What To Do In A Parking Lot Accident

By Ashley Jones


Parking lot accidents happen. Every once and a while you bump into another car while you are shopping or running errands. It can seem like these accidents are no big deal or like they are an extra huge hassle. Instead, you should try and remember that parking lot accidents are just like any other car wreck and when one happens to you, it's important to take the same steps you would in a regular car accident. Parking lot accidents often go unreported because they seem like no big deal, that can leave you with expensive car repairs and major headaches later though.

If you are in a parking lot accident it can often be hard to know who is at fault " in other words, who caused the accident. Parking lot rules are not as well known on the roads as usual road rules, these are some of the most common rules that you should keep in mind when driving in a parking lot to avoid accidents.

1. If you are driving in a thoroughfare " this means the lane of a parking lot that exits onto the main road " then you always have the right of way. The driver in the feeder" lane, that is the lane that is in the parking lot, running throughout it, not leading out onto the main road has to yield to a driver in the thoroughfare lane. This means that you are responsible to wait for people who are in the major lane to exit or drive by before you can pull out into it. And if you hit someone pulling out into traffic when you don't have the right of way, you are responsible for the accident.

2. Drivers who are in parking spaces are responsible to yield to other traffic. This means that whether you are pulling in or out of a parking space, you should check your surroundings carefully to make sure there is no other traffic.

3. When you are in a parking lot and you run into a parked car, you are at fault in that wreck. Any car that is legally parked in the parking lot is not responsible for your driving. If the car is parked wrong " in an illegal way or sticking out into the lane " they might be held responsible. Take a picture of the car if you hit one and think it is in the wrong.

4. The rules of the parking lot are the rules that you are responsible to follow while you are in that parking lot. Check for posted signs and for any other regulations in the parking lot to make sure that you avoid any trouble in the lot.

5. If a car door opens in a parking lot lane while you are driving down it and you run into it, contrary to common sense, the person who opened the door, not the person who hits the door, is responsible for the collision. This means that you should be extra careful when opening your car door to avoid any costly repairs.

What should you do after a parking lot accident?

A parking lot accident should be handled the same as any other accident. Any accident with over $1,000 in damage should still be reported to the police. Some people choose to pay for the accident out of their pocket without informing their insurance company, but this approach can backfire. Your insurance company is within their right to cancel your insurance policy if you fail to report and accident. In addition, if you have a cancelled policy on your record, it makes it much more difficult to find affordable insurance at another company. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Most people drive in parking lots almost every day. Now you know some of the rules of parking lots and can start driving safer and more aware while you are in them and doing all you can to avoid a wreck during your daily errands and commute. Yield where appropriate and be courteous always, this will keep your parking lot driving safe and simple.




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