If you have been hit by a car while walking or driving through a parking lot, can you make a personal injury claim? Yes. Many people are concerned that accidents on private property are immune from personal injury claims. When negligence causes injuries, no matter where it happens, you can make a personal injury claim. Talk to an experienced Las Vegas parking lot accident lawyer. When negligence causes an injury, consult a Las Vegas personal injury attorney. Contact Us · (702) 410-6034 · No Recovery, No Fee.
Parking Lot Accidents are Common in Las Vegas
Parking lot car accidents happen frequently in the Las Vegas area. We encourage our clients to report parking lot car accidents. Even though the police cannot give anyone a ticket, they can investigate the accident and prepare a report. At Koch & Brim, our personal injury lawyers make claims for people injured in accidents on private property.
Pedestrian accidents
In parking lots, pedestrians and cars share the space. When car drivers do not exercise care in backing out of spaces, driving down lanes or making turns, pedestrians can get hurt. In nearly every case, the car driver is responsible for a Las Vegas pedestrian accident.
Car accidents
When drivers are looking for parking spaces or backing out of spaces, they often forget to look for other cars. While car collisions in parking lots happen at different speeds injuries can be serious.
Medical care
Anytime you are injured in an accident, get medical attention as soon as possible. If you do not have health insurance or if your doctor does not want to deal with accident injuries, please contact our law firm. We can help.
Personal injury claim
When you have been injured because of someone else’s negligence, you should be compensated for pain and suffering and for your medical care, expenses and any lost wages.
What Are The Most Common Parking Lot Accidents in Nevada?
- Hitting a vehicle while backing out of a parking space.
- Two cars backing out at the same time and clashing.
- Driving forward instead of backwards when pulling out of a space.
- Sudden stops without leaving the necessary buffer between vehicles.
- Hitting a parked car while trying to park.
What to Do After a Parking Lot Accident
If you get hurt in a parking lot accident, stay where you are and check for injuries. Call 911 to report the crash to the Las Vegas Police Department. Request paramedics, if needed, or go to the nearest hospital without delay for injury treatment. While you’re still at the scene, exchange information with the other driver or party involved. Don’t admit fault. Take pictures of the crash scene and your damaged vehicle. Contact your own car insurance company first to report the accident. Then, file a claim with the insurance provider of the at-fault driver. Be wary when speaking to insurance claims adjusters. Do not let them convince you to accept an inadequate or “lowball” settlement offer. Do not give them a recorded statement, either. Contact Koch & Brim, LLP for a free case evaluation before signing anything.
Liability in Parking Lot Accidents
Nevada is a fault-based car insurance state. This means when a parking lot accident occurs, the injured party has the right to file a claim against the at-fault driver; but first, liability or legal responsibility for the crash must be determined. Typically, liability for an automobile accident will go to the driver who violated a traffic law or roadway rule at the time of the collision. If one driver was speeding in a parking lot or failed to yield to a crossing pedestrian, for example, these offenses can serve as proof against the driver during a parking lot accident claim in Las Vegas. In some circumstances, it may be possible to hold a property owner liable for a parking lot accident, as well. If you were hurt in a casino parking lot, for example, the casino may bear liability for having an unsafe premises or a poorly designed/lit parking lot. An investigation by our lawyers at Koch & Brim, LLP can identify all liable parties in your claim.
What Evidence Can Be Used to Prove Fault?
Evidence is the center of any successful car accident claim in Nevada. Since fault must be established for an injured victim to recover insurance benefits, evidence is a necessity. Evidence can vary from case to case, but may include:
- A police accident report
- Statements from those involved
- Eyewitness accounts
- Photos from the crash scene
- Parking lot surveillance videos
- A driver’s cell phone records
- Citations against a driver for traffic violations
- Property damage analysis
- Accident reconstruction
- Testimony from experts
To win a car accident lawsuit in Nevada, there must be enough evidence to prove that the defendant or accused party is “more likely to be at fault than not.” This is known as a preponderance of the evidence.
Types of Damages You Can Recover
A parking lot accident has the potential to cause serious, catastrophic and life-changing injuries. The victim of a Las Vegas parking lot collision may suffer physically, emotionally and financially. While nothing can reverse these damages, a victim can get compensated for them with a successful car accident claim. Available compensation may include:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages and future capacity to earn
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment
- Permanent disfigurement or disability
If a parking lot collision takes a life, surviving family members may also be eligible for wrongful death damages. This type of claim can cover expenses such as funeral and burial costs. Discuss with our attorneys how much your parking lot case might be worth before accepting an insurance settlement.
How Can an Attorney Help?
Parking lot accidents may be simple in nature but open the door to serious consequences sometimes. If you’ve been injured, don’t neglect your injuries big or small and tend to them immediately while noting down all the circumstances when you can. If you or a loved one have suffered injuries due to a parking lot accident, contact our expert Las Vegas accident attorneys for a FREE case evaluation. We will help you get the compensation you deserve.