Your Roadmap to Recovery After a Maryland Parking Lot Car Accident

When people think about car accidents, what might come to mind are multi-vehicle crashes on highways where someone was injured and a car was totaled. But car collisions can still happen without severe amount of damage. Many people may not realize parking lot accidents are common and can often result in serious injuries. For reasons like this and more, juggling the aftermath of a parking lot car accident can be confusing, and finding out who is at fault can be challenging.

Although cars travel at low speeds, parking lot accidents often happen due to the chaotic nature of many parking lots. Parking lots, like streets, have lanes and rules that drivers must follow. But sometimes, careless, and reckless drivers cause car wrecks with others because they are distracted, texting, talking on a phone, speeding, or driving aggressively. Drivers always need to use caution when maneuvering through a parking lot.

Determining who is at fault for a parking lot car collision is not always as easy as many people think. There are many different types of accidents that happen in parking lots, but in most cases, the driver who initiated the collision is often to blame. However, getting a driver to accept responsibility can be an uphill battle. And if you are not careful, you could end up losing out on the compensation you are entitled to under Maryland law. Because of this, many people look to a car accident personal injury lawyer for help after a parking lot car accident that results in injury.

How Do You Prove Who Is at Fault in a Maryland Parking Lot Car Crash?

Proving fault in a parking lot car crash involves demonstrating that the other driver ignored your right-of-way or was negligent in their actions. In other cases, you may need to prove that the parking lot owner did not take good care of the property. Some actions that could show negligence include:

• Not checking for pedestrians or other vehicles before backing up
• Failing to stop at stop signs or yield to pedestrians at crosswalks
• Speeding in the parking lot
• Property owners not providing enough lighting or fixing hazards
• Driving the wrong way down a lane or across the parking spaces

You need supporting evidence to prove that a driver engaged in these or other negligent actions. Some of the most common forms of proof in parking lot accidents are:

• Eyewitness testimony – There is a good chance other people in the parking lot witnessed the car crash. If this is the case, you should ask them for their contact information so your attorney can follow up to collect their statements.
• Security camera footage – Many parking lots have security cameras. Your attorney can request the footage of the car crash from the business that owns the cameras
• Physical evidence – There may be other physical evidence that can support your claim, such as skid marks, the positions of the vehicles, or a lack of lighting.

What Are Some Parking Lot Right-of-Way Procedures to Follow in Maryland?

Understanding right-of-way rules is essential for proving liability in a parking lot car accident. In Maryland, some of these procedures include:

• Pedestrians always have the right-of-way – Vehicles must always yield to pedestrians in a parking lot, even if the pedestrians are not in a crosswalk.
• Yield to vehicles in through lanes – Vehicles driving in the main lanes of parking lots have the right-of-way over those exiting parking spaces or at stop signs. A vehicle turning into a lane always has the right-of-way over a vehicle turning out of a lane.
• Obey all traffic signs – Stop signs, crosswalks, traffic arrows, and speed limits apply the same way in parking lots as on public roads. A driver that fails to obey traffic signs could be negligent.
• Be cautious when backing out – Drivers must check for pedestrians and other vehicles before backing out of a parking space. The driver who was backing out when the car collision occurred is typically at fault.

What Are Common Car Wrecks That Happen in Parking Lots?

Parking lot car wrecks can occur in various ways, often leading to disputes over who is responsible. Some of the most common types of car crashes in parking lots include:

• Pedestrian accidents – These collisions happen when a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, either because the driver fails to yield to a pedestrian or does not adequately check for them before backing up or turning.
• Head-on collisions – These accidents happen when two vehicles try to pass each other in narrow lanes, when a driver ignores right-of-way rules, or when a driver swerves into the path of another car.
• Rear-end collisions – The primary causes of rear-end collisions are distracted drivers and speeding. A distracted driver may not realize that the vehicle ahead of them stopped at a stop sign, for another car with the right-of-way, or for a pedestrian. Speeding drivers also have less time to react to a slowing or stopping vehicle ahead of them.
• Side-impact collisions – Also known as “T-bone” collisions, these occur when one car hits the side of another. These car accidents happen at intersections or when a vehicle backs out of a parking spot into the side of a car passing behind.

What Should You Do After a Maryland Parking Lot Car Accident?

If you were in a parking lot car accident in Maryland, taking the following steps can help protect your rights and make the claims process easier:

• Report the car accident to the police – Any time a car crash results in injury; you should report it to the police or local law enforcement. They will come out and create an accident report, which you may need when filing your claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
• Seek medical treatment – It is important to get medical care immediately after an auto accident to continue seeking ongoing treatment for your injuries that were sustained in the accident. This creates a paper trail of documenting your injuries and the treatments you received for them, which will support your claim for medical expenses.
• Document the accident scene – Take photos and videos of the car crash site, your injuries, vehicle damage, skid marks, and any relevant traffic signs. This crucial evidence can play a significant role in your claim.
• Collect witness information – Speak to anyone who witnessed the car collision and get their contact information.
• Notify your insurance company – Even if you are not at fault for the car wreck, it is a good idea to notify your insurance company just in case you need to file an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim later.
• Seek legal counsel – A Maryland car accident attorney can gather evidence, file your insurance or personal injury claim, negotiate with the insurance company, represent you at trial, and provide general legal advice throughout the process of your case.

Talk to One of Our Lawyers About Parking Lot Car Accidents in Maryland

Parking lot car accident claims can be complicated, especially when there is a question about who is at fault. Understanding how right-of-way rules, negligence, and the evidence you gather can impact your case is essential in Maryland.

If you suffered injuries in a parking lot car crash, contact the Law Offices of Larry B. Litt’s experienced car accident attorneys. During your initial consultation, our legal team will evaluate your case, review your legal options, and explain the insurance and personal injury claim processes.

The personal injury law firm of Larry B. Litt has been fighting for car accident victims’ rights for over four decades. Our attorneys have the experience, resources, and skills necessary to fight for justice and demand compensation for what you have suffered. We are cost-effective, responsive, and dedicated to making your concerns our priority. According to our clients, our legal team is “always easy to reach and extremely helpful” and our “knowledge of the law is priceless.” Reach out today to find out what our services can do for you. We are available 24/7/365. Call us now at 443-844-1528.