How to avoid a parking lot crash during your holiday shopping

While online shopping has become an increasingly popular way for many people to do their holiday shopping, millions of Americans still get their shopping done by going out to malls and stores to physically view products and get inspired for gift ideas. As a result, shopping mall and shopping center parking lots continue to remain crowded during the holiday season, creating the perfect conditions for parking lot accidents.

If you plan on going out to retail stores for your holiday shopping, below are some tips to keep in mind to help you avoid a parking lot crash during this holiday season. 

Types of Parking Lot Accidents

Types of parking lot crashes include:

• Two drivers in parking spots across from one another back out of their spaces at the same time and collide into one another.
• Two drivers crash trying to pull into the same spot at the same time
• Rear-end collisions when vehicles stop for stop signs or traffic.
• A driver backing up crashes into cross-traffic behind them. 
• A vehicle collides into a pedestrian.

Common Causes of Parking Lot Accidents

Some of the most frequent reasons for parking lot accidents include:

• Heavy vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
• Distracted driving, including texting while driving.
• Speeding, as many parking lots have posted speed limits of 15 mph or less.
• Running stop signs, as drivers may not even realize that parking lots have stop signs.
• Failing to yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks.
• Failing to look when backing up, especially when drivers rely solely on backup cameras that can have a more limited field of view. 
• Poorly designed parking lots or parking garages, including those with blind curves or other visual obstructions for drivers and pedestrians. 

Tips for Avoiding Parking Lot Accidents

Here are some tips to follow to help avoid being involved in a parking lot accident:

• If parking in the evening or in a parking garage, try to park in well-lit areas.
• Drive slowly, under 10 or 15 mph, which will allow you to immediately stop for another vehicle or a pedestrian.
• If in a parking garage or covered lot, use your headlights to help make your vehicle more visible.
• Always use your turn signal when turning or pulling into a spot, so that other drivers and pedestrians know your intentions. 
• Be sure to look out for stop or yield signs, or arrows on the pavement indicating which way vehicles are supposed to travel down a lane. These traffic controls are put in place to help facilitate safe traffic flow through parking lots. 
• Avoid cell phone use while driving through a parking lot.
• Turn your head to check your surroundings when backing up. Don’t just rely on your vehicle’s cameras or sensors. 
• Consider parking further away from the store or mall entrance so that there is less of a chance of your car suffering dings or getting into a fender bender when backing out.
• Don’t keep driving around a parking lot trying to get a perfect spot. The longer you drive up and down the parking aisles, the more likely you are to be involved in an accident. 

Contact a Clark Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Car Accident Case in New Jersey

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a car accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Team Law represent clients injured because of car accidents in Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, and throughout New Jersey. Call (732) 540-1394 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 136 Central Ave., Clark, NJ 07066, as well as offices in West New York, Perth Amboy, Edison, Summit, Newark, New Brunswick, Orange, Plainfield, and Jersey City.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.