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Chicago Injury Lawyers For People Involved In Car Accidents In Parking Lots
Every day across America, motorists return to their vehicle in a large parking lot to find a dent, ding or worse left on their vehicle and no party at-fault around to blame. Even if this happened to you when you saw a motorist back into you or sideswipe your vehicle, the police often might not respond if there is no injury. This is because many parking lots are considered private property. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC help people injured in Chicago car accidents occurring in parking lots.
The popularity of large malls and shopping centers has been on the rise and so too has the prevalence of people being hit by cars in parking lots and parking garages. While the damage to your vehicle is an inconvenience, when a motorist drives carelessly when entering a parking spot or fails to look before backing out, they pose a serious threat to the safety of pedestrians in the area. Even at relatively slow speeds, a vehicle striking a pedestrian can result in serious injuries – even if the impact just causes the victim to lose their balance.
How To Handle A Chicago Parking Lot Accident Involving A Vehicle?
If you or your car have been hit in a parking lot, your case should be handled like any other car accident. Get the other motorist's personal information, such as their insurance, driver’s license information (address, name and license number) and phone number. Take down all pertinent information related to their vehicle including make/model and license plate. Always call the police, even if law enforcement refuses to respond. If you are injured, request an ambulance to come to the accident scene or seek medical attention as soon as feasible.
In a hit and run parking lot accident, look around for witnesses. If the police refuse to respond, get the name, address and phone number of anyone who witnessed the accident. Take pictures of the vehicle's damage and the surrounding area with your cell phone or a camera if possible. Call your insurance company as soon as possible and get their advice on how to proceed. You may need to go to the police station and file a "walk in" report of your accident to ensure you are compensated for your claim.
Pedestrians Hit By Cars Backing Up In Lots & Garages
Although most parking lot accidents are usually property damage claims, not all fall into that category. Nineteen percent of all fatal back over accidents, where a car backs over a person, occurs in nonresidential parking lots. Fifty-two percent of back-over injury accidents happen in these same parking areas.
As with any auto injury accident, a back-over accident should involve calling the police and medical emergency response. Receiving medical attention is first and foremost the first step to take in any accident even if the driver or passengers are not suffering an obvious injury.
Once all victims have received medical treatment, there needs to be an investigation conducted by police and/or a personal injury accident attorney. Legally obtaining security surveillance videos that were recording the accident scene area and interviewing witnesses to document exactly what happened can help your case significantly to ensure you obtain adequate financial recovery.
Accident Attorneys in Chicago Who Are on Your Side
Chicago parking lot accidents can be frustrating at the very least. Having a lawyer who is competent in Illinois civil tort laws involving accidents and medicine and understands your rights can make a large difference in settling your claim and maximizing the value of your legal case. As trusted Chicago car accident attorneys, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC help clients injured in parking lot car accidents to ensure they obtain every penny they are entitled to receive under Illinois law. Contact our office today for a free, no obligation consultation.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC are here file and settle your claim for financial compensation that involves you, your child and/or another family member. Our consultations are always free and we are here to advise you on the best legal action that fits your specific situation.
Resources for parking lot and garage safety:
- http://www.iihs.org/research/qanda/backover.aspx
- http://www.insurancehotline.com/common-insurance-situations-part-one/
- Cars in parking lots posting a danger to pedestrians
- Can cameras protect people from backing up vehicles?
