4 Ways to Avoid Parking Lot Accidents

Thousands of car accidents occur each day across the country, but surprisingly, one in every five accidents takes place in a parking lot. In fact, 14% of all car crash insurance claims involve those occurring in parking lots. And though these collisions are common, tips for prevention can protect you on and off the road.

If you’ve been involved in a wreck in Arizona, contact our Phoenix accident attorneys at the ELG Law. Our team of auto accident lawyers is here to help you today with a free, no-hassle consultation.

Keep Your Eyes Open

Watch for pedestrians around your vehicle as you load items into your car and check around your vehicle again before pulling away. A back-up camera is a great tool to ensure no pedestrians are behind your vehicle as well. However, if your vehicle doesn’t equip this safety feature, you can install an aftermarket camera.

It’s also important to keep an eye out for runaway shopping carts. If possible, avoid the parking spaces near cart returns to steer clear both pedestrians and free-rolling carts.

Finally, keep an eye out for stray children running around the parking lot. Children may not be visible to a driver in reverse, so exit the vehicle and check around the premises if necessary.

Drive Slowly

Driving slowly might be the most important factor in preventing parking lot crashes. When you’re arriving and leaving, pull in slowly and back out slowly. This gives others time to stop and avoid a crash.

And avoid driving aggressively or weaving in and out of the parking lot. Stay calm, collected, and patient when waiting for pedestrians or other cars to pull in and out. You should also avoid using your cell phone, even when waiting for other motorists. Distracted driving is dangerous at any speed, and texting while driving is still against the law in Arizona – even in parking lots.

Stay in Sight

Park your vehicle in well-lit areas at night so that other motorists can see your parked vehicle. Parking in dark, shadowy areas of the parking lot can be dangerous and makes it difficult for others to see your vehicle, especially when your headlights are off.

You should also park next to curbs and buildings, where your car will be protected on at least one side.

Avoid Reckless Driving

The rules of the road still apply in parking lots, so ensure you follow them. Check your rearview mirror, side mirrors, and blind-spots before moving your vehicle. Observe stop signs, yield signs, and any other traffic signs in the area.

Additionally, make sure you drive the correct way down parking lanes and follow the arrows properly, even if a parking lot is nearly empty.

Auto Accident Lawyer in Phoenix

You won’t be able to control the actions of other drivers, but driving defensively on the road is vital. Most accidents can be prevented by staying alert and safe on the road. If you are involved in a crash, contact your accident attorney as soon as possible. Your lawyer can work as your liaison with insurance companies and help you organize the facts of your case.

If you’ve been injured in a wreck, contact our Phoenix accident lawyers at ELG Law today. Call us at (623) 562-3838 for a no-obligation consultation and legal aid.