Contact an Orange County parking lot accident lawyer at Bisnar Chase today for expert help with your case. We have over 46 years of experience, winning more than $900 million for our clients. Having established a 99% success rate, our team of skilled attorneys is ready to fight and win for you.
The parking lot of a grocery store, beach, mall, or just about anywhere else people park their cars can be hazardous and chaotic, and it is one of the most common places car accidents happen. Parking lots are filled with cars, trucks, and motorcycles, not to mention the many people wanting to get in and out quickly.
This combination can establish a zone for traumatic experiences, expensive vehicle damages, and serious physical injuries.
The Best Parking Lot Accident Lawyers Near You in Orange County
Parking lots typically have fewer stop signs, lights, and other means used to control traffic. As a result, people often blame each other for accidents in parking lots, making these car accident cases harder to prove and settle. That’s why you need an award-winning law firm on your side. You can trust our team at Bisnar Chase to maximize your compensation.
- 2025 Law Firm of the Year
- A 99% success rate.
- Over $900 million recovered for our clients.
- Experienced trial lawyers, in business since 1978.
- Free consultation – no win no fee.
If you or a loved one has experienced a car accident, fender-bender, or personal injury due to a parking lot accident, call our experienced team of Orange County Personal Injury Attorneys for a free consultation at (949) 203-3814. You can also send us an email or use our 24/7 website live chat.
Parking Lot Accident Resources in Orange County
How Much Is a Parking Lot Car Accident Case Worth?
The average settlement amount for a car accident case in Orange County, California, depends on several critical factors, including the severity of your injuries, liability, insurance coverage limits for both parties, and the skill of your personal injury attorney.
Typical settlements by injury
- Whiplash: $5,000 – $22,000
- Mild-moderate concussion: $20,000–$30,000
- Knee or shoulder injury: $30,000–$120,000
- Fractured bones: $30,000-$100,000
- Moderate neck or back injury: $30,000-$100,000
- Herniated disc: $50,000 – $120,000+
- Spinal cord injury or back fracture: $500,000 – $1,000,000+
- Traumatic brain injury: $100,000+
- Severe spinal cord injury/paralysis: $1,000,000+
- Wrongful death: $1,000,000+
On average, minor injury claims resulting from a California car accident settle for around $8,000.00, while moderate injuries have an average settlement value of $50,000.00. Catastrophic injuries can lead to eight- to nine-figure settlements.
There are no guarantees; the recoverable amount will depend on the circumstances of your accident. However, Bisnar Chase maximizes the amount you can win. We recently won a case involving a car vs. motorcycle accident in Orange County. The verdict for our client was $3 million.
Factors Determining Parking Lot Accident Compensation
There are several key factors that influence the value of your personal injury claim in Orange County. These include:
- Medical expenses.
- Projected future treatment costs.
- Lost wages.
- Pain and suffering.
- Impacted quality of life.
- Property damage.
To maximize the potential settlement amount, the plaintiff must work with an experienced Orange County car accident attorney who can assess the case, handle negotiations with insurance companies, defeat the defendants, and fight for fair compensation.
The best way to maximize your compensation is to work with the best Orange County parking lot car accident lawyers in your area. Bisnar Chase is a top-rated personal injury law firm with decades of success. We take great pride in protecting the rights of clients in our community.
Contact one of our Orange County parking lot car injury lawyers today to determine the best route for your case. Call (949) 203-3814 for immediate help with your case.
Who Is Responsible for a Parking Lot Accident?
In some cases, the parking lot owner may bear some liability for poor design, lighting, or maintenance if the parking lot is determined to have contributed to the car accident.
Ultimately, car insurance companies investigate the details of a parking lot car accident, including vehicle damage, witness statements, and any available surveillance video, to determine who’s at fault.
Car accidents in parking lots can potentially involve premises liability claims against the property owner and typical car accident claims against the other driver. Here are the key considerations:
Driver Liability
- In most parking lot accidents, the at-fault driver is liable for damages, just like in accidents on public streets and roads.
- If the accident happened in a no-fault state, each driver’s insurance pays for the damage in minor accidents.
- Common causes include drivers backing out without looking, speeding, making improper turns, or driving the wrong way.
- Surveillance footage from the parking lot can provide evidence of driver fault.
Premises Liability
- The parking lot owner may be liable if their negligence contributed to the unsafe conditions that caused the accident.
Examples of owner negligence include:
- Inadequate lighting
- Uneven pavement
- Unclear parking space line
- Lack of signage
- Failure to remove snow/ice
If a settlement cannot be reached between the insurance companies and your lawyer, the case may go to court, where a final determination of liability is made.
If you were the victim of a no-fault accident, call a top-rated Orange County parking lot accident lawyer for a free consultation. Call 949-203-3814 today.
How Long After a Car Accident in California Can You File a Lawsuit?
In California, you have two years to bring a personal injury lawsuit following an auto collision. For claims involving property damage, you have three years.
There are some variations and exceptions to the rule. For example, a six-month personal injury statute of limitations applies when a government vehicle is involved.
We always advise injury victims to contact our team as soon as possible after an accident. Don’t wait until the deadline is looming and risk losing out on the compensation you deserve. Contact us as soon as possible and let us get to work for you.
Parking Lot Car Accident With No Injuries
Personal injury cases require bodily harm for us to represent them. When an accident results in property damage but no injuries, this is typically handled through an insurance claim without the need for an attorney.
If you have sustained a physical injury in a parking lot accident, get in touch with us at Bisnar Chase to ensure you are fairly compensated for your injuries.
Parking Lot Laws in Orange County - Right of Way
Pedestrians always have the right-of-way in parking lots, and drivers must yield to them, even outside designated crosswalks. Maintaining safe speeds is crucial.
If two vehicles approach each other perpendicularly, the car on the right has the right-of-way. This also applies when two cars are backing out simultaneously.
Motor vehicle accidents can be challenging cases to settle on your own. Insurance companies know precisely how to lowball injured victims to pay less. Work with an Orange County car accident lawyer who understands the parking and motor vehicle laws in California.
What To Do After a Parking Lot Accident
After being involved in a parking lot car accident, make sure to do the following to ensure your safety and your rights.
- If injured, call 911.
- Move to a safe area.
- Do not move your vehicle until you’ve taken photos or video of the accident scene.
- Get the at-fault driver’s license plate number and driver’s license information.
- Get a copy of the driver’s insurance information.
- Obtain any witness testimony.
- Contact your insurance company to inform them of the accident.
- Keep all your medical records and contact an attorney if injured.
These are all important steps. But it is just as important to contact a law firm with experience winning cases like yours. Our team at Bisnar Chase has handled countless car accident cases, including accidents in parking lots across Orange County. We will help you complete the steps above, building a strong case and holding negligent drivers accountable.
Dangers in Parking Lots
Parking lots can consist of small spaces, congested driving and parking areas, and an increased risk factor for many potentially dangerous situations.
It is common for vehicles to hit unsuspecting pedestrians, easily causing serious injuries even in low-speed impacts, as well as collisions between multiple vehicles.
Even when pedestrians and drivers are fully alert, serious circumstances can lead to deadly encounters in milliseconds.
The Top Dangers of Parking Lot Car Accidents
- Distracted drivers – 66% of drivers make phone calls, 56% text, and 52% use social media while driving through parking lots, taking their focus off their surroundings.
- Poor lighting – Insufficient or broken lighting in parking lots and garages can prevent drivers from seeing and safely responding to hazards, especially at night or in bad weather.
- Vehicles backing up – 25% of parking lot accidents involve a vehicle backing out of a space and colliding with another car or pedestrian. Backup cameras help but don’t eliminate blind spots.
- Busy, chaotic environment – Parking lots are full of activity, with pedestrians, shopping carts, and vehicles moving unpredictably. A moment of inattention in this environment can easily lead to a collision.
- Slippery surfaces – Spills, oil spots, snow, and ice can create slick conditions that make vehicles more challenging to control and pedestrians more prone to slipping and falling.
- Lack of pedestrian safety infrastructure—Many lots lack proper crosswalks, signage, speed bumps, and other features to safely separate foot and vehicle traffic.
Over 50,000 crashes occur in parking facilities annually in the U.S., leading to 60,000 injuries and 500 deaths. Following traffic rules, minimizing distractions, and staying vigilant are crucial in these deceptively dangerous environments.
If you’ve incurred injuries from this type of accident our California car accident lawyers can review your evidence to determine if you have a personal injury claim. Our law firm has won over $900M for our clients.
Parking Lot Accident Statistics
With the low speeds and confined space of parking lots limiting the ability of reckless drivers, the congested confines, and heavy pedestrian foot traffic, parking lots can be one of the most dangerous places for drivers and pedestrians.
Here are some scary statistics that will make you look twice, even three times before walking from your parking spot to the grocery store entrance.
According to a report by CBS News:
- 2 out of 3 drivers in the parking lot are distracted
- 1 out of 5 of all car accidents take place in a parking lot
Statistical information provided by The National Safety Council:
- 60,000 injuries per year from parking lot accidents
- 500+ deaths per year from parking lot accidents
- 50,000+ crashes per year from parking lot accidents
A False Sense of Safety at Slower Speeds
Even though slower speeds give drivers the false sense of having the ability to multi-task safely, it is just as distracting at five mph as 50 mph to multi-task.
While driving through a parking lot, drivers feel comfortable:
- Making phone calls – 66%
- Texting – 56%
- Emailing – 50%
- Video Chatting – 42%
- Social media, games, and other electronic distractions are also prevalent.
According to the National Safety Council (NSC) and other sources, pedestrian injuries and fatalities in parking lots are a significant problem.
- Tens of thousands of crashes occur in parking lots and garage structures annually, resulting in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries.
- A Bureau of Labor Statistics study found that pedestrian deaths accounted for 13% of all accidents in parking lots from 1993 to 2002.
- Auto insurers report that the number of claims spikes on Black Friday and runs above average throughout the holiday shopping season, with the actual number of incidents likely higher than insurance claims indicate.
- In 2021, an NSC analysis found that children aged 0 to 4 experienced the most pedestrian fatalities in parking lots and driveways, with most deaths resulting from crashes on residential driveways.
- Adults aged 45 to 54 experienced the most nonfatal injuries, mainly from crashes in commercial parking lots.
- According to the NSC, parking lot crashes lead to over 60,000 injuries and 500 deaths each year.
Top 4 Most Common Parking Lot Accidents
There are many different types of vehicles and types of drivers you may encounter in a parking lot or parking garage, each with its own strengths, weaknesses, and distractions.
Here are the Top 4 Most Common Parking Lot Accidents:
Wrongful Deaths
Even though traffic speeds in a parking lot are considerably lower than those on streets and highways, a vehicle’s size, weight, and potential danger are still extreme at any speed. As a result, even low-speed collisions can have deadly consequences.
A slow impact or fast hit can result in a casualty or fatal injury and can be experienced while walking to and from your car, waiting for a parking spot in your car, and generally anywhere, especially when dealing with negligent and reckless drivers.
Pedestrian Accidents
Whether a pedestrian feels entitled or is just unaware of their surroundings, vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, and other forms of transportation like skateboards and rollerblades can be very dangerous.
Pedestrians who are on their cell phones or electronic devices, and those who are wearing headphones, possibly listening to music, talking on the phone, or just muffling the load outside parking lot sounds can be an increased danger to themselves, drivers and other innocent and vulnerable lives standing nearby.
Pedestrian accidents can be very dangerous because pedestrians are completely unprotected, and are vulnerable to serious injuries in the event of a collision.
Hit-and-Runs
Hit and runs are unfortunately very common, with at-fault drivers often leaving the scene of an accident without exchanging details or waiting for authorities.
Unfortunately, fleeing the scene is usually a reaction of a driver who does not want to deal with the situation, has a prior history with the law, or is negligent and oblivious to the severity of the circumstances.
If you witness a hit-and-run accident, try to get a license plate, color, year, make, and model of the hit-and-run vehicle. However, you should never put yourself in danger to gather this information.
Fender-Benders
Fender-benders can be hazardous to drivers, passengers, and bystanders. Flying debris, violent impacts, and serious and fatal injuries are major possibilities.
Being rear-ended, side impacts, sudden acceleration, head-on, brake, windshield wiper, and other auto defects can cause fender-benders and car accidents, pedestrian accidents, and serious injury and death.
If you have been injured, call a top-rated Orange County parking lot accident lawyer for a free consultation today. Call (949) 203-3814. Our personal injury law firm has a success rate of 99% in winning cases.
Parking Garage and Parking Structure Hazards
As if parking lots were not dangerous enough, parking garages, parking structures, and other types of enclosed parking areas have plenty of hazards and inherent dangers, such as:
- Low ceilings
- Steel cables
- Tight and narrow surface area
- Concrete beams and obstructions
- Elevated levels
- Poles, posts, and other metal structures
When an accident is caused by your surroundings and the issue is a result of negligence on the part of the property owner or manager, you may have a premises liability case. Contact Bisnar Chase to find out who is liable, and to hold all wrongdoers accountable.
What Car Insurance is Required in California?
In California, drivers are required by law to carry liability insurance with the following minimum coverage limits:
- $15,000 for injury/death to one person
- $30,000 for injury/death to more than one person
- $5,000 for damage to property
This is often referred to as 15/30/5 coverage. Liability insurance compensates others for personal injury or property damage in accidents where you are at fault.
While these are the minimum legal requirements, we recommend higher coverage to protect yourself financially.
Comprehensive and collision coverage are not legally required but may be necessary if you have a loan or lease on your vehicle. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, while optional, is also strongly recommended in California.
Top-Rated Parking Lot Accident Lawyers Near You
Our team of dedicated and skilled Orange County parking lot accident lawyers has established a 99% success rate for our clients. With decades of experience, our lawyers, paralegals, legal advisors, and staff have the resources, ability, and know-how to take on a complex case and win so that you can get on with your life.
Trust us to handle every aspect of your case, building out comprehensive evidence and fighting for your rights while you focus on your recovery. Get in touch for a free consultation and case review. We will answer your questions and provide the support and guidance you need.
Contact Bisnar Chase today. For immediate assistance, call us at (949) 203-3814. If you prefer, you can also email us or send a message 24/7 through our website’s live chat. We are here to help and look forward to hearing from you.
Brian Chase
Articles and blogs have been reviewed by legal in-house staff. Brian Chase is the managing partner of Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP. He is the lead trial lawyer and oversees cases handling dangerous and defective products that injure consumers. Brian is a top-rated injury attorney with numerous legal honors and awards for his work relating to auto defects and dangerous products. His firm has recovered over $900M for its clients. Brian is a frequent speaker for CAOC, Dordick Trial College and OCTLA, covering personal injury trial techniques.
Serving California Since 1978
Bisnar Chase is a top-rated personal injury law firm with a national reputation. The firm has been in business since 1978 and has represented thousands of clients. Based in Newport Beach and with offices across California, Bisnar Chase has recovered nearly $1 billion in settlements and verdicts, emphasizing superior client representation above all.
