Many are surprised to learn that the most car accidents don’t occur on roads or highway – They occur in parking lots across Melbourne and Titusville. Upon further analysis; however, it’s easily explained. Drivers are not as experienced at driving in reverse, and distractions abound – from countless pedestrians walking at their own pace and level of awareness and other motorists who are anxious to get to their next destination.

Though accidents in parking lots typically occur at low speeds, related injuries are not always minor. Obviously, parking lot accidents involving pedestrians can be catastrophic. Parents don’t always hold their children’s hands, and it is not uncommon for a hyper child to dart in front of – or behind – a moving vehicle.

Often, drivers are so concerned about pedestrians that they forget about other cars, including those backing up, speeding up to secure a spot or illegally cutting across empty lanes to save a few seconds. Danger can come at you from any direction in a parking lot, which quite likely is why so many accidents occur there.

Always do these two things

Car-vs-car accidents that occur in Melbourne parking lots don’t always trigger major injuries, but even minor injuries can persist for years and even decades after the collision. That’s why it’s in your best interests to discuss the collision with an experienced car accident lawyer after any type of parking lot accident, no matter how insignificant the incident might seem.

Similarly, you should always see a doctor just to be safe. If a serious medical issue were to pop up someday as a result of the accident, and should circumstances merit a lawsuit, early medical records could play a significant role in helping you secure damages. Whiplash, for example, is a serious medical condition that could show benign symptoms initially, but pose serious problems down the road.

How you can help yourself

Authorities might be slow to respond to a reported accident in a parking lot if resources are tied up and it is presumed that your accident isn’t an emergency. There are a number of things you can do while you wait to help a future car accident lawsuit, should it get that far:

• Don’t panic or lose your cool. This is not the first impression you want to make on the responding officer or potential witnesses.
• Try to take as many photos as possible from different angles. These photos could refute the other party’s claims in a court of law.
• Attempt to retrieve phone numbers and names of witnesses. Once they’re gone, they’re likely gone for good.
• Do not admit fault, and limit what you say. Even a nervous joke could be used against you in a case.

These accidents are minor… Right?

Florida is a no-fault state, meaning that the first $10,000 of damage or injury expenses are paid for by your own insurance company. Although parking lot accidents often are minor, there are always exceptions. If for example, one driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a high-impact collision is possible in a parking lot. The same holds true for a speeding driver, or one who blows through a stop sign. In such cases, damage and injuries could skyrocket, making that $10,000 from the insurance company a drop in the bucket.

If you’ve been seriously injured in a Titusville or Melbourne parking lot accident due to the negligence of another driver, contact our car accident attorneys immediately to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. At Couture Law, PA, we believe peace of mind is worth the price of a free phone call.