What Common Factors Lead to Collisions in Parking Lots?

What common factors lead to collisions in parking lots? The common factors that lead to collisions in parking lots include distracted driving, speeding, poor visibility, failure to yield, and inclement weather conditions. 

A Rhode Island car accident lawyer can provide additional insights into these and other factors that contribute to collisions in parking lots.

How Distracted Driving Can Lead to a Parking Lot Collision 

Distracted driving is perhaps the top factor that can lead to a collision in a parking lot. A motorist could look down at their cell phone or get distracted by a pedestrian or noise. If this happens, the driver’s focus shifts away from traveling safely. The motorist could be involved in an accident and held responsible for it. 

Unfortunately, many distracted driving accidents happen in parking lots. Motorists can suffer whiplash and other injuries during these incidents. The driver who got distracted may have to cover the losses of all parties involved. 

Gemma Law is a Rhode Island personal injury law firm that has served thousands of clients. We can teach you about distracted driving in Rhode Island. If a distracted driver’s actions led to a collision in your parking lot, we can help you obtain compensation from the liable motorist. Schedule a free case consultation with us. 

A Look at Speeding as a Factor That Can Lead to a Collision in a Parking Lot

It may be easy to understand why speeding is one of the common factors that can lead to crashes in parking lots. Generally, the speed limit in a parking lot is 5 to 10 mph. Regardless, motorists sometimes ignore the speed limit. If a driver is backing out while another motorist is traveling at a speed that is too fast, a collision is likely. 

Consult with a Rhode Island personal injury lawyer if you are involved in a parking lot collision and believe speeding may have been a factor in it. Your lawyer could use a police report detailing your crash as evidence in a case against a speeding motorist. They may utilize surveillance camera footage to show that the motorist was speeding at the time of your crash. 

There are times when distracted driving and speeding, both of which are common factors leading to collisions in parking lots, result in an accident in which both drivers are partly liable. For example, one driver is speeding while another is not paying attention while driving. The motorists can get into a crash, and each could be partially at fault.

How a Lack of Visibility Can Lead to a Parking Lot Crash

Poor visibility can be a problem in parking lots. If there is not enough lighting, a driver can get into an accident. As this motorist considers the common factors resulting in collisions in parking lots, it is important to note that they may not be liable for the crash. 

It is reasonable to expect a property owner to ensure that their premises are safe. If the owner of a parking lot does not maintain their space, poor visibility can be a problem for motorists who park their cars there. If a driver crashes their vehicle into another, the owner may be held accountable for all associated losses. 

A Rhode Island premises liability lawyer offers legal advice and guidance to those involved in parking lot collisions that occur due to a lack of visibility. They look at the facts of an accident and whether a property owner could be considered negligent. Depending on the circumstances of the incident, they may help accident victims recover damages from a liable property owner. 

When Failure to Yield Can Cause a Parking Lot Collision

A driver enters or exits a parking lot and chooses not to yield the right-of-way. This can lead to a collision. The motorist who had the right of way could hold the other driver accountable for damage to their car and other accident losses. 

Of course, determining who has the right of way can be challenging in a parking lot accident case. If you get into a parking lot collision, it may be best to talk to a personal injury lawyer within days of the incident. Your attorney can evaluate your case and let you know if a lawsuit may be warranted. 

Pure comparative negligence applies to Rhode Island personal injury cases, including those involving parking lot collisions. If it is unclear who had the right of way in a parking lot crash, both drivers could share responsibility for the incident. In this scenario, partial damages could be awarded to the plaintiff in a parking lot accident lawsuit. 

The Role of the Weather in Parking Lot Crashes

Snow, sleet, rain, and other inclement weather conditions impact parking lots in Rhode Island. If roads are slick and a driver is not careful, this motorist can slam their car into another in a parking lot. This motorist, the owner of the parking lot, or both could be held accountable. 

The weather is not an excuse for a parking lot collision. It is reasonable to expect a motorist to account for adverse weather conditions when driving. In the same way, a parking lot owner must keep their premises free of hazards. If wet or icy conditions lead to an accident, this owner may be liable. 

A Rhode Island auto accident attorney may consider the weather as they try to figure out who is at fault for a parking lot collision. They also account for how a liable party could use the weather in their efforts to avoid having to cover an auto crash victim’s losses. By doing so, they can prepare an argument that helps the plaintiff prove that they should be compensated fairly. 

Take Legal Action Against the Party Responsible for a Parking Lot Collision

At Gemma Law, we know how challenging it can be to prove someone is liable for a parking lot collision. We can teach you about the factors that can lead to a collision in a parking lot and whether you can sue a party for your crash-related losses. Contact us today for more information.