Parking lots are hectic hubs for all kinds of traffic. There are cars, delivery trucks, pedestrians, and cyclists all converging in one congested area. And with the high volume of traffic at the thousands of restaurant and store parking lots in Palm Beach County, accidents will inevitably happen.

While they are often less serious, fatalities do occur. In fact, a 34 year old woman suffered a wrongful death in Boynton Beach recently when she was run over in a Wells Fargo Parking lot on Military Trail. This can also be a gray legal area in terms of personal injury law as well, since they are not roads per se and often you can’t even find the other driver afterward.

The most common type of parking lot crash is when a car backs into another car while trying to leave the parking lot. Even a simple fender-bender can cause expensive damage to your vehicle and/or long-term injuries to your body.  However, there are ways to minimize the risk of getting into an accident in a parking lot. The best way is to stay alert at all times and be aware of your surroundings.

At Zappitell Law Firm in Delray Beach, our attorneys and caring staff treat our clients like family. We are also vastly experienced in handling cases involving shopping areas. Even if you are just filing an insurance claim, we will give you loyal and personal advice on the best options for you and your family. Call (561) 330-6330 for a confidential consultation.

What are the Most Common Causes of Parking Lot Crashes?

The distractions in a parking lot while driving can be extensive. Find yourself at Mizner Park in Boca Raton or Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach on a Friday night and you’ll know what we are talking about! People jaywalking all over the place, luxury cars and motorcycles revving their engines, music coming from all around, and you haven’t even got out of the car yet. Aside from that, other real problems can encourage a fender-bender no matter what parking lot you are driving into, such as:

• Driver error
• Poor lighting
• Poor signage
• Potholes and cracks in the parking lot surface
• Poor maintenance of the parking lot area

How to Avoid Parking Lot Accidents

Driver error is the main cause of any accident in a parking lot. By following a few easy-to-remember steps, you can avoid being one of those drivers. Take a look and note how many of these things you find yourself doing while driving in a parking lot.

Avoid Using Your Phone

According to a poll by the National Safety Council (NSC), 66% of drivers admitted to using their phones while driving through parking lots. What percent of drivers didn’t admit to it? You need to be more attentive in a parking lot because things can come at you from any direction, at any speed.

Drive Slowly Through the Lot

You cannot anticipate what other people are thinking or what they might do next. Driving slowly will give you time to react to other drivers and most especially pedestrians. Someone can come out from between two cars in a fraction of a second. Protect yourself and others by simply slowing down.

Stay Alert When You Are Behind the Wheel

If you took our advice and slowed down, it will be much easier to stay alert. Look for potholes to avoid tearing up your suspension. Maybe roll your window down so you can hear what’s going on outside. Stop at every stop sign, even if you think there is nobody around. As we said, people and cars can come from any direction at any speed in a parking lot.

Zappitell Law Firm Can Help File Your Claim

Led by attorney David Zappitell, a Top 100 trial lawyer, member of the million-dollar advocate forum, 5-star lawyer, and “Litigator of the Year” with the American Institute of Trial Lawyers, our team of caring legal professionals will take on the burden of pursuing your case, allowing you to focus on your life. Call Zappitell Law Firm and tell us about your parking lot crash in Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, or Boca Raton at (561) 330-6330 or click here for a complimentary consultation.