Parking Lot Accident Lawyer in New Orleans
A New Orleans pedestrian attorney can protect your rights after being hit in a parking lot
Every day, people across New Orleans pull into parking lots to run errands, grab a bite to eat, or head to work. It’s a routine part of life, the kind of thing you don’t think twice about. But parking lot accidents are one of the most overlooked dangers when driving. You might assume a low-speed impact in a parking lot is no big deal. But when a two-ton vehicle backs into a pedestrian or collides with another car, the consequences can be serious.
People suffer broken bones, head injuries, and sometimes injuries that never fully heal. These incidents often involve some of the most vulnerable members of our community: children, seniors, and people who were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Attorney John S. Williams has seen how parking lot accidents can change lives. If you’ve been hurt in a parking lot in New Orleans or anywhere in Louisiana, you have the right to seek compensation. Contact us to learn more about your legal options during a free consultation.
“I had an excellent experience with the Law Offices of John S. Williams. I relied on their legal assistance and consulting. Mr. Williams did not hesitate to take on my challenging case. He set reasonable expectations from the start and kept me informed throughout the entire process. Mr. Williams also was extremely trustworthy and I was very happy with the outcome of my case. I would highly recommend John S. Williams to anyone looking for a top of the line lawyer.” – T.R., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
How do parking lot accidents involving cars backing up happen?
Accidents in parking lots happen more often than you might think. When a driver backs out of a space, they are supposed to look for pedestrians, check their mirrors, and proceed with caution. But in real life, that’s not always how it goes. Here are some of the most common reasons why these crashes happen.
Poor visibility
Some parking lots in New Orleans are tight and crowded. Older lots often weren’t built with today’s bigger vehicles in mind. SUVs, trucks, and large sedans create more blind spots than smaller cars. Add in high curbs, signage, or overgrown bushes, and visibility gets even worse. A driver may not see a pedestrian or oncoming car until it’s too late.
Distracted driving
This one is all too common. A driver might be looking at their phone, fumbling with the GPS, or turning to talk to a passenger. They shift into reverse without scanning their surroundings. In a split second, they hit someone who was simply walking to their car. In Louisiana, drivers are required to stay alert and aware behind the wheel, even when backing up in a parking lot.
Failure to yield to foot traffic
Many drivers treat parking lots as their own personal domain. They forget that pedestrians have a right to walk through the lot safely. When someone is backing out, the law expects them to yield to both oncoming cars and pedestrians. Failing to do so isn’t just inconsiderate; it can also be considered negligence.
Speeding in parking lots
Even though there may not be posted speed limits in some lots, speeding is still a real problem. When drivers go too fast for the layout of the lot, they don’t have enough time to stop if someone steps behind their vehicle. A slow-moving car can stop quickly. A car going too fast in reverse is much harder to control and much more dangerous.
Who has the right-of-way in a parking lot?
The rules in parking lots can feel a bit murky. Unlike roads, where stop signs and signals tell us what to do, parking lots are often governed by a mix of common sense and general duty of care. Still, there are expectations that drivers must follow.
Pedestrians versus drivers backing out
Generally, pedestrians have the right-of-way in parking lots. If you’re walking behind a car that starts to back out, the driver should yield to you. The same goes for anyone walking along the main lane between rows of parked cars. Drivers are expected to check before moving.
But pedestrian accidents happen when drivers assume the coast is clear or don’t see someone behind them. In these cases, the driver who was reversing is typically found at fault, especially if the pedestrian was walking in a clearly visible path.
Local laws and private property rules
In Louisiana, most parking lots are considered private property. That means local traffic laws may not apply in the same way they do on public roads. However, drivers are still required to use reasonable care. That means they must act the way a careful, responsible person would in the same situation. If they don’t, they can be held legally responsible.
Differences from public roadways
On public roads, there are clearer rules and more enforcement. In parking lots, it’s a little more flexible, but not when it comes to safety. Even without stop signs or crosswalks, drivers can’t ignore their surroundings. The basic rule is simple: if your actions behind the wheel are careless and hurt someone, you can be held accountable.
Common injuries from parking lot pedestrian accidents
Parking lot crashes might not seem like a big deal, but don’t let the low speed fool you. When a car hits a person, even at just five or ten miles per hour, it can cause real harm.
Fractures, head injuries, and soft tissue trauma
It doesn’t take much force to break a bone. A pedestrian who is struck and falls to the ground might suffer a broken wrist or hip. If their head hits the pavement, the results can be devastating. Concussions and traumatic brain injuries often occur in parking lot accidents, especially if the pedestrian is knocked off balance and falls.
Soft tissue injuries like sprains, strains, and bruises are also common. These injuries might not show up on an X-ray but can still cause long-term pain and limited mobility.
Long-term complications for seniors or children
Elderly pedestrians are particularly at risk. A broken hip can mean months of recovery, and in some cases, the person may never fully regain their independence. Children are more likely to be struck because they are shorter and harder for drivers to see. Injuries at a young age can have lasting consequences that affect growth, development, and overall health.
How is fault determined in these cases?
Determining fault in a parking lot accident takes a careful look at the facts. Unlike crashes on the road, these incidents often depend on small details. Attorney John S. Williams will know where to look and what kind of evidence can prove your case. Here’s what he’ll gather to help prove your case:
Surveillance footage or dashcams
Many parking lots in New Orleans are monitored by security cameras. This footage can help show what really happened. Dashcam video from other vehicles nearby can also be useful. If the video shows the driver didn’t look before backing out or was moving too fast, that can help support your claim.
Witness statements
People who saw the pedestrian accident happen can offer valuable insight. Maybe someone saw the driver looking at their phone. Maybe they heard a screech before the impact. Witnesses can confirm details that make a difference in how liability is assigned.
Parking lot layout and signage
Where the pedestrian accident took place matters. Was the pedestrian in a crosswalk? Was the driver backing into a main travel lane? Was there a sign instructing vehicles to stop or yield? The design of the lot and the presence of warning signs can all influence who was at fault.
Speed and angle of impact
If a driver was moving too fast or didn’t stop after seeing someone, that shows negligence. The point of impact on the pedestrian or the vehicle can also help reconstruct the accident and clarify what happened.
Will insurance companies shift the blame onto me?
Under Louisiana’s comparative fault rule, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found to be 20 percent responsible for the accident, you would still recover 80 percent of the damages.
Insurance companies often use shared fault to lower payouts. They may argue you were distracted or should have seen the vehicle. The Law Offices of John S. Williams can push back against these tactics and make sure fault is assigned fairly based on the evidence.
Can you sue if hit in a parking lot?
If you were hurt because a driver was careless, you have the right to seek compensation. You may be able to recover money for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Every Louisiana driver is required to carry minimum liability coverage. If the person who hit you was backing out without paying attention, their insurance policy should cover your injuries. You can file a claim directly with the insurance company, or you can pursue a lawsuit if necessary.
Sometimes, the design or condition of the parking lot contributes to the accident. Poor lighting, lack of signage, confusing layouts, or broken pavement can all play a role. In those cases, the owner or operator of the property may also be liable. These claims fall under premises liability law. To file this type of claim, you must show that the property owner failed to maintain a reasonably safe environment. Attorney John S. Williams can thoroughly investigate your parking lot pedestrian accident, identify the responsible party, and fight to hold them accountable.
Hurt in a parking lot? Get a lawyer who will put your case front and center
There’s no excuse for hitting a pedestrian. Whether the driver was texting, speeding, or ignoring the rules of the road, their negligence caused real harm. You’re left dealing with pain, missed work, medical bills, and emotional stress. On top of that, the insurance company wants to make you fight for every dollar.
That’s not right and you don’t have to take it. Attorney John S. Williams believes in standing up for everyday people and anyone whose life has been turned upside down by a careless driver. You didn’t cause this. You shouldn’t be left with the burden.
We’ll gather the right evidence, talk to witnesses, and deal with the insurance company so you can focus on healing. Plus, our legal services won’t cost you anything upfront. We work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win. The consultation is free, the advice is honest, and the fight is real. Contact us to set up a free, confidential case consultation.