With their close quarters and lack of visibility, parking lots can be hotspots for collisions. Even at slow speeds, drivers can fail to see another car and cause a crash.
Fortunately, our accident attorneys at Whetstone Perkins & Fulda can help with legal claims based on parking lot accidents in Columbia. No two collisions are the same, and our lawyers could listen to the details of your case, develop a strategy, and file a lawsuit on your behalf.
Causes and Injuries of Parking Lot Accidents
Parking lots are filled with cars squeezed into relatively tight spaces. Drivers often back up to get in and out of spots, sometimes without being able to see other vehicles coming up the aisle. Some people may speed through parking lots, increasing the risk of a fender-bender in such close quarters.
To protect against a wreck, you should proceed more cautiously than usual, watching for other vehicles and pedestrians and moving more slowly than you would on the road. But even with the most careful drivers, parking lot collisions can still occur and cause injuries.
A parking lot accident can lead to a range of injuries, including the following:
- Cuts and bruises
- Broken bones
- Whiplash
- Nerve damage
- Spinal cord damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
After a Columbia parking lot wreck, it is vital to get yourself checked out by a medical professional, even if you feel all right at first. Some injuries may take some time to become evident, and seeking treatment can help you document them as damages.
Proving Driver Negligence For a Claim
Parking lot accidents typically involve negligence, whether a motorist fails to see another or drives recklessly. Negligence is when one person’s unreasonable actions cause another’s injuries, regardless of intention.
For a successful claim, you must show that negligence took place. This requires proving four elements: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages. All drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles safely and to be aware of their surroundings. This duty is breached when they disregard others or drive poorly.
You must show that the other driver’s breach of duty caused the collision and your injuries. You will then express these injuries in court as legal damages, such as:
- Property damage
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
A dedicated attorney could help you build evidence from the scene of the accident, such as witness interviews and surveillance footage.
Winning Compensation In Your Case
South Carolina has a statute of limitations of only three years. If you do not make your claim before the three-year period ends, you will lose your legal right to sue.
In addition, if the court determines you were partially liable for your own injuries, pursuant to S.C. Code of Laws § 15-1-300, your compensation can be reduced in proportion to the amount of your fault. If you are proven to be more than 50 percent responsible for the crash, you could lose the ability to recover.
Navigating these rules to prove your claim can be challenging without having legal counsel on your side. A Columbia lawyer familiar with parking lot wrecks could ensure that your claim is filed on time and help prove the other party’s fault.
Work with Our Skilled Attorneys on Your Accident Claim
A parking lot collision might seem like a minor bump, but the cost of repairing a vehicle and treating injuries can be high. Rather than pursuing compensation on your own, enlist the help of a legal professional who understands the intricacies involved in these cases.
Our diligent lawyers at Whetstone Perkins & Fulda could help you with your claim for a parking lot accident in Columbia. We could stand by and guide you throughout the legal process. Connect with us today to speak with a reliable personal injury attorney about your case.
