When people hear the term “parking garage accident,” they do not think of devastating accidents. While it is true that parking accidents are not as bad as road accidents, they can still cause damage. The main causes of accidents in the parking lot are speeding, distraction, and overestimating a vehicle’s ability to fit in a small spot.
If you have been involved in a parking garage accident, it could lead to various damages. While these accidents usually do not lead to severe or life-threatening injuries, knowing how to avoid an accident like this one is still crucial. If you are concerned about the damages you have incurred in a parking accident, speak to a Grand Junction car accident lawyer today.
Steps to take after you have been involved in a parking accident
- Do not leave the accident site.
First of all, unless either party is severely injured, you should stop at the site. Leaving an accident site without exchanging information with the other driver is considered a legal offense, and you may also be charged with a hit-and-run case. If the other party leaves after inflicting damages upon you, you can file a hit-and-run case against them as well.
- Report the accident to the police.
After making sure that all parties involved, including the drivers and passengers, are fine and do not need immediate medical care, call 911 to report the incident to the police. In the case of a fender bender, most people do not consider it important to report it to the police, which is often a huge mistake. When the police arrive, they will investigate the site and create a report which will be helpful in proving the case later.
- Get medical care.
Even though you may not have needed immediate medical care, it is still important to go for a medical check-up to ensure there are no internal injuries. Your injuries may not seem serious, but what appears to be only scratches and bruises may progress into something major. Many internal injuries take days, weeks, or sometimes months to show symptoms.
- Talk to your insurance company.
It is possible that before you get time to talk to your insurance agent, the other party’s insurer may call you. It is crucial that you refuse to speak to them without consulting an attorney in Grand Junction first. Additionally, you should report the accident to your insurance as soon as possible. If you do not report on time, they might find reasons to deny insurance.
