Parking lots have many potential distractions and dangers that could affect your vehicle. Some of those dangers could cause personal injury and in very unusual circumstances a deadly car accident.
The following are some of the more commonly encountered parking lot dangers. Some practical advice could help you to successfully navigate them and prevent accidents.
Parking areas generally limit the vision of respective motorists. Other vehicles, pedestrians, road signs, and objects can block your vision. In addition, your vehicle creates blind spots that make it harder to see.
When pulling out of a parking spot, drivers must yield the right of way to other people and vehicles. Also, if you are backing out of the parking spot, it is a lot harder to keep an eye on potential hazards. There are a lot of them in parking areas.
Potential parking area dangers include:
Theft and vandalism are criminal acts that might be very costly. Weather generally is something that you cannot control other than preparing your vehicle for driving in bad weather.
Fluid leaks are common in parking areas and could make some spots especially slippery. Collisions could happen if you do not see a vehicle coming and pull out in front of it. Another motorist may not see you and back into your car.
Some simple tips could help to prevent accidents and other problems in parking areas. The best way to thwart theft or vandalism is to park in a well-lit area. If there is a video camera mounted on a nearby light pole, parking in its view might stop a thief or vandal from targeting your vehicle.
Fluid leaks generally occur in areas where vehicles are stopped while idling. A busy intersection at the edge of the parking entrance might be prone to oil and other fluid leaks. That could make the spot especially slippery when you try to pull away from it.
Using your side mirror and turning your head and body to check around your vehicle could help to identify other vehicles and pedestrians. Many newer vehicles have rear cross-traffic alert systems that are designed to spot vehicles and pedestrians that you cannot see. Using them could help to prevent an accident.
Many local police forces no longer respond to accidents on private property. Unless you are at a municipal parking lot, all other parking areas are privately owned. An accident in the vast majority of parking areas is an accident on private property.
Many police forces also will not respond to a road-going accident unless injuries are involved. Unless you strike a pedestrian while pulling out of a parking spot, odds are no injuries would occur.
Without a police investigation and report on the accident, it could be harder to prove another driver caused an accident in a parking lot. It is very important to document any damage with a cellphone or digital camera and obtain contact information from any witnesses.
If you or a loved one has been in an accident or another issue involving parking, reach out to the Washington DC car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Duane O. King. Our skilled legal team will thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident and help you get the compensation for which you are entitled. Call us today at 202-331-1963 or contact us online for a free consultation. Located in Washington, DC, we work with clients in Prince George’s County, including Laurel, Beltsville, Adelphi, College Park, Greenbelt, Mitchellville, Woodmore, Greater Upper Marlboro, Springdale, Largo, Bowie, Capitol Heights, District Heights, Forestville, Suitland, and Seat Pleasant, Clinton, Oxon Hill, Temple Hills, and Fort Washington.
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