Scottsdale Parking Lot Accident Lawyer
Parking Lot Accident Lawyer in Scottsdale for Backing, Aisle and Garage Crashes
A parking lot accident lawyer in Scottsdale helps you work out who had the right of way, who was at fault, and what your injuries have cost you. Low speeds do not always mean low injuries, and fault in a private lot is often argued harder than on the street, because insurance companies and attorneys often negotiate the percentage of fault. In most cases Arizona gives you two years from the crash to file (A.R.S. 12-542).
- Filing deadline
- 2 years from the crash
- A.R.S. 12-542(1)
- Fault rule
- Pure comparative fault, no percentage bar
- A.R.S. 12-2505
- Property damage deadline
- 2 years from the crash
- A.R.S. 12-542(3)
Why a Parking Lot Crash Is Not Always a Minor One
A parking lot is full of things that make a collision more likely: tight aisles, cars backing out with a limited view, drivers looking for a space instead of the road, and pedestrians walking between vehicles. Speeds are low, but a person who is struck while walking, or who is jolted in a seat at an awkward angle, can still be seriously hurt.
This page is one of several crash types covered on our main car accident lawyer Scottsdale page. What makes a parking lot case different is not the injury. It is the question of who had the right of way, and what rules apply on private property in the first place.
Arizona
Where Parking Lot and Garage Crashes Happen Around Scottsdale
Busy shopping, dining and entertainment areas put a lot of cars and pedestrians in a small space. Knowing the property helps us find the right evidence, from lot cameras to signage and lighting. Police may not write a full report for a crash on private property, so ask for an incident number and report the crash to your insurer either way.
Scottsdale Fashion Square
Large surface lots and garages with heavy holiday and weekend traffic.
Old Town Scottsdale
Public and private garages, tight turns and heavy pedestrian traffic at night.
Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter
Mixed shopping and restaurant lots where drivers and walkers share the same lanes.
Grocery and big-box store lots along Shea Boulevard and Scottsdale Road
Long aisles, cart corrals and cars backing into through lanes.
Parking Lot Right of Way Rules Insurers Commonly Apply
Traffic laws written for public roads do not always apply the same way on private property, so there is often no single rule that settles a parking lot crash. These are the principles insurers and attorneys most often argue about. Treat them as general guidance, because the facts of each crash decide the outcome.
- Posted signs, arrows and painted lines
A stop sign, a one-way arrow or a painted crosswalk inside the lot is strong evidence of who was supposed to yield.
- Through lanes over parking aisles
A driver in the main lane of a lot is often treated as having the right of way over a driver pulling out of a parking aisle.
- Pedestrians
Drivers are generally expected to watch for people on foot, whether or not a crosswalk is painted.
- Backing out
A driver who is backing up usually has to make sure the way is clear. The driver in the aisle can still share blame if they were speeding or distracted.
- Uncontrolled intersections inside the lot
Many people assume the driver on the right goes first. That habit comes from public roads, and whether it applies in a private lot is often disputed.
Who Is at Fault in a Parking Lot Accident
A parking lot crash often looks like a simple case of one car backing into another, but fault is rarely that tidy. Arizona follows pure comparative fault (A.R.S. 12-2505), so your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault rather than barred. Insurance companies and attorneys often negotiate that percentage, and in a lot with no police report the negotiation starts with each driver’s own account.
Why one driver is often blamed first
- The driver who was backing up did not make sure the path was clear.
- The driver pulling out of a space did not yield to traffic in the lane.
- The driver who hit a pedestrian was not watching for people on foot.
Why the other driver may share the blame
- The driver in the aisle was speeding or looking at a phone.
- The driver ignored a stop sign or one-way arrow.
- A poorly lit lot, blocked sight lines or missing signs made the crash more likely.
Who Has the Right of Way in a Parking Garage
Garages add ramps, blind corners, low ceilings and narrow turns, which is why many garage crashes involve drivers who could not see each other until it was too late. The first thing to look for is signage: arrows, stop signs and painted markings on ramps and at exits. Where nothing is posted, fault usually comes down to ordinary care, meaning whether each driver kept a proper lookout, drove slowly enough for the space and stayed in the right lane. In a garage, photographs of the signs, the lighting and the corner where the crash happened are especially important, because they can change after the crash.
Step by step
What to Do After a Parking Lot Crash
These steps protect your health and your claim. Take them only as far as is safe.
- 1
Get medical help if you are hurt.
Adrenaline hides pain, so a visit even for no or seemingly minor symptoms creates a dated record that links your injuries to the crash.
- 2
Call the police and ask for an incident number.
On private property an officer may not write a full report, but you can still ask the dispatcher for a number you can give your insurer.
- 3
Photograph the scene, if safely possible, before any vehicle is moved.
Capture the vehicles, signs, arrows, painted lines, lighting and the entire aisle.
- 4
Ask about cameras and witnesses.
Stores, garages and parking operators often have cameras, and footage is commonly overwritten within days. Ask for the name of the property manager and collect witness contact details.
- 5
Be careful about what you say to insurers.
You are not required to agree to a recorded statement with the other driver’s insurance company. Our guide to talking to insurance adjusters explains what to expect.
Injuries and Losses in Parking Lot Crashes
Low speeds can hide the seriousness of these crashes, especially when a pedestrian is involved.
- Pedestrian injuries
A person struck while walking between cars can suffer broken bones and head injuries even at low speeds. Learn more about pedestrian accident claims in Scottsdale.
- Neck and back injuries
Even a low-speed impact can strain the neck and spine, and symptoms may appear a day or two later. Read more about a whiplash injury claim in Arizona.
- Property damage
A claim for vehicle damage also has a two-year deadline (A.R.S. 12-542(3)), but injury claims need to be looked at separately from the repair estimate.
- Financial and personal losses
A claim can include medical bills, future treatment, lost wages, and pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of daily life. Arizona imposes no statutory cap on personal injury damages (Ariz. Const. art. 2 sec. 31).
Working with a Parking Lot Accident Lawyer in Scottsdale
Parking lot cases are often decided by evidence that is easy to lose: a store camera that records over itself, a sign that gets replaced, a witness who drives away. Valley Accident Law offers a free case review so you can understand your options before you decide anything. You pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you.
If you are looking for a parking lot accident attorney, you want someone who will look closely at the facts, not just read a form. Our experienced and friendly attorney will explain your legal rights, including how comparative fault could affect your claim. Our guide to comparative negligence in Arizona explains the rule in more depth. The earlier you call, the better, but it’s never too late to find out your legal rights.
Related pages
Statewide guide
Types of car accident claims
Questions
Questions about Scottsdale parking lot accident cases
Who has the right of way in a parking lot?
There is no single answer. Signs, arrows and painted lines inside the lot are the strongest evidence. Without them, drivers in the main lane are often treated as having priority over drivers pulling out of a space, and every driver is expected to keep a proper lookout. The facts of each crash decide the percentage of fault.
What if there is no police report?
Police do not always write a full report for a crash on private property. You can still ask for an incident number, take your own photographs, gather witness details and report the crash to your insurer. These pieces can stand in for a report.
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Often, yes. Arizona has no 50 percent bar. Your compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you (A.R.S. 12-2505).
Can the property owner be responsible?
Sometimes. If poor lighting, blocked sight lines, missing signs or a known hazard played a part, the owner or manager may share responsibility. These cases can involve shorter deadlines when the owner is a government entity, so call us and we will explain how the rules may apply to you.
How long do I have to file a claim?
In most cases two years from the date of the crash (A.R.S. 12-542), and the same two years apply to property damage (A.R.S. 12-542(3)). If a government vehicle or property was involved, a notice of claim is due within 180 days (A.R.S. 12-821.01).
Free case review
Talk to Us About Your Parking Lot Crash
Call (602) 584-8054 or request your free case review. We will explain your legal rights and what we see in your facts. The earlier you call, the better, but it’s never too late to find out your legal rights.
Call any time. Office visits Monday to Friday, 9 to 5.
Thank you, we’ve received your request.
A member of our team will reach out shortly. If your matter is urgent, call us now at (602) 584-8054.