Were you involved in a Parking Lot Accident?
Most Americans drive through a parking lot at least once per day. Parking lots are a necessary entry point for most stores and companies. Although parking lots do not appear to be dangerous because of the low speed limits cars drive, the average parking lot has many moving components. Within a somewhat small space, cars are moving all around and there are usually more pedestrians walking around than the average street.
Approximately one-fifth of all car accidents happen inside of parking lots. Although most parking lot crashes occur with only moderate impacts, these kinds of accidents can still have severe or even fatal consequences.
Common Parking Lot Crashes
Commonly Occurring Parking Lot Crashes include the following:
- Cars hitting pedestrians;
- Cars hitting bicyclists;
- Cars going the wrong direction and hitting another car head-on;
- Rear-end accidents; and
- T-bone collisions.
Avoiding Parking Lot Accidents
Drivers often ignore or neglect to follow traffic signs in parking lots as well as cut across empty lanes. Other drivers and pedestrians are placed at a much higher risk of crashing because of careless behaviors. Additionally, pedestrians are regularly distracted by different elements or on their cellphones and do not pay attention to oncoming cars.
It is crucial for drivers to be alert of any pedestrians walking around their vehicles. Drivers always need to be ready to react in case pedestrians walk out in front of their cars. Further, when drivers are reversing, they should be particularly mindful of pedestrians.
Determining Liability for Parking Lot Crashes
Cars exiting from a parking space are supposed to yield the right-of-way to other vehicles. Often drivers back out of parking spaces without even noticing other cars or pedestrians.
The most frequent reasons drivers are found liable for parking lot accidents include:
- Failure to drive the speed limit;
- Being distracted and paying little attention;
- Cell phone usage;
- Not using a blinker;
- Not yielding the right-of-way to other cars or pedestrians;
- Tailing other vehicles too closely;
- Failing to obey traffic signs or signals;
- Not considering bad weather conditions;
- Driving after doing drugs; and
- Drinking and driving.
Additionally, the owners of parking lots have a legal obligation to make reasonable efforts to keep them safe for cars and pedestrians. It is necessary for parking lot owners to regularly inspect for unsafe conditions that could heighten the chances of crashes.
Possible dangerous conditions may include:
- A buildup of rain water;
- Lack of necessary traffic signs;
- Uneven road surfaces;
- Potholes or other deep dents on the surface of the parking lots; and
- No lighting at night.
Parking lot owners can be held legally accountable for damages, in cases they had reason to know about a dangerous condition or had previous warnings. In most cases, the condition causing the accident could have easily been repaired, but the owner did not act on time. When owners are found liable, victims may be able to recover compensation for their injuries.
Contact an Experienced Parking Lot Accident Attorney Today!
If you or a loved one were injured in a parking lot accident in Florida, call Roman & Roman today at 877-767-1032 or contact us online for a free consultation.
Our personal injury lawyers have over 100 years of combined legal experience and have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts on behalf of our clients.
We realize that being injured in a parking lot accident can be a devastating experience, but you do not have to go through it alone. Our Florida personal injury attorneys will be on your side. Our aggressive and hardworking attorneys will do everything in their power to get you the highest possible compensation. We have offices in Clearwater, Hudson and Tampa, Florida.
Resource:
cbsnews.com/news/parking-lot-accidents-distracted-drivers-national-safety-council/
