A trip to the store or the beach can change suddenly when a driver backs out without looking or speeds through a crowded lot. Parking area collisions may typically happen at low speeds, but they can still cause serious injuries, especially to pedestrians, people in smaller vehicles, bicyclists, or people on scooters. If another driver’s negligence injured you, that driver or their insurance company may try to blame you. Speaking with a car accident attorney from our firm can help you protect your rights and understand your options.
When it comes to parking lot accidents in Monterey, our team at Dunnion Law can fully investigate what happened, gather relevant evidence, and pursue fair compensation on your behalf. These claims often depend on details such as vehicle movement, pedestrian right-of-way, and surveillance footage. Documenting those facts can help establish responsibility and connect the crash to your injuries.
Parking lots create a mix of moving vehicles, pedestrians, and tight spaces, which leads to collisions that are often preventable. In Monterey, an accident in a parking lot can happen in several common ways:
Because private entities usually own these lots, the normal rules of the road can be less clear, which is one reason parties often dispute who is at fault. Our experienced team can examine the specific circumstances of the crash to help determine liability.
Fault in a Monterey parking lot crash is not always obvious, but general rules help. Drivers in the main through lanes usually have the right of way over those pulling out of parking spaces or feeder lanes, and every driver must watch for pedestrians and yield when required. Under California Civil Code § 1714, a person who causes harm by failing to use reasonable care is responsible for the resulting injuries.
If you share responsibility for an accident, the court may reduce your damages by the percentage of fault it assigns you. Insurance companies often use this rule to shift responsibility onto injured victims and push them to accept lesser payment offers. Our legal team can gather surveillance footage, witness statements, and vehicle damage evidence to show what truly happened.
Even a low-speed collision can leave lasting harm, including broken bones, back injuries, and head trauma. A fair claim should account for every way the crash has affected your life, including medical expenses, lost income, and damages for pain and suffering. Damages can also account for physical impairment, disfigurement, and the inconvenience of a long recovery.
You must take action promptly because the law limits your time to file a claim. Under Cal. Code of Civ. Proc. § 335.1, an injured person generally has two years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury lawsuit. After a parking lot accident, our Monterey attorneys can handle the legal work while you focus on healing.
Parking lot accidents in Monterey can leave you facing unexpected medical bills, lost income, and uncertainty about who is responsible. At Dunnion Law, we have spent over 50 years fighting for injured Californians and their families. Contact us today to discuss parking lot accidents, review your case, and learn about the steps involved in pursuing compensation.
