Parking Lot Accidents

Parking lot accidents are often dismissed as minor fender-benders, but they can cause significant injuries and property damage. Knoxville car accident lawyer Mark C. Hartsoe can explain your legal rights and obligations if you were involved in a parking lot accident. Mr. Hartsoe has over twenty-five years of experience, and can represent you if you suffered injuries and damage as a result of a parking lot accident. Contact our office today to see how we can help you.

With a number of cars navigating in tight quarters, parking lots can turn into prime areas for collisions. Everyone becomes a pedestrian in a parking lot, and the close proximity of cars to other vehicles and individuals can result in injuries or property damage.

Cars typically travel at slower speeds in parking lots, which means low-impact collisions and minor injuries or property damage are more common than in high-speed collisions. Since most parking lots are located on private property, the rules of the road do not apply. As a result, the police may not respond to a parking lot accident. If a person is involved in a parking lot accident, it is important to document the incident by taking pictures of any damage and getting the other party’s name, address, phone number, and insurance information. This will be crucial if there is a dispute as to who is responsible for the accident.

A parking lot accident victim can hold a reckless driver liable for their injuries. Motorists in Tennessee must exercise reasonable care when they operate their vehicles, regardless of whether they are on private or public property. A person involved in a parking lot accident must establish the elements of negligence to hold a reckless driver liable for their injuries. This means the victim has the burden of showing that the other party had a duty of care; the duty was breached; the breach caused their injuries; and the victim suffered actual harm.

Parking lot accidents can turn into a heated dispute as to who is at fault. Tennessee applies the doctrine of modified comparative fault in negligence cases. This means that even if a victim establishes that the other party was negligent, the defendant may argue that the victim caused or contributed to the accident as well. If this occurs, the victim can only recover if:

• He/she was less negligent than the defendant, and
• The victim’s own negligence was not the proximate cause of his/her injuries.

If a victim is found to be negligent, his or her recovery will be reduced in proportion to the percentage of the total negligence attributed to him or her. For example, if a victim is 30 percent negligent, he or she can recover for 70 percent of his or her damages. However, if a victim is 60 percent negligent, he or she is barred from recovering for their injuries.

Parking lot accidents can cause injuries or property damage, no matter how minor they may seem. You may be entitled to recover for any medical bills or property damage if you were involved in a parking lot accident. Because Tennessee law can impact how much you can recover, it is important to consult with an attorney who understands your rights.

Knoxville personal injury lawyer Mark C. Hartsoe can provide you with the legal guidance and advocacy you need if you were involved in a parking lot accident. Mr. Hartsoe is committed to helping clients know their rights and take the necessary steps to recover for their injuries. He will analyze your case, answer your questions, and discuss your legal options with you. Call us today at 865-804-1011 or reach us online for a free, no-obligation consultation.