When you think about car accidents, you might think of collisions on busy roads or highways. However, it may be surprising that over 20 percent of all accidents happen in parking lots each year. During the holidays, that number is 40 percent, according to State Farm.
Parking lots can be difficult to navigate, considering that many have sharp turns and distracted drivers. In fact, the National Safety Council (NSC) found that distracted driving is the top cause of parking lot accidents. Other main causes of parking lot accidents include:
- Reversing out of a parking spot.
- Multiple cars vying for one spot.
- Failing to obey speed limits and road rules.
- Poor lighting or sun glare.
The following includes a few safety tips that will help you avoid a parking lot accident during the holiday season.
Pay Attention
Even though you are traveling at a slower speed in a parking lot, you are not immune to an accident. Be sure to always follow traffic signs in the parking lot, including the speed limit. Be cautious until you are fully parked.
Park Further Away
Parking closer to the store likely means you must navigate through the busiest part of the lot. If you park further away, you will likely find a spot, have better visibility, and you will be in the least congested section.
Reverse
Finding a spot you can reverse into helps your visibility, essentially eliminating the need to back out. Most parking lot accidents happen when someone is backing out of the spot. According to the NSC, each year, over 50 fatalities happen in parking lots when drivers are reversing out of their spots.
Use Mirrors
Always check your mirrors. Many cars and pedestrians are in parking lots. Most modern vehicles have backup cameras, blind-spot monitoring systems, adaptive cruise control, and other technology. You should use your car’s safety features when navigating a parking lot.
Relax
The holiday season puts everyone on edge, but driving while stressed can lead to an accident. Road rage is never okay, and it can make other motorists angry or distract them from driving safely.
Shop Online
With the coronavirus pandemic keeping more people at home, online shopping has become even more popular. Online shipping is a great way to avoid a car accident during the peak times of the holiday season.
Delco Car Accident Lawyers at Eckell Sparks Help Those Severely Injured in Parking Lot Accidents During the Holiday Season
Even though many parking lot accidents happen at low speeds, they can still lead to severe injuries. If you have a severe injury from a collision, our Delco car accident lawyers at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. can help. Call us today at 610-565-3701 or fill out our online form to schedule an initial consultation. Located in Media and West Chester, Pennsylvania, we serve clients throughout Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County.