Ponchatoula Parking Lot Accident Lawyer
Despite the slow-moving flow of traffic, parking lots are the location of many serious accidents. The confluence of cars and pedestrians creates scenarios ripe for inadvertent bumps or full-blown crashes.
These can be slight or serious, but either way, you may leave the scene with injuries or damage to your automobile or yourself. If you have been in an accident like this, consider consulting a Ponchatoula parking lot accident lawyer. With assistance, you could file a successful insurance claim or car accident lawsuit to seek compensation for the harms you have suffered.
Causes of Ponchatoula Parking Lot Accidents
Parking lots or garages are often tight spaces with blind corners. Pedestrians may be distracted by phones, children, or handling purchased items. Drivers may also be distracted by their phones whether it is by texting, using social media, e-mailing, or programming GPS applications. Some everyday driver conduct that commonly causes parking lot accidents includes:
- Cutting across spaces or lanes
- Driving too fast
- Failing to yield
- Failing to use directional signals
- Failing to obey stop signs
- Failing to look or look backward and to the sides when reversing
- Failing to notice children or baby-strollers
Driving carelessly might result in a mere fender-bender or a much more severe accident, potentially leading to grievous personal injury. An attorney could investigate the circumstances of the incident and assess a plaintiff’s options for pursuing recovery.
State Insurance Law
Because Ponchatoula parking lot accidents are often minor, it is worthwhile for prospective plaintiffs to understand the basics of automobile insurance requirements and how they might be able to collect from the at-fault driver. Every motorist must maintain the following liability policies under the law:
- $15,000 bodily injury per person in an accident
- $30,000 bodily injury for all persons in an accident
- $25,000 property damage liability in an accident
- Uninsured motorist coverage not mandatory
Coverage for bodily injury includes medical expenses stemming from the accident and compensation for wages lost during the period of injury and recovery. A note about automobile liability coverage bears mentioning. Under Louisiana’s “no pay, no play” law, a motorist without the requisite coverage may not recover the first $15,000 of bodily injury insurance and first $25,000 of property damage, even if they were not at fault.
Additionally, while uninsured motorist coverage is not obligatory, it may be useful if a parking lot accident involves an uninsured motorist. When applicable, this policy kicks in to satisfy what the at-fault driver’s insurance should have covered within the policy’s limits. Underinsurance could be useful in covering the difference between policy limits and the injured victim’s costs.
Call a Ponchatoula Parking Lot Accident Attorney Today
A car accident, even a minor one, might bring your life to a grinding halt. Beyond the financial strain and physical injuries from the accident, individuals and families may have to face emotional trauma as well. A personal injury attorney could help you seek the financial compensation you are owed. Contact a Ponchatoula parking lot accident lawyer today to share your story and have an attorney evaluate your legal options.