Parking lots and garages can be busy, congested places, especially during the holidays. Drivers are looking for the perfect parking spot. Pedestrians are trying to get in and out of stores. And surprise obstacles such as bicycles or rogue shopping carts can wreak havoc, even at low speeds.
With all this activity and chaos in a small area, it’s no wonder that many car accidents happen in parking lots. If you get into one, follow these steps to stay safe and protect your finances.
[See: 10 Unexpected Costs of Driving.]
1. Call for medical help. If you or anyone at the scene of a parking lot accident is hurt or seems dazed, call 911. Sometimes injuries aren’t apparent right away, so it’s better to be safe and see a doctor promptly.
Emotions and tempers can flare after getting into an accident, so try to keep yourself and other people at the scene calm. Never get into an argument about what happened or who was at fault — or even admit that the accident was your fault. Just be polite and let the other party know that your insurance company will work it out.
2. Call the police. After checking for injuries, call the police and file a report — even if it’s a minor accident and no one claims injury. A formal report is important if you or the other party are injured. Without a police report, it may be your word against the other driver’s word.
However, it’s possible the police may not come to the scene of a parking lot accident if no one is injured, if the damage is too minor or if there’s extreme weather in the area, such as a blizzard or severe storm.
Even if an officer doesn’t come to the scene of the accident, reporting it is still important. Some states require you to report any incident if the damage is estimated to be more than a certain amount, such as $500 or $1,000. The authorities can instruct you to go to the nearest police station or how to file a report online.
[See: How to Save Money By Ditching Your Car.]
3. Get information. After you call the police, gather key information about the other driver including his or her:
— Name (and any passenger names)
— Driver’s license number
— Insurance information
— Phone number
— License plate number
If the other person is uncooperative, or you believe that he or she doesn’t have auto insurance, get as much information as you can. Also, look around for witnesses and get their names and contact information in case you need them later on.
If you hit a parked car, and the owner is nowhere in sight, record information about the vehicle and leave a note with your contact information. Otherwise, you’re considered a hit-and-run driver and could face fines or even jail time, depending on state law.
4. Take photos of the accident scene. Before you move vehicles involved in a crash, take photos including:
— Vehicle damage
— Broken glass
— Skid marks
— Property damage
Some insurance companies have mobile apps that allow you to upload accident photos when you make a claim.
5. Contact your insurance company. If you’re involved in a minor accident, you might wonder whether you should report it to your insurance company or just work it out with the other driver. Note that most insurance policies require you to report all accidents because damage or injuries could be much worse than you think. If you get involved in a lawsuit related to an unreported accident later on, your insurance company could deny your claim.
The only time it might be smart to avoid making a claim is if an accident happens in your vehicle, on your property, and the only damage is to your property. For instance, if you back into your own garage door, or a tree limb falls on your vehicle.
You should contact your insurer if you’ve been in an accident where the other driver is at fault, even if he or she doesn’t have any insurance. Depending on your policy, you may have uninsured motorist coverage that would compensate you.
If you’re at fault, you’ll be required to pay your deductible before the insurer pays for your vehicle repairs. You may also be assigned points for the accident, which typically causes your insurance rate to increase at renewal.
[See: Basic Money Lessons You (Probably) Missed in High School.]
How to avoid a parking lot car accident. To avoid getting into a parking lot car accident in the first place, keep these tips in mind:
— Drive slowly.
— Stay alert for cars and pedestrians cutting across parking lanes.
— Use turn signals for the benefit of other drivers and pedestrians.
— Choose a parking space where you can pull forward to leave the space instead of backing out.
— Choose a parking space at the end of a row, next to an island or in front of a light pole when possible to protect your car.
— Don’t park in a compact space if you’re not driving a compact car — and never take up two spaces by parking over a line.
— Look 180 degrees in both directions before backing out of a parking space instead of relying on a mirror or rearview camera.
— Park in spots farther away from a store because it may be easier to avoid traffic.
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How to Handle a Parking Lot Accident originally appeared on usnews.com
