Parking lot truck accidents in DC may occur in a tight shopping center on the outskirts of DC or a DC parking garage. Washington, D.C., has tight streets like any other urban environment. However, as a bustling city, we still need commercial and noncommercial trucks to use our roads and deliver goods. Unfortunately, maneuvering such large semi-trucks is difficult, even for the most skilled truckers. The good news is that parking lot truck accidents in DC typically occur at slower rates of speed than, say, highway trucking accidents. However, due to the sheer weight and size difference of an 18-wheeler compared to the typical sedan, it is still common for injuries to occur. Whether it is a blindspot accident around the turn in a tight parking lot, icy roads, or a wide turn, there are countless common causes of parking lot accidents.
While parking lots may be considered safer because of the lower speeds, the truth is that they are actually where most accidents occur. Again, the injuries should not be quite as severe due to the reduced speed of vehicles in parking lots. However, there are countless obstacles in parking lots and garages that do not exist on the roads. For example, pedestrians walk to and from their vehicles, likely outside any crosswalk or sidewalk. Crosswalks do not lead to every conceivable parking space, making walking truly safe for pedestrians impossible.
We will explore the many types of truck accidents in DC parking lots, examine their causes, and discuss how best to avoid them in the future. Then, we will discuss the legal considerations of a parking lot truck accident in DC and what to do if you are involved in one.
There are countless types of parking lot truck accidents in DC. Here are the five most common ones we have encountered in the thousands of accident cases we have handled.
Given the size of semi-trucks, it is sometimes difficult for drivers to avoid a car in their blind spot. Reversing, turning, or even straightforward parking can be difficult without hitting a smaller vehicle. Most truck drivers will tell you the most challenging part of their job is anything in close quarters, including maneuvering their truck. Most have no issues on highways; they have advanced blindspot detection systems and plenty of time to merge lanes. Highways are also places where other drivers are more vigilant of a high-speed truck barrelling down the highway. Such is not the case in a parking lot.
Vehicles are not the only things to look out for as a truck driver in DC. While it is likely that trucks collide more with other vehicles than pedestrians in parking lots, a truck can do much damage with little speed if one collides with a human. A person may walk their dog through a parking lot or text on their way back to their car. Meanwhile, a trucker’s field of vision is minimal compared to how much truck he controls. Moreover, pedestrians behave unpredictably. While pedestrians are relatively predictable when walking on a sidewalk or through a crosswalk, hardly any follow the painted lines in a parking lot. The painted crosswalks rarely, if ever, are the most efficient way to get to where they are going, whether that is their car, store, or restaurant.
There are many strangely placed obstacles in the parking lot. Whether it is a light pole, shopping cart corrals, signage, or the facade of a building, each of these items may stick out in weird ways and get in the way of a truck maneuvering through a parking lot. While a trucker may be able to account for and avoid the objects if he is familiar with the lot’s layout, it is more difficult if he has just to guess or use his mirrors. While our truck accident lawyers do not handle property damage claims unless a personal injury is involved, they are worth briefly mentioning. If you are driving a truck through a parking lot and cause damage to your truck, or if another vehicle causes damage to your truck and you are not injured, reach out to your insurance company. They will handle your property damage claim.
Many parking lots are equipped with loading docks to take deliveries from semi-trucks. Whether you are the truck driver or just involved in loading and unloading the truck’s cargo, you may have a claim. If you are the driver, you may get injured when docking the truck while reversing, colliding with another truck while attempting to dock, or even a rollover if your truck is not correctly balanced and the cargo inside is sufficiently heavy.
If you are involved with the loading and unloading the truck, you may have multiple claims. You may have a worker’s compensation claim as the exclusive remedy against your employer. Or, if the trucker was negligent and injured you in any way, you may have a claim against him in his personal capacity, and the company he works for will also be vicariously liable. Note that for his employer to be vicariously liable, the driver must have acted within the course and scope of his employment. This means the employer will not be liable for the driver’s actions if he played games or did something unrelated to his job.
Spillages can also play a role in parking lot truck accidents in DC. If a truck carries hazardous material, negligence may cause injury to an innocent third party. If you are hurt due to the spillage of dangerous material, contact a truck accident attorney immediately for a free consultation.
There are three leading causes of truck accidents in DC parking lots. While almost all can be chalked up to the truck driver’s negligence, some are more nuanced. Beyond negligence by the driver, environmental and layout factors also play a decisive role in this type of accident. While these factors will not necessarily absolve a party of liability, it is essential to consider. Mechanical failures are the third primary cause of truck accidents in a parking lot or garage. For example, a brake failure unknown to the driver may cause an accident. Trucks need to be maintained according to federal and local regulations.
While countless preventive measures can be undertaken to reduce the likelihood of a parking lot truck accident in DC, the chances of avoiding an accident are never zero. Nevertheless, here are the preventive measures that we recommend.
Our attorneys have been handling parking lot truck accidents in DC since 1954. Although the DC landscape and court system have transformed over the years, our legal team has adeptly evolved to meet these changes. Our firm has handled over 10,000 cases since its inception, and Managing Partner Roger Gelb has dealt with thousands of cases himself. Our depth of experience positions us well to handle any type of truck accident case we may encounter.
If you have been in an accident or have questions regarding parking lot liability, call Gelb & Gelb today for a free consultation.
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