Houston’s shopping centers, stadiums, movie theaters, schools, and apartment complexes are a dangerous breeding ground for auto collisions. These fender bender hotspots mixed with the holiday season are a recipe for disaster yielding serious injuries and fatalities for drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians in the fourth largest city of the United States. 

Indeed, Texas holiday periods prove to be the worst. 

The Texas Department of Transportation reported that December 2019 was the deadliest month for the State of Texas. And each holiday period in Texas for the year 2019 contained no less than 24 fatal accidents.

When you find yourself in a car crash in a parking lot or parking garage, it’s smart to seek advice from a skilled Houston car accident attorney at Johnson Garcia, LLP. We can help you explore the next steps you should take. 

Types of parking lot accidents in Houston

Auto accidents in parking lots and garages come in several forms. Understanding the type of parking lot accident can assist your injury lawyer with investigating the accident and determining fault. 

These are the most common types of parking lot accidents:

  • Rear-end collision
  • Back-up or back-out accident
  • Hit-and-run accident (hitting a pedestrian, or an unattended, parked vehicle)
  • Side-swipe accident

Causes of car accidents in Houston parking facilities

While car crashes sometimes happen unintentionally, they can be avoided with safe driving practices. 

Unfortunately, car accidents are often the result of a driver’s lack of concern for safety, which can be considered negligence. 

Depending on the unique situation, the injured person may be able to seek compensation because of someone’s failure to drive responsibly in a parking lot, particularly for these reasons:

 

A recent example of a parking lot accident shows just how dangerous parking lots can be, even in the comfort of your own neighborhood.

In 2018, a 3-year-old boy was hit in the parking lot of a Houston apartment complex while riding his bike. Tragically, the boy died in the parking lot.  

What to do after a parking lot accident in Houston

Security camera to capture Houston parking lot car accidents.
After experiencing a parking lot car accident, look around for nearby security cameras for evidence in your injury claim.

Due to the growth of the city, some Houston establishments do not have enough parking spaces for the number of cars entering and exiting the facility. The narrow size of parking spaces and parking lots pose another problem.

A car crash in a parking lot is never timely and is enough to frustrate any driver. Here’s what to do after experiencing a vehicle collision in a parking lot:

  1. Stay calm
  2. Remain at the scene
  3. Take pictures or video of the vehicle and the surrounding area
  4. Exchange insurance information
  5. Call the police
  6. Seek medical attention for overlooked car accident injuries
  7. Look for video or security cameras 
  8. Contact your insurance company
  9. Speak with a trusted car accident attorney in Houston

 

Taking all of these steps is crucial when pursuing a car accident claim. Performing this work in the beginning helps to make the legal process flow smoothly and quickly.  

How to establish fault for a parking garage collision

A Houston auto accident attorney who has years of experience will establish liability by reviewing two key aspects of a car accident case:

  • Who had the right-of-way
  • Whether both cars were moving

 

In addition to reviewing those two details of the case to determine negligence, evidence such as photos of the vehicles and of the scene of the accident can help prove and confirm fault. 

While helping the Houston car collision lawyer find fault, you should understand that no parking lot crash is the same. Every accident carries its own set of differing factors that affect the outcome of the case. 

As such, speaking to a friend or family member about their past experiences in a parking lot car accident won’t necessarily help your unique situation. For instance, in your loved one’s accident, the car may have been parked when it was hit. Or it’s possible your vehicle accident may have happened during the afternoon while your loved one’s happened at night. 

File your parking lot case before the Texas state deadline

Don’t sit on your chance to recover damages from the parking lot accident. The types of damages you may be able to recoup include:

  • Auto body damage
  • Cost of medical expenses
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of income

Parking lot accident laws in Texas

Texas law states car accident claims must be filed within 2 years of the date of the accident. Without pursuing the car accident lawsuit in a timely manner, you run the risk of losing your right to bring a lawsuit against the person who caused the accident.

When you’re up against the clock trying to decide how to pursue legal action due to an accident in a parking lot, the Houston car accident attorneys at Johnson Garcia LLP can help preserve your rights to file. This includes a car damaged in an apartment parking lot, and a fender bender in a parking lot.

Talk to a Houston car accident attorney about your parking lot accident claim

If you’re suffering from injuries due to a car accident in a parking lot, you may be entitled to be compensated for your loss. Now is the time to speak to a Houston car accident lawyer at Johnson Garcia LLP. Our accident attorneys will work on your behalf to navigate the case, gather the necessary evidence and documentation, and help you get the best possible benefit for yourself and your family.