Ah, time to rush around with last minute Christmas buying. Until, you hit another car in an Alabama parking lot.

Two Main Questions

Here are the two questions I get most: will my insurance cover it and what is up with a shopping mall parking lot being private property?

First, don’t panic. Most car insurance companies will cover the accident just as if it was on the public road.

The second, and far more complicated, is how do you get an accident report?

Try calling the police. If they say they can’t come because you are on private property, ask if they will make a private incident report. Some police will, some wont. If not, you now become your own investigator. Write down all the details, take pictures with your cell phone and get the names and addresses of any witnesses.

Hit a Car

If you hit a parked car, leave a note including your insurance information. Do not be a hit and run. A few hundred dollars to fix a bumper is better than a few months or years in jail.

Parking Lot Falls

You can also get hurt between parking your car and walking into the store. If you fall in a shopping center parking lot, the same law applies as if you were in the store. The property owner has a legal obligation to provide a safe environment. Just as in a vehicle accident, get medical help and document the accident.

Now get those presents. Safely.

If you are hurt in a traffic accident or suffer a personal injury, you can talk to us at the  Law Firm of Eiland and Ritchie  for free. We want to help you get back on your feet.

Also join us on  NBC 15 LawCall  here in Mobile every Sunday night at 10:30 right after the news. We do a short show on tape during the football season but will take your calls live again after the first of the year.

Allen Ritchie

Alabama personal injury lawyer

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