Car accidents in parking lots typically happen at low speeds. But that doesn’t mean they can’t cause substantial injuries and property damage. If you have injuries from a car accident in a parking lot or parking garage in Portland, contact the attorneys at Rizk Law.
Collisions in parking lots and garages differ from typical traffic accidents, as the design and layout of the structure itself can contribute to crashes. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to file a claim against any at-fault drivers and negligent property owners.
Our team is highly familiar with parking lot accident claims and understands how to establish liability in these cases. We can investigate your case and help you determine possible sources of financial compensation. Contact our offices today to speak to a Portland parking lot car accident lawyer.
How Our Portland Car Accident Lawyers Help After Parking Lot Collisions
After a serious injury, you probably don’t have the time or energy to deal with insurance claims and potential lawsuits. A Portland car accident attorney from Rizk Law can handle every part of your parking lot accident claim, from initial investigation to final negotiations. They can organize your medical documentation, investigate the accident scene for evidence, and calculate the extent of your losses. Most importantly, a personal injury lawyer can be your advocate and push for the maximum financial compensation if insurers try to minimize your injuries or shift blame.
Parking Lot and Garage Hazards
Parking lots are full of moving vehicles in tight spaces, so it’s no surprise they are hot spots for accidents. Here are some of the unique hazards parking lots and garages present.
Poor Lighting and Blind Spots
Insufficient lighting or blind spots can significantly reduce visibility and make accidents more likely. For instance, bad lighting can make it difficult for drivers to see oncoming traffic or parking space lines. Garage poles and other obstructions can also block sight lines, preventing drivers from seeing nearby hazards.
Tight Spaces and Confusing Layouts
Parking structures might have small spaces and unintuitive layouts that contribute to accidents. Confusing or missing signage can cause drivers to go in the wrong direction and collide with oncoming traffic. If a driver isn’t expecting it, avoiding a collision with someone pulling into a one-way lane going the wrong direction can be difficult. Multi-story car parks, in particular, can be difficult to navigate if they have multiple ramps for moving up and down between levels.
Distracted or Speeding Drivers
Negligent motorists are a significant source of parking lot accidents – particularly distracted and speeding drivers. Drivers may feel safe in parking lots and let their guard down, allowing distractions to take their attention. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), nearly two-thirds of drivers say they would use their phone in parking lots. Impatient drivers might also speed to beat others to parking spots or pass cars backing out of spots.
Pedestrian and Cyclist Risks
Drivers don’t only have to look for other motorists in a parking garage – they also have to watch for pedestrians and cyclists. Pedestrians and cyclists lack the cabin protection of motorists, so they are at risk of severe injury. Drivers may also collide with other cars by swerving to avoid pedestrians and cyclists who move into their path.
Snow, Rain, and Icy Conditions
Portland gets a lot of rain, particularly between October and May. Water can make parking lots and garages more treacherous to navigate. Puddles and pools of water can cause cars to hydroplane, and occasional ice or snow can cause drivers and pedestrians to lose traction.
Common Types of Collisions in Parking Lots and Garages
Many different types of accidents can happen in Portland’s parking lots and garages, including:
- Rear-end collisions when one driver stops or slows down and the following driver is distracted
- Backing-up accidents when a driver reverses without checking for other cars first
- Sideswipe collisions when drivers try to pass too closely in narrow lanes or spaces
- Failure-to-yield accidents when drivers don’t follow traffic signs or markings – or when those signs and markings are missing, confusing, or faded
- Pedestrian accidents when drivers don’t watch for people walking
Injuries That Can Result from Parking Lot and Garage Accidents
One of the most common types of injuries from parking lot accidents is whiplash. Many parking lot injuries come from rear-end accidents that can cause the front driver’s head to snap backward. The sudden motion puts stress on the neck and can damage the muscles, ligaments, and vertebrae in the neck and upper spine.
Other possible injuries from parking lot accidents include:
- Muscle strains and joint sprains
- Bruises and soft-tissue injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Scrapes and abrasions
- Fractures and broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Facial and eye injuries
- Airbag injuries
Steps to Take After a Parking Lot Accident in Portland
After a parking lot accident, the priority should be documenting the scene and gathering evidence. Take pictures and recordings of vehicle damage and your injuries. Also, get the other driver’s contact and insurance information.
It’s important not to delay seeking medical treatment. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that the insurance company will deny your claim. While at the doctor’s office, get copies of any relevant medical documentation, such as intake paperwork, imaging results, doctor’s notes, and discharge paperwork.
You should also contact a parking garage accident attorney in Portland. An attorney can guide you through the next steps of the claims process, manage communications with involved parties, and represent you in insurance negotiations.
Determining Liability in Parking Lot and Garage Accidents in Portland
Liability in a parking garage accident can be hard to determine because multiple cars are moving in many directions. However, it often comes down to right-of-way rules. In most cases, vehicles moving through the lanes of parking lots have the right of way. This means that parked cars must look and yield to passing cars. If two cars moving out of their spaces collide with one another, the first to move has the right of way. Violating right-of-way rules may constitute negligence, so drivers can be liable if they cause accidents and injuries.
You may also be able to hold the owner of the lot or garage liable for accidents. Lots and garages with dangerous designs, confusing signs, or inadequate lighting can contribute to car accident injuries. Facility owners can be liable for dangerous garage and lot conditions that they don’t address or fix. If multiple parties share liability for your injuries, you can pursue a claim against each to recover your losses.
Compensation for a Portland Parking Lot Injury Claim
While a Portland parking lot collision can leave you with distressing injuries and unmanageable bills, the law allows you to hold the at-fault party responsible. Compensation in a parking lot injury claim can include:
- Medical bills – A parking lot accident claim can cover your existing medical bills and the cost of necessary future medical expenses.
- Lost work income – Your claim can replace money from missing hourly pay, salary, bonuses, tips, commissions, and other employment compensation.
- Reduced earning capacity – If your injuries require you to switch to a lower-paying job or stop working entirely, your claim can compensate you for your reduced lifetime earning potential.
- Out-of-pocket injury costs – Personal injury claims can also pay for miscellaneous injury-related costs, such as home or vehicle modifications and increased childcare expenses.
- Pain and suffering – You may receive compensation for your physical pain and conscious suffering after an injury in a car accident claim in Portland.
- Emotional distress – Emotional distress from physical injuries and trauma can lead to mental conditions like depression or anxiety.
- Loss of life enjoyment – You may feel a loss of quality of life if disability or impairment prevents you from doing hobbies you enjoy.
When you hire a Portland personal injury attorney from Rizk Law, we can push for maximum compensation to fully account for your losses and suffering.
Contact a Portland Parking Lot Car Accident Lawyer Today
Even when seemingly minor, managing the aftermath of a parking lot car crash can be incredibly frustrating. Rizk Law has recovered millions of dollars for injury victims through successful car accident settlements and verdicts, including $695,000 for a PDX shuttle driver who was walking across the airport parking lot when an SUV hit them.
As former insurance insiders, our attorneys understand and can counter the tactics insurers use to avoid paying. We know how to investigate auto accidents to work to minimize your fault and demonstrate the full extent of your monetary and subjective losses. Here is what one satisfied client had to say about our work:
“I had my first two accidents happen in one week. Neither of them were my fault. Thankfully I ran across Rizk law by reading the reviews. I’m very happy I went with them. Kyle and Alex were caring, experienced, straightforward and supportive people to work with. Thanks to them I feel very good about the outcome and I would recommend Rizk law to anyone who has been injured in a collision.” – Samantha B.
Our firm is dedicated to helping hardworking Portland residents find the support they need when someone else’s negligence harms them. You can count on us for effective and compassionate legal representation aimed at protecting your rights and interests.
Contact Rizk Law online or call today for a free consultation with a Portland parking lot injury claim lawyer.