Parking Lot Accident Lawyer in Massachusetts

Parking Lot Accidents: Not Minor by Default

Despite the low speeds typically associated with parking lots, parking lot accidents cause serious injuries every day. Drivers backing out of spaces, failing to yield at internal intersections, or cutting through parking areas at unsafe speeds strike pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles with consequences that are far from trivial. Attorney Jeffrey C. Lavey represents parking lot accident victims throughout Massachusetts and pursues the full compensation these injuries require.

Who Has the Right of Way in a Parking Lot

Parking lots have an internal hierarchy of right of way. Traffic in the main driving lanes, the feeder lanes that lead directly from the entrance, has priority. Vehicles in the smaller access aisles that run between rows of parking spaces must yield to feeder lane traffic. Vehicles backing out of parking spaces must yield to all moving vehicles in the access aisle. A driver who ignores these rules and causes a collision is at fault for the resulting accident.

Pedestrian Safety in Parking Lots

Pedestrians in parking lots are particularly vulnerable, especially in high-traffic retail areas where drivers are frequently distracted by looking for spaces rather than watching for people on foot. Drivers have a duty to maintain adequate observation for pedestrians at all times in parking areas. Backing drivers, in particular, must ensure the path is clear before reversing. A pedestrian struck in a parking lot has a strong claim against the inattentive driver, and in some cases against the property owner if poor lighting, inadequate markings, or design defects contributed.

Parking Garage Accidents and Premises Liability

In addition to driver negligence claims, injuries in parking garages may give rise to premises liability claims against the garage operator. Inadequate lighting that contributes to accidents, structural hazards such as low clearances without adequate warning, slippery surfaces without appropriate warnings, and security failures that result in assault are all examples of garage operator negligence. Attorney Lavey evaluates both driver negligence and premises liability in every parking garage accident case.

Evidence in Parking Lot Accident Cases

Parking lots and garages are typically covered by security camera systems. These recordings may capture the accident itself or the events immediately preceding it. This footage must be preserved quickly, most systems overwrite recordings within days. Attorney Lavey requests preservation of security footage from the property owner as soon as he is retained. Witness information, police report details, and photographs of the scene are also important in every case.

Frequently Asked Questions