A Routine Trip to Majoria’s Ended With a Violent Side-Impact Collision
An elderly woman in her 80s visited the Majoria’s parking lot in Boutte expecting an ordinary shopping trip. Instead, she became the victim of a violent parking lot collision that left her physically injured and emotionally shaken.
Our client was carefully driving through the center lane of the parking lot when another vehicle suddenly approached from one of the parking aisles at a high rate of speed.
The other driver crashed directly into the driver’s side door of our client’s vehicle.
The impact was severe enough to deploy every airbag in the vehicle and ultimately resulted in a total loss. For an older driver, a collision of this magnitude can be frightening and life-altering even beyond the physical injuries alone.
The Crash Left an Elderly Driver Dealing With Physical and Emotional Trauma
After the collision, our client suffered extensive bruising along with multiple herniated discs in both the cervical and lumbar spine.
She also developed post-traumatic stress symptoms after the crash.
For many elderly drivers, the emotional effects of a violent collision can linger long after the bruises begin to heal. Everyday activities like driving, shopping, or simply getting into a vehicle again can become sources of anxiety.
Our client underwent chiropractic treatment to help manage her injuries. Her physicians also recommended injection therapy because of the severity of her spinal symptoms. Due to her age and the risks associated with more invasive procedures, she ultimately chose not to undergo the injections.
The Insurance Company Tried to Blame the Victim
Despite the severity of the crash, the insurance company attempted to argue the collision was a “50/50” accident because the parking lot did not contain traffic control devices.
Parking lot accident cases often become contested because insurers claim both drivers shared responsibility. In this case, however, the physical evidence told a much different story.
Our client’s vehicle was violently T-boned on the driver’s door, and the force of the impact caused catastrophic damage to the vehicle. The extent of the damage supported our position that the other driver entered the lane recklessly and at an unsafe speed.
We used the property damage evidence to push back against the insurer’s attempt to shift blame onto our client.
Full Policy Limits Recovered for the Client
By presenting the seriousness of the impact, the medical evidence, and the liability facts surrounding the collision, our Boutte car accident lawyers were able to secure the full policy limits available under the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage.
The recovery helped provide financial relief for our client after a traumatic experience that affected both her physical health and emotional well-being.
Parking Lot Crashes Can Cause Serious Injuries
Insurance companies often try to minimize parking lot collisions by labeling them as low-speed or shared-fault accidents. This case shows how dangerous these crashes can become, especially when drivers fail to slow down or pay attention in crowded parking areas.
It also highlights the importance of investigating the physical evidence. In this case, the damage to our client’s vehicle became an important part of proving fault and securing full compensation for her injuries.
