When the drivers of two cars run into each other in a parking lot, it can be difficult to determine if either was more at fault. Even if one of them did cause the accident, this would be difficult to prove without witnesses if that driver disputes the allegation. Claims adjusters with Insurance Services in Winston Salem NC can handle the tasks involved with sorting out fault and getting the damage paid for.
Determining Liability
In most cases, Insurance Services in Winston Salem NC consider parking lot accidents to have equal fault assigned to both drivers unless solo responsibility is obvious. One person is liable if he or she backed out of a space without paying attention and struck an approaching vehicle, since the vehicle, traveling in the lane has the right of way. Also, moving diagonally across a parking lot as a shortcut instead of using the lanes may be considered as a fault.
Another instance in which a driver may be considered at fault is someone turning into a parking lot and striking another car moving nearby. These situations can be nearly impossible to figure out regarding responsibility, so the insurers are likely to assign mutual and equal liability.
Reporting the Collision
After a parking lot incident, a driver can call his or her agency to report the accident. That might be Darst Insurance, where an agent will ask specific questions and make a note of all the details. If this driver was at fault, the liability coverage would pay for the damage to the other vehicle. If this policyholder has collision coverage, repairs for the damage to his or her car will be paid over and above the deductible amount.
Preventing Collisions in Parking Lots
Parking lots are some of the most common places for fender benders. Nevertheless, collisions are relatively easy to avoid if everyone moves slowly and pays attention. Hazardous behavior like traveling more than five miles per hour, cutting through the lot instead of following the lanes, and not watching carefully when moving in reverse are three of the typical factors involved in these incidents.
