Indiana Parking Lot Accident Lawyers

While we usually think of motor vehicle accidents as occurring almost exclusively on roads, the truth is that around twenty percent of collisions take place in parking lots. Most of these incidents are relatively low impact, but others can be much more serious, resulting in approximately 60,000 injuries and 500 deaths throughout the United States each year, with pedestrians often enduring the brunt of the consequences.

Fortunately, you may have grounds for a personal injury case if you have been badly hurt in a parking lot in Indiana, though it should be noted that success isn’t guaranteed, especially when you’re squaring off against insurance companies desperate to limit their financial exposure. However, you can tip the odds in your favor by partnering with the tenacious car accident lawyers at Hensley Legal Group, PC, a dedicated Indiana personal injury law firm whose experienced attorneys have been fighting on behalf of the wrongfully injured since 1998.

For a free case review with a knowledgeable Indiana parking lot accident lawyer, just call us at (317) 472-3333, chat with us online, or fill out our contact form today.

Top Causes of Parking Lot Accidents

Every parking lot accident is different, but certain factors are commonly associated with crashes at these locations. Some of the top causes of parking lot accidents in Indiana are:

• Improper backing – Parked drivers are supposed to keep a proper lookout, check their blind spots, and yield to vehicles and pedestrians in the designated lanes of travel behind them whenever they back out of their spaces, and they could strike or run someone over if they don’t. In fact, about a quarter of parking lot accidents involve vehicles that are backing up.
• Incautious parking – Drivers could also inflict grievous bodily harm if they aren’t sufficiently cautious when they pull into parking spaces.
• Failure to yield – This duty to yield doesn’t only apply when a driver is entering or exiting a parking spot. Indeed, parking lot traffic patterns can be deeply complex, and drivers are expected to observe yield signs or otherwise understand who has the right of way and respond accordingly to any concerns that arise if accidents are to be prevented.
• Distraction – Mistakes such as these are frequently indicators of distraction, a major contributor to American auto accidents that has grown into an epidemic with the rise of cellphones, which 66 percent of motorists admit to using when they drive through parking lots. Anything that takes a driver’s mind off the task at hand could bring about a collision, and the problem may be compounded in “relaxed” settings like parking lots that tend to make people far more inclined to let their guards down.
• Excessive speed – Whether or not a parking lot has a posted speed limit, it is critical for drivers not to move too fast in these obstacle-rich environments, where pedestrians might suddenly dart out in front of them or vehicles could come at them from practically any direction.
• Reduced visibility – Accidents may be inevitable if parking lots don’t have adequate lighting that permits drivers to move safely through them, particularly if the drivers neglect to deploy their headlights.
• Inclement weather – Rain, snow, sleet, and other inclement weather conditions can similarly hinder both visibility and traction, thereby increasing the chances of a significant parking lot accident.

But no matter what ultimately caused your parking lot injury, the seasoned Indiana parking lot accident attorneys at Hensley Legal Group can determine the wisest course of action if you are contemplating a case.

Steps to Take After an Indiana Parking Lot Accident

To better protect that case, there are a number of steps that you should try to take after a parking lot accident, including the following:

• Dial 911 – Police and emergency personnel may be less likely to arrive at the scene of a parking lot accident than an accident on the street, so be prepared to dial 911 to request their presence in order to ensure that an accurate report will be produced and the injured will be treated.
• Seek medical attention – If you happen to be one of those injured, seek medical attention as soon as you can, ideally from paramedics or at the closest emergency room, as any gaps in care could cast doubt on the extent and relevance of your injuries.
• Shoot photos and videos – Because a contemporary visual record of the crash site could be invaluable, shoot photos and videos of your immediate surroundings if you’re able.
• Exchange driver and eyewitness information – Before you leave the parking lot, don’t forget to exchange essential information with the driver who hit you and any eyewitnesses, such as:
  • Name
  • Address
  • Phone number
  • Email
  • Vehicle year, make, and model
  • License plate
  • Insurance details
• Notify your auto insurer – To remain in compliance with the terms of your policy and take advantage of its benefits, like reimbursement for towing, repairs, rentals, and doctor visits, notify your auto insurer about the Indiana parking lot accident promptly.
• Keep your distance from other insurers – Yet as important as reaching out to your own insurer is, you should probably keep your distance from the insurers for the other parties, who may be eager to use your words against you, at least until you have an opportunity to…
• Speak with a lawyer – A veteran legal practitioner can go over the circumstances leading up to your parking lot accident, answer any questions you might have, and educate you about the legal remedies that may be available to you.

What Hensley Legal Group Can Do for You

An accident in a parking lot can change your life in an instant, burying you beneath a mountain of expenses while making it much tougher to earn the funds you need to dig your way out from under them, but this is where our Indiana parking lot accident attorneys can help.

If you hire Hensley, we will begin by launching a thorough investigation to identify everyone who may bear responsibility for your accident. The list of defendants could be quite substantial and may include a reckless driver, the owner of his or her vehicle or of the parking lot itself, and potentially other individuals, entities, and government agencies too. Nevertheless, you can rest assured that valid claims will be established against all of them within the time allotted by law, and a lawsuit may be filed as well in a court with the power to issue a binding judgment if the situation warrants it.

After building a rock-solid case against each of the defendants, your Indiana parking lot accident lawyer will negotiate tirelessly with their insurance carriers to secure a settlement that compensates you for the full spectrum of the damages incurred, including your:

• Medical bills
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Psychological trauma
• Mobility restrictions
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Diminished quality of living
• Loss of consortium

And in stark contrast to many of our competitors, who seldom, if ever, venture into a courtroom, we are not afraid to proceed to trial if we do not receive an offer that is worthy of your claim.

No two Indiana parking lot accidents are exactly the same, but we will always strive to obtain the maximum compensation possible for yours.

We Won’t Get Paid Until You Get Paid

If you are reluctant to spend more money after you have spent so much already, you should know that our firm operates on a contingency basis. This means that we won’t get paid until you get paid, an arrangement that could spare you additional worries during a uniquely worrisome period.

What might have started out as a brief errand or a pleasant day out on the town has transformed into a harrowing journey with no end in sight, but you can rely on Hensley’s highly skilled Indiana parking lot accident attorneys to guide you to a satisfying conclusion.

Get in Touch with Our Indiana Parking Lot Accident Lawyers

Hensley Legal Group has been fiercely advocating for the innocent victims of negligence since the firm was founded nearly three decades ago. If you have been injured in a parking lot in the Hoosier State through no fault of your own, get in touch with our Indiana parking lot accident lawyers to learn more about your legal options.

You can schedule a complimentary consultation with an accomplished Indiana parking lot accident attorney by simply calling us at (317) 472-3333, chatting with us online, or filling out our contact form now.