Parking Garage Tips

Taking the proper precautions when parking your car in a garage!

• Before you enter a garage, make sure all of your valuables are out of sight (preferably out of the car all together, but if necessary, in the trunk).
• When you pull in, find out if it is self-park or if attendant parks for you.
• If possible, give the attendant only a valet key (one that does not open the trunk or glove compartment.
• Walk around your car and take notice to any scratches, dents and dings. Also take notice of the attendant’s name who is parking your car.
• Be sure to get a claim ticket or receipt of some form.
• When you return, take another complete walk around your car. If you notice any new damage to your car, be sure to point it out to the attendant and a manager immediately, before you leave the premises.

There is nothing more frightening than pulling a brand new car into an attendant parking garage facility.Those of you who park in the big cities know the routine – you pull into a basement garage that resembles a dungeon maze.The place is dimly lite and there are an endless number of cement columns, many of them bearing the scars ofpainted car bumpers.Close phobia sets in as you enter the narrow ramp, wherecars are only parked inches apart, mirror to mirror, bumper to bumper.These “unsafe” parking garages are places you should try and avoid.So, are there any safe parking garages out there?Well every garage has their share of accidents.Many of these bumps and scraps could have been avoided by proactive measures by the garage.

The answer is that there are many parking garages that have invested major capital and expense to try and reduce the number of customer complaints.They do this by (1)investing is good fluorescent lighting (2) hiring responsible employees (3) wrapping columns with shock absorbing material and (4) covering walls and any sharp extrusions with rubber padding or protective materials.In addition, the physical layout of a parking garage is also very important. If you are parking your car in a cramped basement garage, you are more likely to have your car damaged.

In a spacious garage layout much less precision driving is required, there are fewer cement columns, and vehicles are parked in neat rows.A good sign of potential trouble is an overcrowded parking garage with vehicles parked along the ramps, making entering and exiting difficult.This is sometimes an indication that the parking garage has exceeded its vehicle capacity.

If your car or its contents have been damaged or stolen at a parking lot, a lawyer can advise you of your rights and remedies against the parking lot. But before you worry about this remember to take everyone’s name down who is at the scene, and if possible take pictures of your car before you leave the garage. It is also a good idea to file a police report and contact your automobile insurance carrier. Below are some additional links, which may assist you in figuring out what remedies are available to you. 

Useful Links

http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/dot/html/motorist/parking/prkintro.html
http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/consumers - NYC Dept of Consumer Affairs
http://www.bbb.com -Check the status of a parking garage for complaint history 
http://www.nyc.gov/nypd - If you have to file a complaint or get copy of accident record