Tips for Dealing With Parking Lot Accidents
Despite occurring off the main roadway, parking lot car accidents can be just as costly and sometimes as serious as those that occur on the roadway. And failing to stop and exchange information can expose you to criminal consequences.
Of course, not all parking lot accidents result in injuries or criminal consequences. But even minor dings and dents are still measurable damages to your car. Here are some tips that can help you deal with parking lot accidents:
1. Keep Calm and Call for Help.
If you're involved in a fender bender in the parking lot, your first instinct may be to offer the other driver a helpful expletive or obscene hand gesture before racing off. Ignore this impulse, call for help from a nearby driver or pedestrian, and do not leave the scene after an accident has occurred. Leaving the scene could end with you facing criminal charges for hit and run in addition to the damage due to the accident.
2. Check for Injuries and Damage.
First, ensure that you, your passengers or the other driver are not seriously injured. If anyone appears hurt, call 911. After dealing with injuries, evaluate the damage to your car and take photos of both vehicles with an available camera or smartphone.
3. Exchange Information With the Driver(s) Involved.
Calmly attempt to exchange information with the other driver. Provide your driver's license and insurance information. You may even want to take a picture of the other driver's drivers license with your camera.
Not only is exchanging information often mandated by state law, but having the other driver's insurance, license, and vehicle information will help resolve any future claims for damage.
4. Record Details and Witnesses.
Make sure to document details about the condition of the parking lot, the lighting, the weather, the time of the accident, and a description of the other driver's car -- especially if he or she left the scene without exchanging information.
Get the names and contact information of any nearby witnesses whose memory or accounts may be crucial to you. You may also want to check with the owner of the parking lot; perhaps surveillance footage is available that shows exactly what happened.
5. File a Claim for Damages.
After collecting information and safely leaving the scene, contact your insurance company and file a claim for the damage to your car. If you do not have car insurance, or the damage is far less than your insurance deductible, consider resolving the issue in small claims court, the limit of which in California is now up to $10,000.00.
Have you been involved in a parking lot or ANY accident and still have questions? Contact Attorney Jeffrey D. Stearman in Fullerton, Orange County, CA. for legal assistance.
This update brought to you by the Law Office of Jeffrey D. Stearman in Fullerton, Orange County, CA. Always a FREE initial consultation at (714) 871-7778. Quality representation at affordable rates!
View our websites at http://www.Stearmanlaw.com and http://www.MyOCFamilyLawyer.com
Disclaimer: The information contained in this blog is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter.
Despite occurring off the main roadway, parking lot car accidents can be just as costly and sometimes as serious as those that occur on the roadway. And failing to stop and exchange information can expose you to criminal consequences.
Of course, not all parking lot accidents result in injuries or criminal consequences. But even minor dings and dents are still measurable damages to your car. Here are some tips that can help you deal with parking lot accidents:
1. Keep Calm and Call for Help.
If you're involved in a fender bender in the parking lot, your first instinct may be to offer the other driver a helpful expletive or obscene hand gesture before racing off. Ignore this impulse, call for help from a nearby driver or pedestrian, and do not leave the scene after an accident has occurred. Leaving the scene could end with you facing criminal charges for hit and run in addition to the damage due to the accident.
2. Check for Injuries and Damage.
First, ensure that you, your passengers or the other driver are not seriously injured. If anyone appears hurt, call 911. After dealing with injuries, evaluate the damage to your car and take photos of both vehicles with an available camera or smartphone.
3. Exchange Information With the Driver(s) Involved.
Calmly attempt to exchange information with the other driver. Provide your driver's license and insurance information. You may even want to take a picture of the other driver's drivers license with your camera.
Not only is exchanging information often mandated by state law, but having the other driver's insurance, license, and vehicle information will help resolve any future claims for damage.
4. Record Details and Witnesses.
Make sure to document details about the condition of the parking lot, the lighting, the weather, the time of the accident, and a description of the other driver's car -- especially if he or she left the scene without exchanging information.
Get the names and contact information of any nearby witnesses whose memory or accounts may be crucial to you. You may also want to check with the owner of the parking lot; perhaps surveillance footage is available that shows exactly what happened.
5. File a Claim for Damages.
After collecting information and safely leaving the scene, contact your insurance company and file a claim for the damage to your car. If you do not have car insurance, or the damage is far less than your insurance deductible, consider resolving the issue in small claims court, the limit of which in California is now up to $10,000.00.
Have you been involved in a parking lot or ANY accident and still have questions? Contact Attorney Jeffrey D. Stearman in Fullerton, Orange County, CA. for legal assistance.
This update brought to you by the Law Office of Jeffrey D. Stearman in Fullerton, Orange County, CA. Always a FREE initial consultation at (714) 871-7778. Quality representation at affordable rates!
View our websites at http://www.Stearmanlaw.com and http://www.MyOCFamilyLawyer.com
Disclaimer: The information contained in this blog is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter.