Car accidents always carry the potential to result in fatal injuries, even in seemingly safe locations, such as parking lots. Vehicles moving at only a few miles per hour can still impart thousands of pounds of force and threaten the lives of other people. Even worse are situations where drivers speed through these places, endangering everyone around them.
A driver who is at fault for a collision may be responsible for providing compensation to all parties who suffer harm. In situations involving death, this compensation can include payments to the families of the deceased. These payments can include compensation for medical bills, funeral costs, lost family earnings, and lost companionship. Still, it is only possible to collect these damages if injured parties can prove that another driver was responsible for the crash.
A Los Angeles parking lot accident lawyer could take the lead in pursuing your case. We work with family members to evaluate how death has affected their lives and pursue all responsible parties for the compensation necessary to set things right. Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices are ready to fight for you. Contact us today at (888) 522-6291 for your free consultation.
Driving in a Parking Lot Comes with a Duty of Care
Parking lot accidents can be especially dangerous. Drivers may believe that once they leave the open road, they can relax. In other scenarios, the hunt for a parking spot or a rush to enter a store may leave drivers distracted.
Unfortunately for these drivers, their obligations to protect others while behind the wheel does not stop when entering a parking lot. According to California Civil Jury Instruction (CACI) 700, all persons must use reasonable care when driving a vehicle. As applied to parking lots, this may include:
- Driving at an appropriate speed
- Watching for pedestrians in the aisles
- Checking rear-view mirrors before backing out of a space
- Yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks
- Refraining from cell phone use or other distractions
A Los Angeles parking lot accident lawyer is prepared to perform a full investigation into the facts that led to the death. This process can include gathering a police report, talking with witnesses, obtaining security camera footage, and hiring an accident reconstruction analyst.
When a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Is Appropriate
Sometimes, parking lot crashes result in death. When this death is the fault of another driver, the decedent’s family has the option to pursue a lawsuit for compensation.
But when is this lawsuit appropriate? Under California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) §377.60, qualifying parties can file wrongful death lawsuits if they lost a loved one due to negligence. Failing to exercise reasonable care while behind the wheel of a car in a parking lot certainly fits under this definition.
The statute also provides guidance concerning the parties who have the right to pursue these cases. In normal situations, the victim who suffers a personal injury has the lone authority to demand compensation. Of course, if the victim has passed away, this is impossible. Instead, the law empowers spouses, children, parents, and personal representatives to serve as plaintiffs in these lawsuits.
These parties pursue a wrongful death claim for the sole benefit of the deceased’s estate. The legal team at Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices can help family members identify the proper people who can pursue these cases. Reach out to us today at (888) 522-6291 to learn more.
Potential Forms of Compensation After Deadly Parking Lot Collisions
The goal of a personal injury case is always to seek the compensation needed to make victims financially whole again. In addition, surviving family members may desire payments to cover their own financial and emotional losses.
One form of possible compensation is payments for direct economic losses. These typically include outstanding medical bills, funeral costs, and damage to the family’s vehicle involved in the crash. In addition, economic losses could include lost income if they relied on their loved one for financial support. Especially in situations where a decedent was a major breadwinner for a family, a case could demand compensation for lost expected income over a period of years.
Other potential forms of compensation are non-economic damages, also called general damages. These are ways in which the event has affected the lives of surviving family members. For example, the loss of a parent could deprive children of future guidance and emotional support. Similarly, the loss of a husband could result in a wife losing these valuable contributions. A lawyer can help measure these non-economic and economic losses.
Wrongful Deaths Due to Parking Lot Accidents Entitle Family Members to Compensation
Wrongful death describes any situation where a party’s carelessness leads to an accident that results in death. Sadly, one common example of this situation is when a driver fails to take the appropriate care in a parking lot and endangers other people. If another driver is found to be responsible for your loved one’s passing, they could be held financially accountable for your damages.
A Los Angeles parking lot accident lawyer is prepared to take the lead in your case. Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices can work with family members to evaluate how the incident has affected every member of your family. They can also take the lead in proving that another driver’s actions were the sole cause of the collision. Ideally, a case can end with a fair settlement. However, we are prepared to take your case to court, if necessary, to bring your family the compensation they need. Give us a call today at (888) 522-6291 for your free consultation.
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