How to Avoid Parking Lot Accidents?

If you drive, there’s a good chance you’ve either been involved in or witnessed a parking lot accident. People tend to drive too fast, are distracted, are in a hurry, and don’t pay attention to other shoppers and drivers. Coupled with the fact that many parking lots are tight on space, it’s no wonder accidents happen often. While many people overlook parking lots as a potential danger zone, an estimated 13 percent of all accidents take place in parking lots.

There are numerous reasons for this, including the fact that parking lots are extremely busy places. It is imperative you always scan your surroundings and proceed with caution when driving through any parking lot. In doing so, you will greatly reduce your chance of being involved in an accident. Many new cars are equipped with advanced technologies, such as backup cameras, to help drivers navigate the roads and parking lots. However, it is important you don’t solely rely on these handy tools. A good practice is to always check each mirror at least twice and use your rear-view camera as an extra precaution.

Tips for Steering Clear of a Parking Lot Accident

 As Dallas car accident attorneys, we have seen our fair share of preventable parking lot accidents. We want to help you stay safe out there and will do everything we can to fight for your rights, should you find yourself the victim of a car accident. Here are a few tips to help you steer clear of an avoidable parking lot accident in Dallas:

• Take things slow – A parking lot – whether at the grocery store or mall – isn’t the place to show off your speed. Take things slow and ease up on the pedal. You never know when a shopping will come whipping around the corner, and the last thing you want is to be driving too fast to stop!
• Practice good parking etiquette – When you are in a busy parking lot, do the right thing and practice good etiquette. Don’t try to be fancy by making others wait while you back into a spot, just pull in head first and get on with your shopping! If space is tight, use your judgment and either park in a less busy area or make sure you aren’t trapping anyone in.
• Take extra precaution when backing out – Check, double check, and triple check that no one is behind you – either in a car or on foot – when backing out of a parking spot. Never rely solely on mirrors or rear-view cameras (like we discussed). If you are parked between an SUV and larger truck, back out as slowly as you can.
• Proceed with caution – There are plenty of blind spots in parking lots, especially in parking garages. When looking for a place to park or backing out, always proceed with caution and take things slow.

We hope these tips will help you stay safe in the busy Texas parking lots! If you have been involved in a car accident in a parking lot, please contact Rad Law Firm today. Our Dallas car accident attorneys are here to answer any questions you may have and will do what we can to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.