Suing a California Driver for Parking in an Unsafe Spot

After car accidents in the Inland Empire, victims often overlook the potential involvement of parked vehicles. Although parking laws might seem pointless to some, they exist for a reason – and they have the potential to save lives. An illegally parked vehicle can cause an accident, and parking violations could allow victims to sue drivers for parking unsafely. This issue is even more relevant in the modern era thanks to new laws in California.

If you believe your car accident was partially or completely caused by a parked vehicle, you might just be right – and it might be time to speak with an car accident lawyer. Consider a consultation with Milligan Beswick Levine & Knox, LLP – and discuss your unique situation alongside our experienced car accident attorneys in the Inland Empire. This includes C. Patrick Milligan, a personal injury lawyer with over five decades of experience.

California’s New Daylighting Law Explained

In 2024, a new traffic law went into effect in California. This law prohibits certain parking offenses that reduce crosswalk visibility. Today, drivers must leave at least 20 feet of space when parking near crosswalks. If they fail to do this, they are technically breaking the law. Some municipalities may only issue warnings for the first year as drivers transition to these new guidelines. However, citations will be issued by the authorities in the near future. Signs and painted curbs are not required – and drivers are expected to follow this law even in the absence of visual warnings.

Why did California take such a strong stance against “daylighting?” The state believes that this new measure could reduce pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries. By pushing vehicles further away from crosswalks, the government creates more visibility for pedestrians and approaching drivers. Without this law, pedestrians may need to peek around parked cars in a tentative and dangerous manner. On the other hand, approaching drivers may not have seen pedestrians until the last possible moment due to obstructed line-of-sight caused by parked vehicles.

The real question is whether you can sue a driver for parking too close to a crosswalk. If you can show that this parking infraction contributed to your injuries, you may be able to hold the driver accountable. Why would you want to do this if you were struck by a different driver? Doesn’t it make more sense to sue the driver who actually hit you? The problem is that many drivers commit hit-and-runs after striking pedestrians. Those who remain at the scene may not have insurance. Even if they do, their policy may not cover your full damages.

As a result, it may help to name numerous parties in your car accident lawsuit. By pursuing compensation from numerous sources, you may find it easier to cover your medical bills, missed wages, and emotional distress. Note that the driver who struck you might actually help in this regard in order to limit their own liability. This driver may state that their vision was obstructed by the illegally parked vehicle, helping you prove negligence for both parties.

Can I Sue Drivers for Dooring in the Inland Empire?

Another major threat posed by parked or stopped vehicles is “dooring.” These kinds of accidents are on the rise in California, and they involve cyclists impacting vehicle doors at high speed. The classic dooring accident involves someone flinging open their car door into the path of a cyclist – ejecting the victim from their bike and causing catastrophic injuries.

Often, dooring accidents occur after vehicles park on bike lanes. Occupants might also stop in the middle of the street without warning before suddenly opening their doors. This gives cyclists little time to react, and there is virtually no way to avoid many dooring accidents. Not only is this dangerous, but it may also be unlawful. Stopping or parking in a bike lane is a clear violation of traffic law. In addition, vehicles must engage their emergency lights if they need to stop in the middle of the road – as this at least provides some degree of warning for approaching cyclists.

You may be able to sue various parties after being “doored” in the Inland Empire. Perhaps the most obvious defendant is the driver, but you could also sue a negligent passenger in certain situations. Taxis and rideshare vehicles (including Uber and Lyft) are especially likely to injure cyclists in this manner. If you believe that an irresponsible driver caused your injuries while picking up or dropping off a passenger, you may be able to sue the company itself rather than the individual driver. This could provide higher levels of compensation, allowing you to cover medical expenses, missed wages, emotional distress, and other damages in their entirety.

Suing After Rear-Ending an Illegally Parked Vehicle

In addition, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit after rear-ending another vehicle – as long as you can prove that the driver was illegally parked. In most situations, drivers who rear-end other vehicles are at fault. However, there are a few exceptions. If a driver stops in the middle of a road or highway without the required lights, they may become liable for any injuries they cause.

These incidents can be especially dangerous during dark, snowy, or rainy conditions. Without flashing hazard lights, it becomes virtually impossible to spot a vehicle parked in the middle of the road until it is far too late. This also applies to semi-trucks who park on the side of highways – but not far enough over onto the shoulder. 

Get in Touch With an Car Accident Law Firm in the Inland Empire

Car accident lawyers in the Inland Empire may be able to help hold negligent drivers accountable. California law clearly states that drivers are responsible for parking legally and safely – and violations could lead to personal injury lawsuits. To discuss this subject in further detail, be sure to contact an established car accident law firm in the Inland Empire. Choose Milligan Beswick Levine & Knox, LLP, call 909-894-0812, and work with our experienced car accident attorneys today.