Who Has the Right of Way in a Parking Lot?

You need to know who has the right of way in a parking lot if you want to avoid accidents that permanently put a damper on your financial well-being. More often than not, the right of way depends on your position in a parking lot, signals in that lot, and surrounding signs.

The car accident lawyers in Phoenix know that right-of-way standards are far from consistent between parking lots. That’s why we offer to step in and help you recover after a parking lot accident. We can help you hold negligent drivers accountable for a violated right of way, thereby allowing you to demand financial support from that party as you recover.

How to Determine Right of Way in a Parking Lot

In an ideal world, there would be a universal standard for assigning the right of way in parking lots. Instead, right-of-way privileges depend on who is present in a parking lot, what signs are in the surrounding area, and the flow of traffic. 

When it comes time to determine who has the right of way in a parking lot, first look at signs. Is there a designated sign telling you that one person or another should get right-of-way privileges? If so, abide by the sign.

Next, consider nearby feeder lanes. A parking lot’s “feeder lane” describes the lane snaking through the parking lot. If you’re in the feeder lane, you have right-of-way privileges. If you’re parked, you must look out for people in the feeder lane, as they have the right to move before you do.

Last but not least, consider the thoroughfare lane. A thoroughfare lane connects the parking lot to one or more main roads. Drivers in the thoroughfare lane have right-of-way privileges that supersede the drivers in feeder lanes. 

For a free legal consultation, call 866-499-8989

What to Do After a Parking Lot Accident

As noted, there are a lot of factors that determine the right of way in a parking lot. Even if you understand and interpret these factors perfectly, the people around you might not. You may subsequently find yourself involved in a parking lot accident.

Parking lot accidents can involve cars in motion as well as stationary, unmanned cars. Should you get into an accident with a manned or unmanned vehicle, it’s in your best interest to take the following steps:

• Remain at the scene
• If anyone is seriously injured, call 911 and wait for emergency responders to arrive
• If you were hit, step out of your vehicle and collect the liable party’s insurance information
• Document the scene by taking photos and collecting statements from witnesses

If you hit someone else’s car and that person is not immediately available, make a reasonable effort to locate the driver. If you can’t find the driver, leave a note with your contact information in a visible place on the damaged car.

If the damage to your or another person’s vehicle exceeds a certain dollar value, you may be obligated to create a written report about your accident. As it’s difficult to assess the dollar value of accident damages while still at the scene, we encourage you to use your best judgment when assessing your losses.

Taking Legal Action After a Parking Lot Accident

Arizona requires all drivers to maintain car insurance when they hit the road. Drivers who’ve invested in the state’s minimum liability insurance and/or additional coverage should have enough coverage to cover their repairs after a parking lot accident.

Unfortunately, not everyone on the road has enough insurance to cover your expenses. Some parties may even try to deny their role in a parking lot accident to avoid taking responsibility for your recovery. What do you do in these cases? We recommend that you contact a Phoenix car accident lawyer.

Car accident lawyers can help you file a personal injury claim against the party responsible for your parking lot accident. Filing a claim does not mean you have to go to trial to get the financial support you deserve. Instead, claims allow you to negotiate with a liable party for direct financial aid.

You can meet with a Zanes Law representative for FREE after a parking lot accident. Our attorneys can break down the pros and cons of insurance claims, personal injury claims, and other forms of post-accident support.

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Contact a Phoenix Car Accident Lawyer for Legal Support

Zanes Law understands that it’s not easy to recover from a parking lot accident. Because you may not know who had the right of way in a parking lot, you may not know if you have the right to ask for support while you’re recovering. Fortunately, our Phoenix personal injury lawyers are here to help.

If you want to investigate your recent losses, you can connect with our team for FREE. Personal injury case evaluations allow you to discuss the circumstances that led to your parking lot accident without committing to a case. Our team will only step in to help you with an insurance claim or personal injury case upon your asking.

You can contact us today to learn more about how our car accident services may benefit you.

Call or text 866-499-8989 or complete a
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