Rear-Ended in A Parking Lot?

Another driver just rear-ended you in a parking lot. What should you do next? Depending on the severity of your rear-end accident and many other factors, some of the suggested steps include:

• Call the police, especially if you have been involved in a rear-end collision that caused serious injuries.
• Before anyone leaves, talk to people who saw your parking lot accident. Make sure you get their full name and phone number. That way, investigators can interview witnesses who saw your rear-end parking lot accident.
• Take photos of your accident, especially before you move your vehicle.
• Get the other driver’s information and share the same information with the other driver. This information includes your name, address, phone number, driver’s license number and insurance information.
• Once you have exchanged information with the other driver, don’t discuss your accident. Anything you say could later be used as evidence to reduce or deny your rear-end parking lot accident claim.
• Many businesses have security cameras in parking lots. Go into the business and ask them if they have cameras directed towards the parking lot. If they do, ask them to save such parking lot camera footage. Video evidence of your rear-end collision can help strengthen your legal case.
• Call a lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner you have a rear-end accident attorney investigating your rear-end parking lot accident, the better.

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In most cases, it’s the driver who backed into another car that’s at fault. But in some cases, it might be the other way around. The driver who hit the car backing out may be at fault, especially if the at-fault driver was speeding in the parking lot, texting while driving, drunk or under the influence of drugs.

Don’t simply assume you were at fault or that the other driver was clearly at fault. Many rear-end parking lot accidents quickly turn into he-said, she-said scenarios with each driver blaming the other for causing the collision.

Don’t get involved in such debates. Get a lawyer. When you have a rear-end accident lawyer handling your case, you don’t have to deal with the other driver or the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Your attorney can work with you to build a strong legal case showing that you were not at fault in causing your rear-end parking lot accident.

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Ideally, you should be financially compensated for all your accident-related expenses. Such expenses might include vehicle repairs, medical bills and replacement income if you cannot work while you’re recovering from your injury. Add up all these expenses and your accident could be worth thousands of dollars.

All of this might sound straightforward. But there’s often a lot of debate about how much money you should receive for your rear-end parking lot accident. The insurance company responsible for compensating you (usually the at-fault driver’s insurance company) will often insist that your accident claim is worth far less than the actual amount.

When this happens, don’t let insurance companies push you around. Talk to an attorney familiar with rear-end parking lot cases. Your lawyer can deal with insurance companies and demand the maximum financial compensation on your behalf. And even if you have received what you believe is a fair settlement offer, you would be surprised how much your rear-end accident claim might be worth once you take into account all your expenses.

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Sometimes, filing a lawsuit is the best way to get the compensation you deserve for your rear-end parking lot accident. And if another driver clearly caused your collision, you might want to consider filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. In such a lawsuit, their interests will be represented by their insurance company and the goal is to get their insurance company to pay up.

Deciding whether to file a lawsuit is a very important decision. This is why you should talk to a lawyer before deciding to take legal action. An experienced rear-end accident attorney can review your case and explain your options, which may include filing a lawsuit.

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You might think you don't need an attorney if another driver clearly caused your rear-end parking lot accident. But the reality is many legal issues often come up after an accident, even if another driver was clearly at fault.

Sometimes, it’s the other driver that’s the problem. They might try to blame you for causing the collision. Other times, it’s insurance companies. They might do everything they can to pay you as little as possible or nothing at all.

Whatever the circumstances, an experienced rear-end parking lot accident lawyer can guide you through the legal process and make sure your rights are respected. Talk to a Law.com Premier Attorney listed on this website. They can meet with you for free, answer your questions and explain your legal options.

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