Avoid Getting in a Parking Lot Crash While Holiday Shopping in Florida

If you had to guess how often car accidents happen in parking lots, you may assume that the number would be low. However, you may be surprised to learn that one out of five collisions are reported to occur in parking lots. These crashes also increase in frequency during the holiday season as people are rushing to get last minute holiday gifts or prepare for a holiday meal. If you or a loved one got injured in such an accident, then you should consult with a Florida car accident lawyer.

Baker Legal Team has extensive experience helping clients who have been in parking lot crashes. Before you begin the Florida claims process, it is essential that you understand what causes these types of accidents, what steps you should take after one occurs, and how a car accident lawyer may be able to help.

Why are Parking Lots Dangerous During the Holidays?

When you think about it, there’s a lot going on in parking lots. Some vehicles are entering, some are exiting, and pedestrians are also coming and going all over the lot, sidewalk, and crosswalks. All that chaos means we should be practicing extra vigilance in parking lots.

Sadly, the reverse is often true. Drivers let their guards down when they’re in a parking lot. Drivers may not properly check behind them when they begin to reverse, and drivers are also more likely to be looking at their phones, too. Due to the decreased speed limit, drivers and pedestrians often get lulled into a false sense of security. The holiday season is notorious for being the worst time for parking lot accidents. If you want to avoid getting into one this season, then the best thing you can do is stay aware and alert in every parking lot this year regardless if you’re driving or walking through it.

Important Steps to Take After a Parking Lot Crash

After your accident, it’s natural to attempt to minimize what happened. Although you may be feeling overwhelmed or frightened, you should resist that urge for your safety and well being. After a parking lot crash, you should take the following steps:

• You need to immediately analyze what happened and who was injured. 
• It’s often in your best interests to reach out to the police, who will then arrive at the scene and help get any injured party the help they need.
• Once that’s taken care of, the police will officially document what happened by creating a police report and you should give them your statement. 

They’ll begin to investigate what caused the accident, collect evidence, and take down everyone’s contact information. Law enforcement will secure the scene, and help you get your vehicle towed if necessary. They’ll also talk to the business owner to potentially get video evidence of the accident. This help is invaluable if you were injured in the accident. If your injuries are severe, then the police will take care of everything while you get the medical care you need.Once you’ve gotten medical care and the initial aftermath of the accident is in the past, you need to evaluate your losses. Consider how much of a financial loss you endured by getting medical care, fixing your vehicle, or missing time off work. An experienced car accident lawyer may be able to help you calculate the amount in damages you may be owed for the losses you have suffered as a result of the parking lot accident.  

Qualities to Look For in a Florida Car Accident Lawyer

A quality car accident lawyer in Florida might be the difference between you getting the compensation you’re owed to pay off your losses and getting nothing at all. Often, you only get one shot at justice, so you need to make sure you find the best accident lawyer before you argue your case. The following are qualities you should look for when hiring a Florida car accident lawyer to help with your claim:

• A Local Florida Lawyer: A local lawyer will be more informed about the nuances and specifics of the law in your state and county.
• Experience Building Car Accident Claims: Having a lawyer who has specific experience dealing with car accidents or pedestrian accidents is crucial. 
• Testimonials: They should have positive reviews, testimonials, and past case results
• Availability: they should have the time to handle your case. The last thing you want is to hire an awesome lawyer who is too overwhelmed to give your claim the time and effort it deserves!

Baker legal team has these qualities and more when it comes to helping our clients build a strong car accident injury claim. 

Get Help From a Florida Car Accident Lawyer

If you experienced a parking lot crash while holiday shopping in Florida, then it’s important to seek out medical care. Once your physical health is taken care of, there are other steps you need to take to protect your rights. If your crash caused significant losses, then it’s a good idea to utilize your right to hire the best accident lawyer you can find to represent you. Once you do, your lawyer will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

Baker Legal Team is proud to offer clients the chance to work with board-certified attorney, Robert Baker. Attorney Baker is proud to provide clients with the award-winning representation they deserve. Reach out to our experts by filling out  our online form today or call 561-320-0000.