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What are Some Important Parking Lot Safety Tips?

March 22, 2021

Most people think that collisions normally occur on highways, but parking lot car accidents are fairly common. Most parking lot accidents involve minor damages and injuries, but some can be severe. Parking lot safety is important, and drivers should always pay attention when maneuvering through them. Some important safety tips include:

  • Pay attention to all surroundings, including other motorists and pedestrians.
  • Do not depend entirely on back-up cameras and car sensors.
  • Make the effort to scan the area before proceeding, particularly when backing into a driveway or parking spot.
  • Engage the vehicle’s parking brake when parking on an incline or decline to avoid the car from rolling.
  • Turn the front tires to face the curb if the car is on a decline. Face the road if the car is on an incline.

These precautions can help limit the risk of a parking lot car accident.

What are the Right-of-Way Rules in Parking Lots?

Parking lots are typically set up with rows of parking spaces that are accessible by one-way or two-way lanes. In large parking lots, sections of parking spaces are surrounded by wider through-lanes that allow drivers in and out of the entrance and allow cars to travel to and from the parking spot access lanes. Typically, drivers that enter a parking lot immediately find themselves in the main through-lane and can choose a smaller lane for parking.

When it comes to right-of-way rules in parking lots, a car driver in the main through-lane retains the right-of-way when faced with another vehicle exiting a smaller lane. Likewise, car drivers in the smaller access lanes have the right-of-way over motorists who are pulling out of parking spots. A car exiting a parking spot must wait until the lane is clear before pulling out into traffic, which is trickier when backing out of the spot. 

Who is Liable for a Parking Lot Accident?

When an accident occurs in a parking lot, the right-of-way may be the most important factor in determining liability. Whoever acts out of turn is often considered liable. However, it can often be difficult to prove who is at fault if more than one driver broke a traffic rule.

Since liability can be challenging to determine in parking lot car accident cases, victims should seek legal guidance. If a parking lot accident caused severe injuries, a victim should speak to a lawyer for help with a personal injury claim.

Delaware County Personal Injury Lawyers at Eckell Sparks Represent Victims Injured in Serious Parking Lot Collisions

Most parking lot collisions are minor, but some can cause catastrophic injuries. If you were injured in a parking lot accident that was caused by a negligent driver, speak to a Delaware County personal injury lawyer at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. today. Complete our online form or call us at 610-565-3701 for a free consultation about your case. We have offices in Media and West Chester, Pennsylvania, and we proudly serve clients throughout Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County.