Much like driving on a road or highway, all drivers who are trying to enter a traffic lane in a parking lot must yield the right-of-way to those already in the lane.
Most parking lots will have arrows painted on the ground indicating the direction of travel, along with stop signs or other indicators. You must follow the same traffic rules as if you were on a street.
Suppose you are shopping at a large mall that has a road circling the entire parking lot that allows motorists to enter parking aisles at any time. If you’re attempting to enter the road from an aisle, you must wait until the way is clear before you turn. Drivers traveling on the road can turn into an aisle at their discretion.
Car accidents in this situation are actually rare. It’s when people are backing out, searching for a spot, or otherwise moving in a parking lot that problems arise.
Common Parking Lot Accident Situations
Driving in a parking lot presents different challenges than those on highways. You often have slow-moving vehicles concentrated in a smaller area, along with unpredictable events. Here are some common circumstances that lead to injury and property damage in parking lots:
- Backing out of a space and hitting your car’s front end because another driver was distracted by their cell phone
- Running into your car door while entering the space next to you because they were talking to a passenger
- Hitting a shopping cart and causing it to hit your vehicle
- Failing to drive slowly when pedestrians are crossing from the lot to businesses
- Disobeying yield and stop signs before entering a traffic lane
- Speeding and driving aggressively
- Failing to check all blind spots, mirrors, and onboard cameras before moving a vehicle
- Driving the wrong way on a narrow parking aisle, leading to a head-on or sideswipe collision
- Cutting through a parking lot to avoid a traffic light or a congested roadway, which is illegal under Texas law
These issues often multiply inside parking structures due to limited sight lines, inability to back up or exit due to congestion, and pedestrians gathering around elevators or stair access points. Garage entrances and exits can be challenging as drivers search for their keycards, prepare to take a ticket, or look for payment to leave. Finally, dim or inadequate lighting, especially in underground parking structures, can make it hard to see pedestrians and other vehicles in time to avoid a crash.
Your Rights as a Victim of a Parking Lot Accident
If you or a loved one is injured or has property damage from a parking lot collision, you have the right to collect evidence at the scene and pursue compensation. The state of Texas requires all drivers to carry liability insurance to pay for bodily injury and property damage they cause to others. You can file a claim against the at-fault driver’s policy for a minimum of $30,000 for injuries (up to $60,000 per accident) and $25,000 for vehicle repair.
You also have the right to negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company, since they may start with an offer that doesn’t meet your needs. You can also hire a car accident attorney to handle this process on your behalf and push for a better offer. If necessary, your lawyer may advise that you file a personal injury lawsuit to encourage a better settlement.
In the event the insurance provider won’t meet your demands, you can then proceed to court. At that point, you must demonstrate how they neglected their duty to drive safely and directly caused your injuries or damage. In a lawsuit, you can seek compensation for the full cost of your losses, including lost income, diminished quality of life, and other factors associated with your pain and suffering.
Contact a Parking Lot Accident Lawyer
Getting hurt in any car accident is upsetting and potentially life-changing. You could suffer traumatic brain injuries, back or spinal damage, or even lose a limb in severe circumstances. You don’t have to face the legal and insurance processes alone when you contact Liggett Law Group to speak with a Lubbock car accident lawyer.