While a parking lot crash is unlikely to be as catastrophic as one on a freeway, significant damage and injury can still occur.
It is important that drivers take care in these areas, even though they may not be traveling that fast. Parking lots can be hazardous places, and here are some of the reasons why:
Reduced visibility
As you drive along between rows of parked cars, you do not have a great view of other vehicles that you may encounter at the end of the row. They won’t have a good view of you either. It’s only when you both emerge from the rows that you can see each other. If one of you is going too fast or is distracted, you may not have enough time to avoid a crash.
Reversing also means limited visibility. You can only see so much when reversing out of a parking space and that can make a crash more likely.
Drivers are often distracted
Most drivers have a lot on their minds when entering or leaving parking areas. They may be concentrating on searching for a space, wondering if they will have time to pop into the store, get what they need and make it to their next destination in time. Or, they may be stressed due to the queue of traffic to get there or how busy the mall was. If they have children in the car with them, the kids could also be restless and demanding of their driver’s attention.
If you are injured in a parking lot crash, it’s important to get a medical check-up to ensure you account for all your injuries. That report can also form the basis of any compensation claim you need to make.
