Were you hit by a car in a parking lot? Parking lot accidents could cause major damage and health problems even though they are typically low speed accidents. You can file a personal injury claim to help cover the costs of your medical bills, damage to your car, or other expenses that are related to the accident.
Even if you don’t think that you have any injuries from the accident you should get medically checked out. Then you may want to talk with an experienced personal injury attorney to find out how to file a personal injury claim that will get you the money you need to pay for any medical bills or accident related expenses.
Accidents That Could Happen in a Parking Lot
People are often thinking about other things when they go shopping and do not always concentrate on what or who is around them. This is no excuse for accidents, as the busier a place gets, the more every driver should be keeping an eye on others around them.
However, a car crash in a Walmart parking, or the parking lot of any established business could happen. Some of the most common accidents that could happen when drivers bash into people walking to and from the store entrance. It can happen so easily. All it takes is a driver to back out of a parking lot and watch the sides of the vehicle rather than who is right behind them.
These sorts of accidents usually inflict serious injuries on a pedestrian as they have no protection and may suffer a variety of injuries, including:
- Cuts
- Bruises
- Broken limbs
- Head injuries
Evidence to Gather If You Are Hit In a Parking Lot
If you are physically capable after the accident, you can begin building your case immediately by gathering evidence. In a busy parking lot, you are bound to have witnesses. Make sure to gather the contact information and statements from the witnesses. It is also likely that Walmart, or any established business could have video feed of the parking lot. Take your own photographs and videos of the accident as well. All of this evidence will help you prove negligence in the accident.
In addition to the evidence that you collect, you should also make sure you start recording any of the medical expenses that you have paid as a result of the accident. Since you were not in a vehicle at the time of the accident, a majority of the damages that you will claim will come from medical bills. This can include an ambulance trip, any diagnostic tests, and treatments that you receive. On top of medical bills, you will also be able to claim for lost wages. This means that you will be able to claim for wages lost immediately after the accident, and if you have not been able to get back to work at the time of the settlement, an estimate of future wages.
If you have gotten into a car accident in the parking lot of a retail establishment, you will want to file a personal injury claim to recover compensation for all the damages you suffered. Your personal injury lawyer will help you review your specific situation and determine which damages were a direct result of the crash. These losses will be itemized, and you will come up with a total for your losses as they pertain to the auto accident injury claim.
First, you will want to add up your medical expenses. You will want to include past medical expenses, present medical bills, and add in the future medical costs that you may encounter because of your accident. Be sure to include all your medical bills, such as physician visits, hospital stays, x-rays and scans, any laboratory tests, physical therapy, prescriptions, surgery, rehabilitation, medical devices, chiropractic care, and so forth.
You will want to document any missed work and lost wages, so you can ask for past and present lost wages. However, you should also look to the future. Will your injuries cause a future loss of earnings? If so, consider future time off work and missed wages. If your injuries are so severe you must change professions or take a different job that pays less, the overall future loss of earnings should also be figured in.
Sometimes injuries are so severe they alter the accident victim’s life for years to come. If you are going to be required to make lifestyle changes because of the accident, you should consider the losses and changes associated with that aspect of your injuries. You can claim damages for any changes in your lifestyle. If you can no longer participate in hobbies that you love, such as mountain biking or hiking, or you are unable to build models because of hand injuries, make sure that is noted in your claim and ask for fair compensation for those negative affects on your life.
Some serious injuries completely change your lifestyle. In those cases, you may need medical devices, such as an electric wheelchair or scooter, and your home may require modifications. Ask for those associated costs to be included in your settlement amount. When you itemize your losses, you will want to include the costs associated with those expenses as well. You may need modifications made to a vehicle, so you can continue to drive if you suffered injuries that affect your back or legs. Your pedals for the gas and brakes may need to be adjusted so you can operate the vehicle properly and safely.
All these changes can lead to mental anguish, including depression and anxiety. You can include mental anguish in your personal injury claim if you have been in an auto accident at Walmart, or any established business like it. Remember, maintain thorough documentation and evidence to support your claim, and make sure that you review everything with your accident injury attorney before your personal injury claim is filed for the auto accident.
Claims After A Car Crash
There have been claims filed after parking lot accidents at supermarkets before. Here are some examples of auto accidents that led to personal injury claims being filed and pursued.
A mother from Swampscott, Massachusetts, was hospitalized after she was hit by a car in a parking lot in Salem, Massachusetts. According to the reports, the woman had put her two young children in the back seat of the vehicle when she was hit by a car driven by an 80-year-old woman from Salem. The 43-year-old mother was pinned underneath the vehicle for a while and had to be freed by emergency responders.
She had non-life-threatening injuries, including an injured shoulder. The 80-year-old driver also struck two parked vehicles. The elderly driver was summoned to court for driving at a speed greater than reasonable and for negligent operation of a motor vehicle. Reports indicated that Salem police also planned to petition the Registry to declare the elderly driver an immediate threat, which could lead to suspension of the woman’s license until it is determined if she is capable of driving.
The Benefits Of A Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have been involved in an accident in a parking lot, or the parking lot of any established business you should enlist the help of a personal injury lawyer who handles auto accident injury cases in your state. You will not have to pay anything out of pocket, and your lawyer will take the case on a contingency basis, which means that your attorney will not be paid until you win your claim and recover compensation through a judgment or a settlement.
There is a statute of limitations for pursuing a claim, so don’t wait too long. If you do, you cannot recover compensation for your damages. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form to share the details of your accident with an accident injury lawyer who takes personal injury cases in your area.
If you Contemplate Taking Legal Action, Use a Lawyer
It is hard enough suffering crippling injuries when you least expected them, but that’s only the start. How do you pay for medical treatment when your insurance doesn’t cover it? What is your boss going to say when your injuries prevent you from doing your job properly?
It often comes down to money and if you are contemplating taking legal action against the driver responsible for your injuries it can be a relief to know that an experienced personal injury attorney understands what happened and has taken charge of your case.
Disclaimer
*The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Walmart, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
Cases Found Via:
- salemnews.com/news/local_news/mother-hit-by-car-in-walmart-parking-lot/article_23439486-b50c-586e-b479-bd5c06104d1e.html
- verdictsearch.com/verdict/wal-mart-didnt-have-stop-signs-for-intersections-in-front-of-store/
