While busy, high-speed roadways may be what immediately comes to mind when you think of an auto accident, you can’t discount the fact that a surprising number of accidents happen at low speeds, in the places you’d least expect. One of these places is parking lots.

Just as with other types of collisions, parking lot accidents can result in horrific injuries, expensive damage, and a massive headache when dealing with the aftermath.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the factors that make parking lots an accident hot spot, what the most common types of parking lot accidents are, and the legal aftermath that unfolds if you find yourself involved in one.

 

Why Parking Lots Are Accident Hotspots

Parking lots can be a tricky place to drive.

People often assume that due to the low posted speeds in parking lots, they can let their guard down behind the wheel. The danger of a serious accident seems slim to none. I’m here to remind you: low speed does not automatically mean low risk for an accident.

In reality, parking lots are accident hotspots!

For starters, traffic is constantly moving in multiple directions. Cars pulling in, backing out, and cutting across lanes makes the flow of traffic far less predictable in a parking lot compared to a main road.

In addition to traffic moving more unpredictably, parking lots are shared spaces for pedestrians and motor vehicles. This means in addition to looking out for other drivers, you need to be on high alert for individuals traveling to and from their parked cars. It can be very easy to miss someone hidden around the corner of a big SUV, or to get caught off guard by someone unexpectedly emerging from their vehicle.

Finally, parking lots are a breeding ground for distracted driving. People are often preoccupied with:

• Finding parking

• Talking to passengers

• Finding change to pay for parking

• Sending texts

• Answering calls

• Worrying about kids

• Grabbing groceries

As important as it is not to, many of us mentally tap out of “driving mode” prematurely in parking lots. This increased level of distraction leads to accidents time and time again.

 

Common Types of Parking Lot Accidents

 

Backing-Out Collisions

The first (and probably most common) parking lot accident scenario happens when cars are in reverse. While in reverse, your visibility is greatly reduced as a driver. You must rely on your mirrors, back-up camera, and driving skills to successfully navigate backwards.

Unfortunately, this is much easier said than done. It’s hard enough to react to all of the moving obstacles in a parking lot. And that’s when your car is in drive. While reversing in and out of parking spots, it can be incredibly easy to misjudge (or completely miss) other vehicles in relation to your own car. For this reason, back-up collisions are tragically common in parking lots.

 

Vehicle-Pedestrian Accidents

One of the most serious types of parking lot accidents are those involving pedestrians. As discussed above, pedestrians are everywhere in parking lots. Individuals can be found:

• Traveling to and from their parked car

• Getting dropped off in front of buildings

• Pushing shopping carts

• Congregated around the entrances of buildings

• Tending to their children

Just as with cars, accidentally missing the presence of a pedestrian can be very easy in a busy parking lot. Despite happening at low speeds, pedestrian accidents can be extremely dangerous, especially when involving small, young children.

 

Rear-End Collisions

Stop and go traffic is commonplace in parking lots.

While parking lots don’t operate exactly like busy public roads, drivers are still expected to yield when appropriate and operate their vehicles safely. However, with right-of-way laws not always clearly applying in parking lots, it can be a challenge to know when to let another driver in and when to yield to pedestrians.

A good rule of thumb is to always yield to pedestrians and to keep your movements slow and predictable.

Although this is a solid guideline for avoiding parking lot collisions, you can’t always see what the car in front of you is seeing (or predict how they might respond to obstacles). Given the increased likelihood of unpredictable stops, rear-end accidents are unfortunately common in parking areas.

In addition to following the suggestions above, leaving increased distance between you and the car in front of you is a good way to mitigate these troubling occurrences.

Steps to Take After a Parking Lot Accident

Between limited visibility, unpredictable traffic patterns, and pedestrians walking around everywhere, there’s plenty that can go wrong in an average parking lot. Determining fault after one of these unfortunate accidents can be challenging due to a variety of factors like:

• Weather conditions

• Parking lot conditions

• Multiple vehicles involved

• Pedestrians involved

Despite the potential complexity associated with this type of accident, documentation and consistency are key, as always. In the immediate aftermath of such a collision, It’s crucially important to:

• Receive care for any injuries sustained as a result of the accident

• Take detailed photos and videos of the accident scene

• Exchange insurance details and contact information with others involved in the accident

• File a police report to officially document the incident

If you’re left picking up the pieces after a parking lot mishap, the situation can feel completely overwhelming. Lucky for you, the team at Femminineo Law is here to help!

 

Get David Get Paid

At Femminineo Law, we’ve been handling auto accident cases for over 30 years. There is no one better equipped to sort through the facts of your accident and take on the insurance companies.

You can rest assured that with Femminineo Law handling your case, no stone will be left unturned as we relentlessly pursue compensation for your injuries and hardship.

Give us a call at 855-65-CRASH to set up a free consultation today! You’ll be glad you did.

Get David. Get Paid.