potholes and other damage
- Missing or obscured signs or striping
- Inadequate lighting
Delivery Trucks and Other Commercial Vehicles
Parking lots accidents may involve delivery trucks, snowplows or other commercial vehicles. When this happens, liability often falls on the driver’s employer. These cases can be very complicated and can pit you against large corporations and their insurance companies. There may or may not be involvement with the business or establishment that the parking lot belongs to. You auto accident attorney can determine who can be held liable and why.
Driver vs Driver
Even in accidents that do not involve parking lot defects or commercial vehicles, determining fault can be difficult due to the nature of parking lots. People behave differently in parking lots, sometimes very aggressively, trying to beat each other to coveted spots.
In backing accidents, the driver who backed into the other is usually to blame, but when both drivers were backing out of spots, it can be difficult to determine who caused the accident.
In accidents involving a parked vehicle, the driver of the moving vehicle is usually to blame, but not always. Those who park improperly can sometimes be held liable. People in parked cars who suddenly open their door into the path of traffic can also be held liable.
If you were injured in a New Hampshire or Vermont parking lot accident, The Cole Law Office can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (800) 909-LAWS (5297) or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.