Parking lots in Wheaton are a common place for car accidents to occur, littered as they are with drivers vying for an open spot who make it extremely difficult to navigate without hitting pedestrians or other vehicles. The good news is that most of these cars are driving at low speeds, so any collisions that occur may not result in extensive damages.
The bad news, however, is that with cars swerving and dashing in every direction, it is not always clear who has the right of way in a parking lot. Determining liability when an accident occurs may be complicated without a capable car crash attorney’s help. A skilled Wheaton parking lot accident lawyer could work to pinpoint who may be liable for your collision—whether it is another driver or a store owner who neglected to keep their lot in good condition—and fight to hold that person or entity accountable.
The Importance of Fault in Parking Lot Accidents
Determining fault is especially important for the drivers involved in a parking lot accident. At times, jurisdiction can determine liability, especially when public throughways are ignored. For instance, stores in a strip mall may share a parking lot with stop signs, lane markings, and even traffic signals that control access to the lot.
Fault can also play a role in determining insurance benefits. For this reason, it is important to speak cautiously at the scene of an accident. While the aftermath of a car crash can be understandably overwhelming, keeping cool and composed throughout the process is always the best course of action—especially for someone with grounds to file civil suit. After an accident, it can be helpful to contact a Wheaton parking lot accident lawyer as soon as possible.
How Right-of-Way Rules Dictate Liability
In a typical parking lot, there are numerous lanes with vehicles parked on both sides, and through lanes that allow drivers to travel through and around the lot. Generally, vehicles in the through lanes have the right-of-way, and drivers exiting parking spots must yield to those in the through lanes. If someone is attempting to exit a parking spot in Wheaton and collides with a vehicle in the through lane, they would likely be held liable for the accident.
There is, however, an exception to this general rule. When a driver fails to acknowledge any stop or yield signs or traffic lights while traveling in the through lane, liability may be placed on the inattentive driver instead of the vehicle backing out of a parking spot.
Information to Exchange Following an Accident
Regardless of the source of an accident, the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires that all parties involved in any kind of motor vehicle crash exchange information with each other, including:
- Names
- Addresses
- Insurance policy information
- License plate numbers
- Driver’s license number
- Vehicle descriptions
Speaking with a Wheaton Parking Lot Accident Attorney
Parking lot accidents are somewhat common in Wheaton. However, many such situations tend to turn into shouting matches about who is going to pay for the damages. In other words, these collisions often raise questions about liability, especially when there is a lack of clarity regarding right-of-way.
Understanding your legal options with assistance from a knowledgeable Wheaton parking lot accident lawyer could help you analyze available evidence and =determine who is at fault. To speak with a skilled attorney about your case, call today.