Just like any other car accident, parking lot accidents can raise questions regarding who was at fault. Generally, the laws that apply to parking lots are no different than when navigating streets or freeways. Understanding right-of-way can help you avoid an accident, or determine your rights following an injury.
Who Has the Right-Of-Way?
There are two basic types of lanes in a parking lot. The right-of-way in a parking lot can depend which lane you’re in.
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Thoroughfare Lane – This is the lane that exits to a street. Usually wider lanes and most commonly recognized for drivers to have the right-of-way.- Feeder Lane – Smaller lanes that end and begin at the thoroughfare lanes. Drivers in feeder lanes, must stop and allow traffic in thoroughfare lanes to go before proceeding.
Thoroughfare Lane – This is the lane that exits to a street. Usually wider lanes and most commonly recognized for drivers to have the right-of-way.Vehicles in a parked space do not have the right-of-way. They must yield to other cars and pedestrians before backing out of the parking space.
Drivers must always abide by stop and yield signs. Failure to do so can make any resulting accident your fault.
Common Parking Lot Accidents
Most parking lot collisions happen when a driver backs out of a space and strikes a car with the right-of-way. A driver backing out isn’t fully responsible when two cars reversing at the same time strike each other. When this occurs, liability is usually shared by both drivers.
Parking lot accidents are subject to fault determination rules. This means adjusters will determine liability based off of predetermined guidelines. This is why parking lot accident claims can move quickly in the early stages.
Pedestrians are at high risk for being hurt in a parking lot. Drivers must actively look for pedestrians to avoid an accident.
Always drive slowly, especially when backing out of your parking space. Always be aware of your surroundings.
At Bergener Mirejovsky, we are here to help accident victims like you get the medical care you need. Let us help you get the proper treatment and the compensation you deserve. Call for a free consultation at 1-800-881-2021.