Kansas City Parking Lot Accidents

Kansas City Parking Lot Accidents

Kansas City parking lot and parking garage accidents usually happen at lower speeds than accidents on highways and local roads. However, serious injuries may still occur, and it is essential to know how these accidents happen, who is at fault, and what you need to do to protect your recovery.

Common Causes of Parking Lot Crashes

Parking lots are busy and often crowded places. People are walking to and from their vehicles. Drivers are competing for parking spots, maneuvering in and out of tight spaces, or trying to make their way to the exit. Accidents often happen because drivers are:

  • Distracted. They may be thinking about everything on their to-do lists, talking on the phone, responding to a text, grabbing a snack, tending to a child, or doing something else that takes their eyes off of the road, hands off the steering wheel, or minds off of safe driving.
  • Drowsy. People may be in parking lots after a long shift at work, while they are running errands after work, or while they are out late into the evening.  A tired driver could cause a parking lot crash.
  • Drunk. You have no way of knowing whether a driver is intoxicated. It can happen anytime and anywhere. However, the risk may be greater in parking lots of restaurants, bars, and hotels.
  • Reckless.  A driver may be rushing to beat another driver into a parking space, or trying to pass a moving car when there isn't room to do so safely. Any reckless moving can result in a dangerous parking lot wreck.
  • Inexperienced. New drivers may not be able to navigate all of the risks in parking lots and garages.
  • Older or not well. Advanced age and some medical problems may make it more difficult to see all of the parking lot's possible dangers and effectively avoid them.

A  driver who causes an accident for one of these reasons, or who is otherwise negligent, is at fault for the parking lot crash.

How to Determine Fault After a Parking Lot Crash

Before you can recover damages, you need to convince the insurance company or court that someone else's negligence caused the accident. You may begin gathering evidence and protecting your rights at the scene of the parking lot crash by:

  • Informing security of the accident. Some parking lots have their own security team. You can notify security of the accident and complete an incident report.
  • Calling the police. If anyone is hurt or there is significant property damage, you should call the police for help.
  • Gather witness information. Parking lots and garages are typically busy places. People who were not directly involved in the accident may have witnessed what happened.
  • Exchange contact information with everyone else involved in the accident. Make sure to get names, addresses, phone numbers, and applicable insurance information.
  • Take pictures. Document the scene by taking as many photos as you can from different angles.
  • Request video footage. Security cameras monitor many parking lots. These videos may have recorded your accident and may provide critical evidence for your case. You should request that all surveillance camera footage be saved and not erased or destroyed as soon as possible after the crash.

Together, all of this evidence may prove who was liable for your parking lot accident.

Now Is the Time to Contact a Kansas City Car Crash Attorney

An experienced lawyer will investigate your parking lot accident case and help you protect your rights and potential car accident compensation. Our legal team will thoroughly investigate your claim and help you recover any past and future medical expenses, lost income, out-of-pocket costs, pain, suffering, and property damage that Kansas or Missouri law allows you to receive.

Please contact our Kansas City car accident attorneys today to schedule your free, no-obligation case evaluation.

Related Links:

  • How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Personal Injury Lawsuit in Kansas City?
  • What Happens if I'm Partially at Fault for the Car Accident That Caused My Injuries?
  • 7 Crucial Steps to Follow After a Car Accident