Parking lot accidents happen. Every once and a while you bump into another car while you are shopping or running errands. It can seem like these accidents are no big deal or like they are an extra huge hassle. Instead, you should try and remember that parking lot accidents are just like any other car wreck and when one happens to you, it's important to take the same steps you would in a regular car accident. Parking lot accidents often go unreported because they seem like no big deal, that can leave you with expensive car repairs and major headaches later though.
When you are in an accident in a parking lot it can sometimes be hard to figure out who is at fault " that means who caused the accident. Rules in parking lots are not as well known as general rules on the road. These rules to parking lot accidents can help you determine how to handle it when this happens to you:
1. Drivers in the thoroughfare, the lane of the parking lot that leads out to the main road or highway outside of the parking lot, have the right of way always. Drivers who are in the feeder lanes, the lanes that run through the parking lot and up and down the aisles where there are parking spots, are responsible to yield to drivers in the thoroughfare lane. If you are driving in a feeder lane, be sure to wait for drivers in the thoroughfare to pass before you pull out into traffic.
2. Drivers who are in parking spaces are responsible to yield to other traffic. This means that whether you are pulling in or out of a parking space, you should check your surroundings carefully to make sure there is no other traffic.
3. When you are in a parking lot and you run into a parked car, you are at fault in that wreck. Any car that is legally parked in the parking lot is not responsible for your driving. If the car is parked wrong " in an illegal way or sticking out into the lane " they might be held responsible. Take a picture of the car if you hit one and think it is in the wrong.
4.You must follow all signs in the parking lot. You are automatically at fault if you are in an accident as a result of failing to follow the directions of a traffic sign in the parking lot such as a stop or yield sign, or if you fail to follow the directions of a police officer.
5. If you are driving and a car door opens right in front of you and you collide with it, the person who opened the door is the one who is at fault in that accident. When you are exiting your car, it is your responsibility to make sure no cars are passing so that you are not left responsible for one less door on your car.
So what steps should you take after an accident in a parking lot?
When you are in a parking lot accident, you should first and foremost treat it like any other car accident. Go through the same steps that you would go through in any other car wreck " exchange information, take pictures, and call the police if there is extensive damage. You should always file an insurance claim when you are in a car accident, if you don't, your insurance company has the right to terminate your policy. Some people want to pay for minor damage, like most parking lot accidents cause, out of their own pocket. That is ok, as long as you are on the same page with the other person involved in the accident.
Most people drive in parking lots almost every day. Now you know some of the rules of parking lots and can start driving safer and more aware while you are in them and doing all you can to avoid a wreck during your daily errands and commute. Yield where appropriate and be courteous always, this will keep your parking lot driving safe and simple.
When you are in an accident in a parking lot it can sometimes be hard to figure out who is at fault " that means who caused the accident. Rules in parking lots are not as well known as general rules on the road. These rules to parking lot accidents can help you determine how to handle it when this happens to you:
1. Drivers in the thoroughfare, the lane of the parking lot that leads out to the main road or highway outside of the parking lot, have the right of way always. Drivers who are in the feeder lanes, the lanes that run through the parking lot and up and down the aisles where there are parking spots, are responsible to yield to drivers in the thoroughfare lane. If you are driving in a feeder lane, be sure to wait for drivers in the thoroughfare to pass before you pull out into traffic.
2. Drivers who are in parking spaces are responsible to yield to other traffic. This means that whether you are pulling in or out of a parking space, you should check your surroundings carefully to make sure there is no other traffic.
3. When you are in a parking lot and you run into a parked car, you are at fault in that wreck. Any car that is legally parked in the parking lot is not responsible for your driving. If the car is parked wrong " in an illegal way or sticking out into the lane " they might be held responsible. Take a picture of the car if you hit one and think it is in the wrong.
4.You must follow all signs in the parking lot. You are automatically at fault if you are in an accident as a result of failing to follow the directions of a traffic sign in the parking lot such as a stop or yield sign, or if you fail to follow the directions of a police officer.
5. If you are driving and a car door opens right in front of you and you collide with it, the person who opened the door is the one who is at fault in that accident. When you are exiting your car, it is your responsibility to make sure no cars are passing so that you are not left responsible for one less door on your car.
So what steps should you take after an accident in a parking lot?
When you are in a parking lot accident, you should first and foremost treat it like any other car accident. Go through the same steps that you would go through in any other car wreck " exchange information, take pictures, and call the police if there is extensive damage. You should always file an insurance claim when you are in a car accident, if you don't, your insurance company has the right to terminate your policy. Some people want to pay for minor damage, like most parking lot accidents cause, out of their own pocket. That is ok, as long as you are on the same page with the other person involved in the accident.
Most people drive in parking lots almost every day. Now you know some of the rules of parking lots and can start driving safer and more aware while you are in them and doing all you can to avoid a wreck during your daily errands and commute. Yield where appropriate and be courteous always, this will keep your parking lot driving safe and simple.
About the Author:
To find out more about car insurance issues and get rates on cheap Texas car insurance and no credit check car insurance policies visit dillo.com.
