Accident In The Parking Lot: What To Do If You Are At Fault In Florida
Corbin Sutter
Traffic Accidents
Auto accidents do not always happen on the road. For some North Port drivers, parking lots are among the places where they accidentally hit another vehicle.Whether the damage you cause to another car is minor or serious, it is important to take the right steps to prevent more severe repercussions. While you may feel stressed and anxious after hitting or bumping a parked car, you have to make sure you do not run away and take off without informing the owner of the vehicle or leaving a note to let them know about the accident.
What the Numbers Say
While some people think that parking lot accidents are uncommon, that may be far from the truth. The National Safety Council reported that around 50,000 accidents happen in parking lots annually. These lead to hundreds of deaths and more than 60,000 injuries.
According to the NSC, distraction is the leading cause of accidents happening in parking lots and parking garages. Based on the organization’s poll, around 66% of drivers in the United States said they make phone calls while driving through a parking lot. Others would program their GPS (63%), text (56%), use social media (52%), send or receive emails (50%), and take photos or watch videos (49%).
There are various reasons why parking lot accidents occur. Here are some of the most common:
• Two drivers backing out at the same time
• Pulling out of a parking space and into traffic
• Backing out of a parking space and into an oncoming car
• Two cars trying to pull into the same space
• A vehicle hitting another at a stoplight
Who Is At Fault
Florida is a no-fault state. That means an individual’s auto insurance policy pays for damages and injuries they get after an accident regardless of who is at fault.
That said, determining fault in a parking lot accident is necessary if the injury-related expenses are more than the person’s coverage limits. North Port follows state laws. So, determining fault depends on how the accident happened.
• Two drivers backing out at the same time: Both drivers are responsible unless there is evidence of negligence on the part of one driver.
• Pulling out of a parking space and into traffic: Since the driver in the lane of traffic has the right of way, the person pulling out of the parking space and into traffic will be liable.
• Backing out of a parking space and into an oncoming car: The oncoming vehicle has the right of way. That means the driver backing out of the parking space is likely at fault.
• Two cars trying to pull into the same space: Determining fault will be based on who had the right of way.
• A vehicle hitting another at a stoplight: The car hitting the other from behind is at fault.
What You Should Do
If you accidentally hit a car in the parking lot and cause $500 worth of damages or more, you are required to report the incident to the police immediately. Since you may not be aware of how much the damage will cost, it is best to contact the authorities if there is visible damage.
That means you will have to inspect your car and the other vehicle. Do not take off and leave the scene without reporting the collision. In doing so, you can prevent possible legal ramifications in the future. A hit-and-run in Florida can lead to serious penalties, such as a $500 fine, second-degree misdemeanor charges, jail time up to 60 days, and possible revocation of driver’s license.
The next thing you should do is look for the owner of the parked vehicle. Once you find them, exchange contact and insurance information with them. If you cannot locate them, leave a note with your name, contact information, and the name of your insurance provider. You should also add a description of what happened.
It may also help to take photos of the scene. Snap a few pictures of both cars from different angles, as well as the surrounding area. Make sure you capture the license plate of the other vehicle. Take note of the car’s make and model too.
If possible, ask bystanders who may have witnessed the incident for their contact information and tell them to describe what they saw. The information you gather may help when you file an insurance claim.
You should also inform your insurance provider about the accident. Tell your agent you are planning on filing a claim and ask them about the process.
It would also help to consult an auto accident lawyer. An attorney can assist you in getting proper compensation from your insurance company.