A shopping mall parking lot is a place with a lot of low-speed traffic packed into a small area, where minor collisions and scrapes happen regularly. Many drivers aren't entirely sure whether the same rules apply here as on a regular road accident, and whether it's even worth calling the police over a small scratch in a parking lot. Let's go through this in detail.
How a parking lot differs from a public road
The legal status of a mall parking lot can differ from that of a public road, and this affects a few aspects of how an incident is documented.
- Formally, a collision on private property (and a mall parking lot is usually private property) still qualifies as a traffic accident if vehicles are involved;
- The general principles of behavior after a collision (stopping, assessing damage, exchanging information) remain relevant regardless of the type of property;
- That said, driving speeds in parking lots are usually much lower than on the road, so damage tends to be more minor. This affects which documentation method makes sense, but doesn't eliminate the need to document the incident.
Do you need to call the police in a parking lot
The general criteria we covered in our article on what to do after an accident apply here too: the police are required if there are injuries, a fault dispute, or a lack of agreement between the parties.
- For minor collisions with no injuries, where both drivers are present and agree on the circumstances, a joint report can be filled out just like on a regular road;
- If one driver disagrees on the interpretation of events, or the damage is worse than it initially looks, it's smarter to call the police for official documentation, even in a parking lot;
- Parking lots have a specific quirk: the at-fault driver drives off without waiting for the damaged car's owner more often than on a regular road. More on that below.
If the other driver leaves without giving their details
- Check the scene: sometimes the other driver does leave a note with contact details under the wiper, though unfortunately this doesn't always happen;
- Contact the mall's management and ask whether security cameras cover the spot where the damage occurred, and whether you can get the footage;
- Call the police for official documentation. Without a second party present, a joint report isn't possible, and an official report will be needed to file an insurance claim;
- Photograph the damage and the surrounding parking area in as much detail as possible.
The role of the mall's security cameras
Most large malls have security camera systems covering a significant portion of the parking lot, which can be decisive evidence when the other party isn't present.
- Contact security or management as quickly as possible after discovering the damage, footage is often only kept for a limited time;
- Check the official process for obtaining footage. It usually requires a formal request, sometimes through the police, rather than a simple verbal ask;
- Even if the camera didn't catch the collision itself, the footage can help identify which cars were nearby at the relevant time.
Is the mall itself ever liable
- In most cases, the mall isn't directly liable for a collision between two private vehicles in its parking lot. Liability falls on the driver whose actions caused the accident;
- An exception can be a situation where the damage resulted from an objective flaw in the parking lot itself: poor markings, a malfunctioning gate barrier, or another technical element under the mall's responsibility;
- In these cases, liability is assessed separately and may require a more detailed process involving the management.
Step-by-step: what to do
- Assess the situation: is anyone injured, how serious is the damage;
- If the other driver is present, exchange contact details and, if the situation allows, fill out a joint report;
- If they're not present, contact mall management about security cameras and call the police for official documentation;
- Photograph the scene, the damage, and the position of the vehicles;
- If the car can't drive any further on its own, arrange a tow just as you would after any other accident.
Bottom line
An accident in a mall parking lot is documented following the same basic principles as one on a regular road, with its own specifics: lower speeds, more frequent hit-and-run scenarios, and the option to use security camera footage as additional evidence. If your car is badly damaged in a parking lot and can't drive any further, we'll arrange a tow just as quickly as from anywhere else in Dnipro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fill out a joint accident report in a mall parking lot the same way as on the road?
Yes, if both drivers are present, agree on the circumstances, and no one is injured, a joint report follows the same rules as on a regular road.
What if I find a scratch on my car but don't know exactly where it happened?
If you're not sure the damage happened in that specific parking lot, pinning fault on a specific driver becomes very difficult. In that case, it's worth contacting your insurer to clarify next steps under your policy.
Is mall management required to provide camera footage on request?
The process can vary. A formal request is usually needed, and management isn't always required to hand over footage directly to an individual without police involvement, so check locally.
How long is parking lot security footage usually kept?
Retention periods vary between malls and systems, another reason to request footage as soon as possible after discovering the damage.
What if the damage happened because of a malfunctioning entrance gate barrier?
In that case, document the damage and circumstances, then file a formal complaint with the parking lot's management. Liability in this situation may fall on the management company rather than another driver.
Do I need to notify my insurer about a parking lot accident the same way as a regular one?
Yes, if you plan to file a claim, notifying your insurer within the timeframe set by your policy remains required regardless of where the incident happened.