While parking lots can be congested, especially at rush hours and in the holiday season, most of us rarely consider the possibility of being involved in parking lot accidents. As a result, we are often unsure of how to approach parking lot accidents in the aftermath.
If you or someone you care about was involved in an Atlanta parking lot accident recently, we encourage you to call S. Burke Law. We understand how difficult it is to get into a car accident, and the stress it causes. It is, for this reason, we offer free consultations. Your primary concerns are making repairs to your car and covering medical expenses while determining how to make ends meet. Give us a call at 404-842-7838, and we will walk you through your options.
Ensure Everyone is Safe
The health and safety of everyone involved should be the primary focus after any accident. And while parking lot accidents generally occur at lower speeds and seem less severe than a typical accident, this should still be your first concern. While you may be emotional and angry following an accident, you must remember the importance of calling for medical attention after an accident.
Ensuring everyone's safety also includes moving your vehicles to safe places. Many parking lots have streams of pedestrians and vehicles moving up and down them. Be sure to avoid any other mishaps by moving your car out of the way.
Call the Police
Calling the police is standard practice for accidents on the road, and the same applies to parking lot accidents. Some people suggest proceeding after an accident without involving the police. S. Burke Law does not suggest this course of action. Calling the police after any accident is important for a variety of reasons.
If you or one of your passengers suffer injuries, calling the police is important because it documents the cause of the accident. The police write up an official report after your accident. The report documents the time and place of the accident. It also documents each party’s account of the accident and includes any witness statements. All of this information helps a potential personal injury claim.
Exchange Personal Information
Once the police arrive on the scene and document everything, you should exchange contact information. To be safe, S. Burke Law recommends collecting the following:
- Driver’s license number
- Address
- Name of the driver and passengers
- Phone numbers
- License plate number
- Insurance information
In addition to exchanging personal information with the other party in the accident, you should also seek out any witnesses. They may provide testimonies which could benefit your case. Exchanging information with them could be helpful as well.
Take Photos of the Accident
Once you check on everyone and call the police, it is a smart idea to take photos of the scene. Photos help corroborate your account of the accident as well as the accounts of witnesses, and more information never hurts. We suggest trying to grab the following photos of the following:
- Scratches and other damage to your vehicle
- Property damage
- Skid marks
Contact Your Insurance Company
No matter how minor it may appear to be, it is important to call your insurance company after an accident. The first reason is that most companies require you to report even minor accidents. If you do not, it is possible they could deny your claim if you attempt one too long after the incident.
The second reason is that, as said above, it begins establishing your case. Establishing the accident early and documenting the damage and injuries helps you in the short and the long run, particularly if you consider hiring an attorney and going through the stages of filing a personal injury claim.
Call an Atlanta Personal Injury Attorney
Accidents happen every day, and your primary concerns are getting your health, medical expenses, and vehicle damages in order. In addition to those thoughts swirling around in your head, you might also be wondering if you should consider hiring a personal injury attorney.
One of the reasons many people hesitate when hiring personal injury attorneys is the cost, particularly if they are unsure of the strength of their case, but that is why S. Burke Law offers free consultations. Our firm encourages Atlanta natives to reach out to us with no obligation for representation. Our primary concern is guiding you through the process, so you can make an informed decision. If you decide to work with us, we promise to represent you to the best of our abilities.
Call S. Burke Law at 404-842-7838 for your free consultation.