Parking Lot Accidents
Although we don’t think of parking lots as being particularly dangerous locations since the vehicles are traveling at a lower speed, serious accidents do occur.
If the collision or resulting injuries were caused by the negligence of the owner of the parking lot, then the owner may be liable for injuries to people in or near the parking lot.
In this article, we will explore a variety of different kinds of accidents that can occur in a location that multiple automobiles use for parking. Even relatively low-speed collisions can cause highly serious injuries. Also, people may also be harmed by other dangers upon exiting their vehicles after parking.
Atlanta Parking Garage Accidents Lawyer
If you sustained severe injuries or your loved one was killed in any kind of an accident at a parking lot in Georgia, you should immediately seek legal representation. The Balams Firm helps clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout the greater Atlanta metro area, including communities in Clayton County, Cobb County, DeKalb County, Fulton County, and Gwinnett County.
For a parking lot accident in Atlanta, call attorney ReShea Balams. She works tirelessly to get the people she represents every last dollar that need and deserve. You can have her review your case and discuss your legal options with you by calling (404) 445-2005 today to take advantage of a completely free initial consultation.
Information Center for Parking Lot Injury Cases in Georgia
- What kinds of accidents happen in parking garages?
- Who is usually liable for these incidents?
- What are some of the most common injuries that victims suffer?
- Are there certain things a person should do after being involved in one of these accidents?
- Where can I find more information about these types of incidents?
Types of Parking Garage Accidents in Fulton County, GA
Parking lot collisions are generally the result of one driver’s momentary inattention. Every case is different, and some motorists may have driven in an especially reckless manner.
A few of the most common causes of these kinds of accidents include, but are not limited to:
- Dangerous lot or garage conditions;
- DUI or Drunk driving in a parking lot;
- Distracted driving;
- Failure to yield right-of-way;
- Improper or inadequate signage; or
- Reckless driving.
Collisions in parking facilities are not limited to involving just vehicles. Occasionally, a person will be struck by an automobile or suffer injuries in some other type of accident in a parking garage.
Many of the same causes of vehicle-related accidents are also causes of pedestrian-related injuries. Additional causes may include, but are not limited to:
- Property owner’s failure to maintain premises;
- Inattentive drivers;
- Unsafe stairs or walkways; or
- Other dangerous lot or garage conditions.
Who is At Fault in Atlanta Parking Lot Accidents
Generally, a collision in a parking garage is going to be the fault of one of the drivers involved. The good news is that many modern parking facilities are monitored 24 hours a day by security cameras.
Any tape of the incident typically helps establish which party was negligent if this is in dispute. The negligent driver’s insurance company will then be responsible for compensating any injured parties.
If a person is hurt because of the parking lot was dangerous, then the property owner can be liable for any damages. In any event, it is in a victim’s best interest to retain legal counsel as soon as possible for help identifying all liable parties and ensuring any insurance companies provide adequate compensation.
Parking Garage Accident Injuries in Georgia
Some parking lot collisions result in little more than dented fenders. While these crashes may only cause damage to vehicles, many other accidents lead to potentially catastrophic injuries that can prevent victims from returning to work and providing for their families.
Some of the most serious incidents in parking facilities may result in such injuries as:
- Broken bones;
- Internal organ injuries;
- Neck injuries;
- Severe fractures;
- Soft tissue injuries;
- Spinal cord injuries;
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs); or
- Wrongful death.
What to Do After a Fulton County Parking Lot Accident
If you are ever involved in any kind of an accident in a parking facility in Georgia, there are certain steps you will want to be sure to take in order to help you obtain compensation for any property damage, medical expenses, or lost wages. Try to keep these suggestions in mind:
- Make sure nobody is injured. If you or another person may be hurt, immediately call for an ambulance.
- Move your vehicle. Unless your automobile is inoperable as a result of the collision, make sure to get it out of the way of any vehicles that may be passing through.
- Call the police. You will want to be sure to file a police report so there is an official record of the accident. When speaking to law enforcement, limit your statements to just the facts. If the officer does not believe a report needs to be filed, be sure to get his or her name and badge number.
- Exchange information with the other driver(s). Keep this civil and do not worry about sorting out who is to blame at this stage.
- Take pictures. Make sure to use your cell phone or any other camera to photograph all damage to vehicles, any injuries victims suffered, and the scene of the collision from multiple angles. Get as many pictures as possible.
- Get contact information of any witnesses. If anybody who was not directly involved in the accident saw the collision, be sure to record their names and phone numbers.
- Report the accident to your insurance company. Again, limit your statements to just the facts. You only want to notify your insurance provider that you were involved in an accident, but you should try to decline providing any recorded statement.
- Take notes. Memories are not as reliable as many of us would like to believe. This makes it imperative for accident victims to write down as much as they remember as soon as possible for accurate recollection later on.
- Contact an Atlanta parking garage accident lawyer. An attorney can advise you on the best way to proceed with any personal injury claims and also represent you in conversations with insurance companies.
Atlanta Parking Garage Accident Resources
Georgia Uniform Vehicle Accident Report — Police officers must follow certain procedures when writing up their accident reports. These reports can be remarkably confusing to the average person. This is the official instruction guide issued by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). In it, you will learn how accident reports are submitted, find information used in fatal accidents, and some of the common errors that occur in coding.
Georgia Department of TransportationOne Georgia Center
600 West Peachtree Northwest
Atlanta, GA 30308
(404) 631-1990
Fatalities and Injuries in Motor Vehicle Backing Crashes — Data regarding “backing crashes”—accidents in which drivers reverse into and injure or kill nonoccupants in public or nonpublic driveways or parking lots—was not routinely collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The agency compiled information and prepared this report to Congress after the federal legislature required the Secretary of Transportation to examine fatalities and injuries in backing crashes.
Backovers – KidsAndCars.org — Children are especially at risk when drivers are backing up and cannot see what is behind them. This website has a heartbreaking section of victim stories, but it also has a fact sheet, safety tips, and multiple charts, statistics, and graphics.
The Balams Firm | Find a Parking Lot Accident Lawyer in the Atlanta Area
Did you sustain serious injuries or was your loved one killed in an accident at a parking facility? If the incident was the result of another party’s negligence, then you could be entitled to compensation for the damages you suffered.
ReShea Balams is an attorney for parking lot accidents in Atlanta who fights on behalf of clients. She represents clients throughout the greater Atlanta area including Alpharetta, College Park, Decatur, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Point, Forest Park, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Riverdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, and Smyrna. She represents clients on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay if you obtain a financial award.
The Balams Firm helps victims who may have car accident or premises liability claims stemming from accidents in parking facilities. You can receive a complete evaluation of your case as soon as you call (404) 445-2005 to schedule a free, confidential consultation.
