Parking Lot Accidents in New Hampshire: Who's At Fault?
One of the most common – and most frustrating – types of car accidents involves one car hitting another in a parking lot. So, who’s at fault in a parking lot accident? Is the driver of the car that hit another car always at fault? And who decides who’s at fault?
You can find the answers to these questions and more information about parking lot accidents below. Or, if you want to speak to a member of our legal team about your specific situation, contact our law firm. An experienced New Hampshire car lawyer at Burns, Bryant, Cox, Rockefeller & Durkin, P.A. can talk to you and explain your potential legal options.
Common causes of parking lot accidents
In order to understand who’s at fault in a parking lot accident, it’s important first to understand why collisions often occur in a parking lot. Accidents often happen in parking lots because a driver behaved carelessly or recklessly. Examples include:
- Speeding in a parking lot and crashing into another vehicle, whether the other car is moving or parked.
- Texting while driving or not paying attention, resulting in a collision.
- Aggressively following other vehicles too closely, often resulting in a rear-end parking lot accident.
- Backing up without looking, which often results in a T-bone parking lot accident.
- Cutting through parking spaces instead of using the throughway.
Parking lot collisions occur for many other reasons. This is why accident victims should have an attorney on their side handling their parking lot accident claim or lawsuit.
Who’s at fault in a parking lot accident?
In most cases, the driver who hit another vehicle and caused the collision is the at-fault party. However, there are certain circumstances when the other driver (the one who was hit) could be at fault. In particular, if the other driver was drunk or under the influence of drugs, that could impact who is legally at fault for causing the collision.
Another complicated legal situation when determining fault in a parking lot accident may involve two cars backing up at the same time into each other. In such a situation, there can be a lot of debate about who was at fault in this type of rear-end parking lot accident. An experienced attorney can advise an accident victim about their legal rights.
Who determines who’s at fault?
You might think the police officer investigating a parking lot collision determines who was at fault. But often, the insurance companies for the two drivers involved in such an accident have the most to say.
It’s also important to remember that New Hampshire has an at-fault car insurance system. This means the at-fault party (often, the insurance company for the at-fault driver) is responsible for paying for the accident-related expenses for all injury victims.
As you might expect, the at-fault party’s insurance company will often do everything it can to pay injury victims as little as possible or nothing at all. That’s why accident victims should have a lawyer on their side, demanding the money they deserve.
How a New Hampshire car accident attorney can help
Dealing with insurance companies after a parking lot accident can be much more complicated than many might expect. This is especially true if someone sustained a serious injury (such as a concussion or whiplash) in their parking lot accident. Because there’s often a lot of money at stake, insurance companies will often do everything they can to deny accident claims.
Our experienced New Hampshire car accident lawyers at Burns, Bryant, Cox, Rockefeller & Durkin, P.A. know how to deal with insurance companies. Whether it’s negotiating the best possible settlement offer or filing a lawsuit seeking damages (financial compensation), you can count on us to vigorously fight for your rights every step of the way.
Discover what we can do for you. Contact us and schedule an appointment with a New Hampshire car accident attorney at our law firm. We have offices conveniently located in Dover and Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
