Parking Lot Accidents

Massachusetts Lawyer for Car Accident Victims

Parking lots can be busy, crowded, and chaotic places. This can lead to countless opportunities for injury accidents to take place, including pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, and motor vehicle accidents. Sometimes these accidents aren’t as clear cut as regular traffic accidents because there can be a dispute about who had the right-of-way, how the accident took place, and whether the other driver was operating his or her vehicle in a negligent manner. Although security cameras may provide helpful footage to show how the accident took place, not all parking lots have them. A compassionate and responsive Massachusetts car accident attorney at our firm can offer legal counsel to individuals throughout the state, and assist with a variety of personal injury matters including parking lot collisions. During this stressful time, you deserve knowledgeable legal representation that will ensure your rights are asserted to the fullest extent.

Parking Lot Accidents in Massachusetts

There are many different types of accidents that can happen in a parking lot, and they happen at a high rate due to the large volume of traffic that goes through most parking lots on a daily basis. The odds of an accident taking place increase with the traffic flow. After a concert or sporting event finishes, for example, the chances of an accident taking place are likely much higher than in the parking lot of a supermarket in the middle of the night. Regardless of the parking lot, however, it is important to always be vigilant and keep a lookout for other vehicles and pedestrians.

One of the most common ways that parking lot accidents can happen is when one vehicle is backing up and collides with another vehicle that was traveling down a lane of parking spaces. A careful driver knows to ensure that the way is clear before he or she begins reversing, but if the parking lot has poor visibility or if a larger vehicle is parked next to the reversing vehicle, then it may be difficult to see if the lane is clear. Pedestrians can also be struck by vehicles that are reversing without ensuring that the way is clear.

Another common type of accident takes place when one driver fails to adhere to the flow of traffic for a parking lot. Many parking lots have one-way lanes to help minimize congestion. Some drivers ignore clearly painted signs and drive the wrong way down a particular lane. This can lead to head-on collisions.

Pedestrians may also find themselves involved in an injury accident if a driver does not yield the right-of-way when a pedestrian is entering or leaving the store. Although there are usually crosswalks to designate areas where pedestrians can cross, some people ignore these completely and walk to the store entrance using the shortest path possible. Although the vehicle’s driver may argue that this is contributorily negligent on the part of the victim, drivers ultimately must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.

Bringing a Civil Lawsuit to Pursue Damages

If you were injured in a parking lot accident, you can bring a civil lawsuit against the person or persons who you believe are responsible for your injuries, and a dedicated car accident attorney can help. In the lawsuit, you will have to show that the defendant driver failed to use reasonable care and skill, similar to how a prudent and careful driver would have acted when facing the same situation. Camera footage, eyewitness testimony, and expert witness testimony can be critical pieces of evidence in establishing that the defendant violated this duty of care. You must also show that you would not have been injured but for the other driver’s negligent conduct. If you are successful in establishing that the defendant breached the duty of care and that it caused your injuries, you can collect damages for a variety of items like past and future estimated medical bills, lost wages, and reduced quality of life.

Knowledgeable Car Accident Lawyer Serving Massachusetts

We know how overwhelming the idea of a lawsuit can seem, particularly if you are also coping with painful injuries and other disruptions in your life. We offer a free consultation to discuss your situation and how an attorney at our firm may be able to assist you. We are available to serve clients in areas around Boston, Cambridge, Lowell, Waltham, Newton, Quincy, Dedham, Somerville, Norwood, Brookline, and Peabody. Contact our office today at  (800) 262-9200 or contact him online to get started.