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Parking lot accidents may seem minor initially, but they often result in significant damage, injuries, and complicated liability issues. An East Providence car accident lawyer can assist you in understanding your options in the aftermath of a car accident in a parking lot.
As a family-owned firm deeply rooted in our community, we pride ourselves on our personable approach. We ensure you speak directly with an attorney who understands your unique situation. Allow a Gemma Law Firm East Providence parking lot accident lawyer to guide you through your case.
Overview of Fault Determinations in Parking Lot Car Accidents
Determining fault when two vehicles crash in a parking lot can be tricky. Parking lots are private property, so the typical rules of the road may not strictly apply. There are rarely traffic lights or stop signs. Instead, drivers are expected to follow general safety norms and any posted signs.
For example, if one car was moving and the other was stationary, the driver of the moving vehicle is usually presumed to be at fault. Overall, the rule is that everyone in a parking lot has a duty of care; many different types of distracted driving may cause a driver to be liable in an accident.
Without official traffic signals, determining right-of-way in a parking lot can be murky. An East Providence personal injury lawyer can evaluate how the law applies to your case. Factors for consideration include determining who was moving and who failed to yield or stay alert.
For a free legal consultation with a parking lot accident lawyer serving East ProvidenceCall 401.467.2300
Pedestrian Liability in Parking Lot Accidents
Parking lot accidents often involve negligence—in other words, someone wasn’t as careful as they should have been. Both drivers and pedestrians must be cautious. For drivers, this means driving slowly, watching blind spots, and yielding to people on foot.
The law in Rhode Island clearly states that drivers are responsible for exercising caution around pedestrians, even if they walk carelessly. Therefore, a driver can be at fault for hitting a pedestrian in a parking lot, even if the pedestrian was not in a crosswalk or failed to pay full attention.
On the other hand, if a pedestrian darts out from between parked cars and a driver truly has no chance to stop, the pedestrian could be found negligent, too. People walking on foot are still responsible for acting reasonably. Sometimes, the fault is not black-and-white; both parties might share blame.
East Providence Parking Lot Accident Lawyer Near Me 401.467.2300
Common Causes of Parking Lot Accidents
Because multiple parties can be at fault in a parking lot accident, Rhode Island’s pure comparative negligence law plays a crucial role in these cases. This means each party’s share of fault for an accident is assessed, and a plaintiff’s damages are reduced in proportion to their percentage of fault.
- Vehicles Backing into Each Other: Fault typically splits equally because both drivers failed to verify clearance.
- Backing into Passing Vehicles: Both drivers may share fault, as each must check the surroundings before moving.
- Rear-End Collisions: The driver who hits another in the rear end is usually considered at fault for failing to keep a safe distance or brake in time.
- Pedestrian Collisions: Drivers usually hold full responsibility, as pedestrians have the right-of-way in parking lots.
- Poor Maintenance (Ice, Lighting, Exits): Property owners often hold primary responsibility, though drivers might share partial fault.
The goal in any accident claim – parking lot or roadway – is to prove that the other party was negligent and that their negligence was a proximate cause of your injuries. The unique setting of a parking lot just means factors like property safety and general responsibilities to yield may come into play.
Duties of the Property Owner
When we think of car accidents, we usually think of the drivers. However, another potential party may be liable in a parking lot: the property owner. Under Rhode Island premises liability laws, property owners have a duty to maintain their parking lots.
Typical parking lot hazards include absent lighting, faded or missing signage and pavement markings, potholes, broken pavement, lack of barriers, and uncleared snow or ice. For more information, visit our Safety Tips for Winter Driving in Rhode Island, where we experience harsh winter weather.
Property owners are obligated to fix or warn of any hazards. Suppose a property owner has failed to exercise reasonably prudent measures to remedy hazards that led to your injury. In that case, a parking lot accident attorney in East Providence will explore your options for a premises liability claim.
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Common Injuries in Parking Lot Accidents
While parking lot accidents rarely result in fatal injuries, that does not mean you will come out unscathed. Always seek medical attention after any parking lot accident because it can take hours or days for symptoms of injuries to onset. Common physical injuries include:
- Back and spinal injuries
- Concussions
- Head injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Broken bones
- Bruises
Both drivers and pedestrians may sustain these injuries when hit by a reckless driver in a car parking lot. Injuries from a parking lot accident can be debilitating. If a careless driver victimized you, a parking lot accident lawyer in East Providence can help you build your case and seek compensation.
Find an East Providence Parking Lot Accident Lawyer Who Will Fight for theCompensation You Deserve
Parking lot accident cases often involve multiple layers of law, but the right legal help will make your case navigable. Gemma Law Firm is ready to use our legal knowledge about parking lot accidents to help you. Our client case results show that we have recovered millions of dollars for our clients.
You should never have to foot the bill for someone else’s negligence. Not in the grocery store parking lot, not anywhere. At Gemma Law Firm, we know how to handle complex cases to maximize your recovery. Allow an experienced East Providence parking lot accident attorney to fight for your claim.
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