Avoid Parking Lot Accidents This Holiday Season
The ascendance of Cyber Monday and other online shopping has left Black Friday and the rest of the holiday shopping season somewhat diminished. The traffic, the crowds, and the Thanksgiving hangover makes in-person holiday shopping a less appealing perspective than shopping from the comfort of your own home. But even diminished Black Friday crowds can still stretch the capacity of retail spaces to the breaking point. This is particularly true for parking lots. Impatient shoppers and crowded parking lots create unpredictable, dangerous circumstances for drivers and pedestrians alike. Despite their low average impact speeds and minimal damage to vehicles involved, parking lot accidents can still lead to serious injury. As you might expect from the DMV’s personal injury specialists, Malloy Law approaches parking lot accidents with the utmost seriousness. But before we can pursue maximum compensation on your behalf, it’s necessary to understand the quirks that make these accidents happen.
The Hidden Damage of Parking Lot Accidents
The “good” news regarding collisions in parking lots is that the automobiles involved will typically only sustain minor damage. A car’s market value will be impacted by dents and dings on the front and rear bumpers, but they usually won’t keep it off the road for very long. However, there is still a chance of injury even if an accident happens at a modest speed. The neck and soft tissue injuries that are all too common in these kinds of incidents are sometimes dismissed by insurance companies as “whiplash” in an effort to avoid paying reasonable settlements for damage sustained. In order to fully understand your injuries and determine the right amount of compensation to aid in your recuperation, a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer will collaborate with medical specialists.
The Long Shadow of Road Rage
A jam-packed parking lot can test the patience of a saint. Taking minutes that feel like decades to travel only a few meager yards in search of a space to leave your car is no one’s idea of a good time. In these circumstances, the decisions made by fellow motorists can drive spikes of emotion, resulting in a chain reaction of rash decision-making. This can lead to accidents, physical confrontation, and, in extreme cases, even criminal charges.
The simple fact of the matter is that you cannot control other people’s conduct. This is why we have a society of laws, to insulate ourselves from the malice, caprice, and short sightedness of our fellow man. But you can control your own conduct behind the wheel, and there is no excuse for losing control when we see the consequences of car accidents every single day here at Malloy Law. So please, for everyone’s sake, take a deep breath before you do something you’ll regret for years to come.
Steps to Take After a Parking Lot Accident
Dial 911: Obtain a police report, which is a written account of your collision created by an impartial third party.
Exchange Contact Information: Contact details and insurance information should be exchanged by all drivers involved in the collision.
Take Pictures: In the immediate aftermath of an accident, taking pictures of the situation “as-is” can be very helpful to the appropriate authorities.
Gather Witness Statements: The testimony of any witnesses who were there at the accident scene can be extremely useful. If they appear cooperative, get their names and contact information.
How Malloy Law Can Help
Malloy Law can assist you or a loved one if you’ve been hurt in a parking lot collision. Some of the DMV’s auto accident experts are part of our skilled team of personal injury lawyers. We actively represent our clients and use every resource at our disposal to achieve the outcomes you deserve. Our people-first, compassionate, personally tailored approach to the law has consistently produced positive outcomes. Don’t put off getting compensation for your lost income, medical expenses, and psychological distress; get in touch with Malloy Law right now, and let’s win your case.