[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/who-at-fault-for-parking-lot-accident-in-south-carolina\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/who-at-fault-for-parking-lot-accident-in-south-carolina\/","headline":"Who’s At Fault for a Parking Lot Accident in South Carolina?","name":"Who’s At Fault for a Parking Lot Accident in South Carolina?","description":"Determining who is at fault for a parking lot accident in South Carolina generally depends on establishing who had the right-of-way and whether anyone involved was negligent. Doing this requires gathering evidence and presenting it in a way that supports your case.   How Do You Prove Who...","datePublished":"2024-10-30","dateModified":"2025-06-17","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/author\/garylemel-user\/#Person","name":"Gary Lemel","url":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/author\/garylemel-user\/","identifier":10,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/647e6af1d8f8d5c50443a8d8194e4625254b579651867ac1e1355ca917ca0f6e?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/647e6af1d8f8d5c50443a8d8194e4625254b579651867ac1e1355ca917ca0f6e?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"McKinney, Tucker & Lemel","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/MTLLaw-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/MTLLaw-logo.png","width":387,"height":95}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/accident-at-parking.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/accident-at-parking.jpg","height":666,"width":1000},"url":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/who-at-fault-for-parking-lot-accident-in-south-carolina\/","video":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=EnUOu2G6y98#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=EnUOu2G6y98","name":"Find Our Office - McKinney, Tucker & Lemel LLC.","description":"McKinney, Tucker & Lemel LLC - Rock Hill Personal Injury Attorneys\n215 Hampton Street\nRock Hill, SC 29730\nPhone: 803-328-1848","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/EnUOu2G6y98\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/EnUOu2G6y98\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/EnUOu2G6y98\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/EnUOu2G6y98\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/EnUOu2G6y98\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2023-10-30T22:18:11+00:00","duration":"PT56S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/EnUOu2G6y98","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCSJQ_AJ7kCfv43tFOzt2OCA#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCSJQ_AJ7kCfv43tFOzt2OCA","name":"MTL Law","description":"Here at McKinney, Tucker, & Lemel, LLC we are all about people. You are entrusting your lawyer with important and personal details about yourself and your life. You should feel comfortable as you work with your lawyer throughout a case. We respect this relationship and we are ready to be on your side because no one should have to handle a serious legal issue alone. We are here to help with a wide variety of cases including, personal injury, criminal defense, and family law.\n\nWe understand the stress of trying to keep your life on track while handling a serious case. Let us take up the legal burden so you can concentrate on recovering and moving forward. We have been helping the people of York & Lancaster counties since 1977 so you can count on us to have the experience and skill that you need.\n\nWe\u2019re ready to work for you.\n\nMcKinney, Tucker & Lemel LLC\nhttps:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/\n215 Hampton Street\nRock Hill, SC 29730\nPhone: 803-328-1848\n","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/fZ07nD6E0DI9r7Qgz3pwXXUaTWT3568T7H_3_d4P_QDAFhGpvP-h1jXuKIdZu29412BDVm5mu6c=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=EnUOu2G6y98#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=EnUOu2G6y98#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=EnUOu2G6y98&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=EnUOu2G6y98#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":16}]]},"about":["Car Accident"],"wordCount":1072,"articleBody":"Determining who is at fault for a parking lot accident in South Carolina generally depends on establishing who had the right-of-way and whether anyone involved was negligent. Doing this requires gathering evidence and presenting it in a way that supports your case. How Do You Prove Who Is At Fault in a South Carolina Parking Lot Accident?Proving fault in a parking lot accident involves demonstrating that the other driver ignored your right-of-way or was negligent in their actions. In other cases, you may need to prove that the parking lot owner didn\u2019t take good care of the property.Some actions that could show negligence include:Not checking for pedestrians or other vehicles before backing upFailing to stop at stop signs or yield to pedestrians at crosswalksSpeeding in the parking lotProperty owners not providing enough lighting or fixing hazardsDriving the wrong way down a laneYou need supporting evidence to prove that a driver engaged in these or other negligent actions.Some of the most common forms of proof in parking lot car accidents are:Eyewitness testimony \u2013 There\u2019s a good chance other people in the parking lot witnessed the collision. If this is the case, you should ask them for their contact information so your attorney can follow up to collect their statements.Security camera footage \u2013 Many parking lots have security cameras. Your attorney can request the footage of the accident from the business that owns the cameras.Physical evidence \u2013 There may be other physical evidence that can support your claim, such as skid marks, the positions of the vehicles, or a lack of lighting.\ufeffWhat Are Some Parking Lot Right-of-Way Procedures to Follow in South Carolina?Understanding right-of-way rules is essential for proving liability in a parking lot accident.In South Carolina, some of these procedures include:Pedestrians always have the right-of-way \u2013 Vehicles must always yield to pedestrians in a parking lot, even if the pedestrians are not in a crosswalk.Yield to vehicles in through lanes \u2013 Vehicles driving in the main lanes of parking lots have the right-of-way over those exiting parking spaces or at stop signs. A vehicle turning into a lane always has the right-of-way over a vehicle turning out of a lane.Obey all traffic signs \u2013 Stop signs, crosswalks, traffic arrows, and speed limits apply the same way in parking lots as on public roads. A driver that fails to obey traffic signs could be negligent.Be cautious when backing out \u2013 Drivers must check for pedestrians and other vehicles before backing out of a parking space. The driver who was backing out when the accident occurred is typically at fault.What Are Common Accidents That Happen in Parking Lots?Parking lot accidents can occur in various ways, often leading to disputes over who is responsible.Some of the most common types of crashes in parking lots include:Pedestrian accidents \u2013 These collisions happen when a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, either because the driver fails to yield to a pedestrian or does not adequately check for them before backing up or turning.Head-on collisions \u2013 These accidents happen when two vehicles try to pass each other in narrow lanes, when a driver ignores right-of-way rules, or when a driver swerves into the path of another car.Rear-end collisions \u2013 The primary causes of rear-end collisions are distracted drivers and speeding. A distracted driver may not realize that the vehicle ahead of them stopped at a stop sign, for another car with the right-of-way, or for a pedestrian. Speeding drivers also have less time to react to a slowing or stopping car ahead of them.Side-impact collisions \u2013 Also known as \u201cT-bone\u201d collisions, these occur when one car hits the side of another. These accidents happen at intersections or when a vehicle backs out of a parking spot into the side of a car passing behind.What Should You Do After a South Carolina Parking Lot Accident?If you were in a parking lot accident in South Carolina, taking the following steps can help protect your rights and make the claims process easier:Report the accident to the police \u2013 Any time a collision results in injury, you should report it to the police. They will come out and create an accident report, which you may need when filing your claim with the at-fault driver\u2019s insurance company.Seek medical treatment \u2013 It\u2019s important to get medical care directly after an accident and to continue seeking ongoing treatment for your injuries. This creates a paper trail documenting your injuries and the treatments you received for them, which will support your claim for medical expenses.Document the scene \u2013 Take photos and videos of the accident scene, your injuries, vehicle damage, skid marks, and any relevant traffic signs. This crucial evidence can play a significant role in your claim.Collect witness information \u2013 Speak to anyone who witnessed the crash and get their contact information.Notify your insurance company \u2013 Even if you are not at fault for the accident, it\u2019s a good idea to notify your insurance company just in case you need to file an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim later.Seek legal counsel \u2013 A car accident attorney can gather evidence, file your insurance or personal injury claim, negotiate with the insurance company, represent you at trial, and provide general legal advice throughout the process.Contact a South Carolina Car Accident LawyerParking lot accident claims can be complicated, especially when there is a question about who is at fault. Understanding how right-of-way rules, negligence, and the evidence you gather can impact your case is essential in South Carolina.If you suffered injuries in a parking lot collision, contact McKinney, Tucker & Lemel LLC\u2019s experienced car accident attorneys. During your initial consultation, our team will evaluate your case, review your legal options, and explain the insurance and personal injury claims processes.The personal injury law firm of McKinney, Tucker & Lemel LLC has been fighting for car accident victims\u2019 rights since 1977. Our attorneys have the experience, resources, and skills necessary to fight for justice and demand compensation for what you have suffered. We are cost-effective, responsive, and dedicated to making your concerns our priority. According to our clients, our lawyers are \u201calways easy to reach and extremely helpful\u201d and our \u201cknowledge of the law is priceless.\u201d Reach out today to find out what our services can do for you.Visit Our South Carolina Car Accident Law Offices"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Who’s At Fault for a Parking Lot Accident in South Carolina?","item":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/who-at-fault-for-parking-lot-accident-in-south-carolina\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]