Though they often happen at relatively low speeds, parking lot accidents in Oklahoma City can and do cause severe injuries and significant financial losses. Parking lots are considered private property, which changes how accidents are documented and reported compared to public roads.
This distinction can affect liability and the process for seeking compensation. While parking lot accidents may seem minor compared to highway crashes, they can still result in serious injuries and significant consequences. Furthermore, people injured in a parking lot accident often have trouble proving who caused the crash, leading to long battles with insurers and other bureaucratic headaches.
If you suffered injuries in a parking lot collision in Oklahoma City, trust Cain Law to protect your legal rights and fight for maximum compensation. An Oklahoma City parking lot car accident lawyer from our local personal injury law firm can handle all the legal work while you rest and heal.
We’re not afraid of the insurance companies or of taking your case to court if necessary. You don’t owe any fees unless you recover compensation, so call now or complete our contact form for a free case review.
How Cain Law Helps Victims of Parking Lot Accidents in Oklahoma City
With over $250 million recovered for our clients and decades of cumulative experience, our Oklahoma City car accident lawyers understand the challenges in parking lot accident claims in Oklahoma and how to build compelling personal injury cases. Moreover, we simplify the legal process by handling all the paperwork, settlement negotiations, and courtroom procedures.
If you can’t come to us, we can visit you at home, in the hospital, or wherever is most convenient for you. We also work with your medical team to make sure you receive the best possible care.
We work tirelessly to aid our clients in their recovery, and we’re proud of the feedback we’ve received for our efforts. Here’s what one recent client said about their experience with us:
“Cam and Michael provided invaluable assistance throughout the entirety of my case. They consistently reached out via phone or text to check in with me and facilitated my connection with the necessary medical professionals. Without their guidance, I am confident that my current state of recovery would not have been possible. I am deeply grateful for their exceptional support, as they have significantly surpassed my expectations and provided me with far more assistance than I could have achieved independently. I wholeheartedly recommend Cain Law to anyone who has been involved in a car accident and requires the utmost expertise in handling such situations. Cain Law is an exceptional law firm that got the best possible outcome.” — Dawn M.
We would be honored to represent you and fight on your behalf after a parking lot accident. Our services include:
- Investigating the accident – We review the police crash report, request and analyze surveillance footage, examine photographs, obtain witness statements, and preserve all critical evidence. Our investigation includes examining skid marks, dangerous conditions such as broken pavement, uneven pavement, poor lighting, and identifying any known hazards that the property owner or property managers failed to address. We work to identify all liable parties, including the property owner, property managers, and the other party involved, to ensure all responsible entities are held accountable.
- Calculating your losses – Many people injured in parking lot crashes or other accidents leave money on the table because they don’t include their emotional pain or other losses in their claim. We thoroughly document all the harm you’ve suffered to maximize your claim’s value.
- Communicating with insurers – The insurance companies want to protect their profits at all costs, and they’ll likely try to blame you for the crash or minimize your losses. We handle all communication with the insurers, so you don’t have to worry about saying something that might hurt your case. We also push back against any efforts to downplay your injuries or let the other driver off the hook for their careless actions.
- Taking your case to trial – Many personal injury cases end in negotiated insurance settlements, but trials are sometimes necessary when insurers don’t negotiate in good faith. If taking your case to court is the correct move, we handle all the legal procedures and present a robust case to the judge or jury.
Our personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to discuss your options and how we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Parking Lot Accidents in Oklahoma City
Some of the most common causes of parking lot accidents include:
- Speeding or failing to maintain a safe speed in a parking lot
- Failure to yield the right-of-way, especially when maneuvering in or out of a parking spot or parking space
- Distracted driving—many drivers admit to engaging in distracting activities in parking lots, such as checking their phones or managing children
- Poor visibility, including failure to check blind spots before backing out of a parking space
- Lack of stop signs and other traffic control devices, which can lead to confusion and accidents
- Shopping carts left unattended or being pushed by pedestrians, which can obstruct drivers’ views and create hazards
Parking lot accidents often involve pedestrians and can lead to severe injuries. Drivers have a duty to maintain a safe speed and keep a proper lookout in parking lots, just as they do on public roads.
Injuries and Damages from Parking Lot Accidents
While parking lot accidents often occur at low speeds, they can still result in serious injuries and significant property damage. Victims may suffer from soft tissue injuries like whiplash, sprains, or back injuries, which can require ongoing treatment. More severe cases can involve broken bones, head trauma, or even fatalities, particularly in pedestrian accidents.
The specific circumstances of each accident—such as the speed and size of the vehicles involved—play a major role in the severity of injuries.
Property damage is also common, with parked cars and other vehicles frequently sustaining dents, scratches, or more extensive harm. Even seemingly minor lot accidents can lead to costly repairs and medical expenses, making it crucial to take every incident seriously and seek appropriate compensation.
Who Is at Fault in a Parking Lot Crash?
Many people ask us who is at fault for a parking lot crash. The answer is that it depends on the circumstances of the crash and who had the right of way.
In general, the driver who’s liable for a parking lot accident is whoever’s careless actions caused the crash. For example, drivers exiting parking spots must yield to other cars moving down the lanes. So, if a driver backed up without looking and hit someone, they might be liable for the collision. On the other hand, if a driver moving down the lane was speeding, they might be partly or fully responsible for an accident due to their negligent behavior.
Many parking lot accidents involve two drivers, such as both vehicles backing out of parking spaces at the same time or competing for the same spot. In Oklahoma, the state’s comparative negligence rules can reduce compensation if an injured driver shares blame for a parking lot collision.
The comparative negligence rule states that if the injured person’s percentage of fault is 50 percent or less, they can still seek compensation. In these circumstances, any compensation the driver recovers is reduced by their percentage of fault. However, a driver cannot recover compensation if their percentage of fault exceeds 50 percent.
How Oklahoma Law Addresses Hit-and-Run Parking Lot Accidents
Oklahoma law requires any driver involved in a crash to stop as close to the scene as possible and provide their name, home address, and vehicle registration information to all other drivers involved in the collision. This rule applies to all accidents, even those without apparent injuries.
Furthermore, state law requires a driver who strikes an unattended vehicle to immediately stop and attempt to locate the vehicle’s owner or driver. If the driver cannot find whoever owns the vehicle they hit, they must leave a note “in a conspicuous place,” and the note must contain the driver’s name, address, and insurance information.
Failing to follow these requirements is a misdemeanor offense. Practically speaking, though, it’s challenging to find someone after a hit-and-run in a parking lot in Oklahoma. You may be able to file a claim with your insurance company using your uninsured motorist coverage.
Insurance companies treat hit-and-runs as if the collision involved a driver without insurance, and your policy can help cover your medical bills and repair costs. If you don’t have uninsured motorist coverage, talk to a personal injury lawyer in Oklahoma City about your potential options.
Insurance Complications After a Parking Lot Accident
Dealing with insurance companies after a parking lot accident in Oklahoma City can be complicated. Insurance companies may attempt to minimize payouts or deny claims altogether, leaving accident victims struggling to cover medical bills and repair costs. Navigating these challenges often requires gathering strong evidence, such as witness statements and detailed documentation of the accident.
Working with an experienced Oklahoma City car accident lawyer can make a significant difference, as they understand how to handle insurance company tactics and fight for the compensation you deserve. Acting quickly after a parking lot accident is essential, as evidence can disappear and memories can fade, making it harder to prove your case.
What to Do After a Parking Lot Accident in Oklahoma City
If you’re involved in a parking lot accident in Oklahoma City, taking the right steps can protect your health and your legal rights. First, seek medical attention immediately, even if your injuries seem minor—some injuries may not be apparent right away. Next, contact the police to file a report and provide a clear account of the accident. Take photos of the scene, including all vehicles involved and any visible property damage.
Collect witness statements and contact information from anyone who saw the accident, as their accounts can be crucial for your claim. Finally, consult with an experienced Oklahoma City car accident lawyer to discuss your legal options.
Contact an Oklahoma City Car Accident Lawyer at Cain Law
Parking lot accident claims may seem simple, but one misstep could cost you dearly. Cain Law is here to help, so call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation. In Pain? Call Cain.