According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 14% of all car accidents that result in damage to the car or the passengers occur in parking lots. This is understandable as many people cut through parking aisles to get out fast or pay more attention to finding a good spot than they do to other cars or pedestrians.
Tips for Staying Safe in a Parking Lot
- Stay Alert – Watch for drivers who aren’t watching for you. Look out for drivers cutting across the parking lot or speeding through aisles. Keep your eyes open for runaway carts and pedestrians and children who may dart out from behind cars. Also, two-way lanes or aisles are more congested and provide a greater risk of accident.
- Be Polite – Park in the lines and don’t be that guy that takes up two spaces. This behavior may prompt some unnecessary property damage.
- Park in a Spot that Minimizes Property Damage – Parking at the end of a lane without an island invites trouble. Car cutting the corner at the end of an aisle may strike or dent your car. During the day, park further away from the building to avoid some of the parking lot traffic. At night, park in a more populated and well-lit area. If possible, park near a light pole to provide extra protection for both you and your vehicle.
- Walk with Purpose – I always tell my kids to keep their heads up in a parking lot. Look for brake and reverse lights. Do not dart from in between cars or cut in between cars. Pay attention to your surroundings and to those drivers that are more worried about a parking lot than they are about pedestrians.
Remember that pedestrians have the right of way and if you are involved in parking lot accident, stop and render aid. There may be legal consequences if you don’t.
Also, as the holidays approach, many of us will be heading off to the post office to mail packages. Keep in mind, the post office parking lot has the highest frequency of accidents.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a parking lot accident, you may need legal help to obtain a full recovery. Whether you have been hit by another driver or struck by a car, Chelsie King Garza can help.
