Damages Awarded in Parking Lot Collision

Personal Injury

In the case of Parker v. Martin, 2017 BCSC 446, the Plaintiff was involved in a low impact low speed collision in the course of backing his vehicle out of a parking stall.  The Plaintiff’s vehicle was bumped by another vehicle that was also backing out of a nearby parking stall.

The Plaintiff complained of neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain. The Plaintiff did not miss any work in his job as a chiropractor but did need to reduce his social and recreational activities following the collision.

The Plaintiff also had some subsequent medical problems unrelated to the collision, including suffering a heart attack and the effects of carpal tunnel syndrome.   As these medical problems were unrelated to the collision, the BC Supreme Court did not consider them as part of the claim for damages.

The BC Supreme Court did award the Plaintiff compensation for pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life, what the Court referred to as “non-pecuniary damages”, in the amount of $45,000.   The Court also awarded the sum of $10,700 for future medical expenses and future costs of medical care.

If you are injured in a motor vehicle collision, even if the damage to the vehicles is minimal, you may be entitled to compensation if the collision was not your fault.

We would be pleased to assist should you have any questions regarding your case if you have been injured in a motor vehicle collision.

Brad Martyniuk
Partner, Personal Injury
Lindsay Kenney LLP – Vancouver Law Office