When vehicle accidents happen on the open road the first thing everyone knows to do is to call the police to report the accident, exchange insurance information and document the scene. However, what about instances when an accident happens on private property? Who is liable, especially if the property itself had some hand in the accident?One article noted that even though the accident has happened on private property it is still necessary to contact the police. “You may find some law enforcement officers less than eager to participate in creating a report pertaining to the accident on private property because they generally do not have jurisdiction to issue citations or determining fault. They can, however, document the same and provide a much-needed police report of the incident. Most insurance companies are reluctant to pay on a claim, even if it occurred on private property, without a police report.” In addition, it is necessary to contact the owner of the property and alert them to the accident.
As with any accident it is important to determine who is responsible for it. “When accidents happen on the road, the state generally has no liability to either party, even if road conditions may have been a factor in the accident. However, when an accident happened on private property this changes.” One attorney noted, “When an accident happens on a private property it is possible that the two parties involved in the accident have fault and even the owner of the property may share some liability”. For example, if an accident happens in a parking garage because the manner in which the garage was constructed creates blind spots or overly narrow lanes around corners, this could lead to the liability on the part of the owner of the garage. Because of this factor many property owners will quickly become involved in any dispute between the parties involved in the accident. In some cases this could be helpful especially if the owner feels that he or she has some liability for the accident and is willing to provide assistance by way of security footage, incident reports or other details. Conversely, if the property owner assumes a defensive position they may withhold any efforts to obtain information or quickly resolve the dispute out of fear of having to contribute to any settlement.
If you have been involved in an accident on private property you may receive conflicting advice as to how to go about handling the matter. One article states that those involved in accidents on private property report the accident to law enforcement and politely but assertively ask for the creation of a police report. If you or someone in your vehicle has been injured, seek immediate medical advice and any emergency condition should be treated at once. This is of the utmost importance especially when seeking to recover compensation for medical damages. Thereafter, call an accident attorney in Alaska experienced in personal injury law before contacting the insurance company. The attorney will provide much needed advice and representation when dealing with insurance companies.
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