Hurt in a car or truck crash?
Leave your name and phone. We call back today, in English or Spanish. The consultation is free and confidential.
Free consultation · English y Español · No fees or costs unless we win
How fault is decided in a parking lot
Parking lots have fewer clear rules than streets, so fault usually turns on who acted carelessly. Common examples include a driver backing out without looking, a driver speeding down a lane, or a driver cutting diagonally across empty spaces. A car that was parked, or fully stopped, is rarely to blame.
When both cars were moving, insurers often split fault. California uses pure comparative fault: each driver’s share reduces their damages in proportion but does not bar recovery (Li v. Yellow Cab Co.). A small share of blame should not stop you from making a claim, especially if you were hurt.
Police reports and DMV reporting
Police often do not come to parking lot crashes without injuries. That does not mean you cannot make a claim. See no police report after a car accident for how to build the record yourself. If someone was hurt, call 911 and ask for an officer. Ask the officer for the report number.
A California driver in a crash that causes injury or death, or more than $1,000 in property damage, must report it to the DMV on form SR-1 within 10 days, whether or not they were at fault (Vehicle Code 16000). Parking lot repairs often pass $1,000 once a bumper sensor or camera is involved, so check the estimate.
Free accident case review
Tell us what happened. We will tell you plainly whether there is a case and what to do next. You owe no fees or costs unless we win.
If someone hit your parked car and left
Leaving after hitting a parked car without leaving a note is common. If anyone was injured, the rules are stricter: a driver in an injury crash must stop, give their information and offer reasonable help, and leaving is a crime (Vehicle Code 20001). Ask the store or property manager right away to save its camera footage.
If the other driver is never found, your own collision coverage may pay for repairs, minus your deductible. Whether you get the deductible back depends on whether the other driver is identified; see paying your deductible. The answer depends on the policy and the facts; a lawyer can check. Report it to police too.
What to do now
If you feel any pain, see a doctor, even if the crash seemed minor. Neck and back injuries can show up later. Take photos of both cars, where they ended up, lane arrows and stop signs in the lot. Get the other driver’s name, plate, license and insurance, and the names and phone numbers of witnesses.
Ask the store or property manager to save video, in writing if you can. Write down your claim number and keep receipts for repairs, rentals and medical visits. Do not sign a release or give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer before you talk to a lawyer if you were hurt. Our page on minor car accidents has more steps.
Deadlines
Most California injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the injury (Code of Civil Procedure 335.1). A lawsuit over damage to your car generally must be filed within three years (Code of Civil Procedure 338). If only your car was damaged, see settlements with no injuries. The injury deadline is the shorter one.
Insurance claims should be opened right away, long before any lawsuit deadline, so video and witnesses are not lost. If you were hurt in a parking lot crash, call Beverly Law at (310) 552-6959 or use the form. You owe no fees or costs unless we win. We can talk about whether a claim makes sense.
Common questions
Who is at fault when two cars back into each other?
Often both drivers share fault, since each had to look before backing. California’s comparative fault rule splits responsibility by percentage, and each driver’s share reduces what they recover. Video, damage location and witness accounts can shift the split.
Do I need a police report for a parking lot accident?
It helps but is not required to make an insurance claim. Police often skip minor lot crashes. Take photos, get the other driver’s information, find witnesses and ask the property owner to save video. If anyone was hurt, call 911 and ask for an officer.
Do I have to report a parking lot accident to the DMV?
In California, yes, if the crash caused injury or death or more than $1,000 in property damage. You must file form SR-1 with the DMV within 10 days, whether or not you were at fault. Repair estimates often pass $1,000.
Can I get compensation for injuries from a parking lot crash?
Yes, if another driver caused it and you were hurt. Low speeds can still cause neck and back injuries. Get checked promptly, follow your treatment and keep records. A lawyer can deal with the insurer while you recover.
Ask a question
Not ready to call? Write your question and someone on our team will answer. No cost, no commitment.
Car and truck accident lawyer — Beverly Law
If you were hurt in a car or truck crash in California and Washington, talk to a personal injury attorney. Free, confidential, English or Spanish. You owe no fees or costs unless we win.
Related pages
Car accident not my fault: what to do · Car accident not my fault: do I call my insurance? · Do I pay my deductible if the accident wasn’t my fault? · Will my insurance rates go up if I wasn’t at fault? · What to do after a car accident in California · All car and truck accident questions
Sources
Important: This page is general information about California and Washington law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different; talk to a lawyer about yours. Last reviewed: November 5, 2026.