Beware of Parking Lot Accidents in Erie During the Holiday Shopping Season
For some individuals, holiday shopping began a few months ago. However, the Thanksgiving Holiday is the traditional start of the holiday shopping season. With more vehicles and people crowding into malls and shopping centers, it is not surprising that a higher than average number of parking lot accidents are reported beginning on Black Friday and continuing throughout the holiday season.
Are Parking Lot Accidents Common?
According to information from the National Security Council, there are approximately 50,000 accidents in parking lots and parking garages each year in the United States. More than 60,000 people are injured in these accidents annually. Sadly, over 500 people are killed in parking lot accidents each year.
What Causes an Increase in Parking Lot Accidents During the Holiday Shopping Season?
Common causes of parking lot accidents include:
- Driving the wrong direction
- Failing to look before backing out of a parking space
- Cutting off other drivers to get a parking space
- Failing to use turn signals
- Speeding and reckless driving
- Aggressive driving and road rage
- Packages blocking a driver’s view
In addition to the above causes of accidents in parking lots, distractions are a common cause of parking lot accidents.
Distracted Drivers and Distracted Pedestrians
Distracted driving is dangerous regardless of the location. However, when you place a distracted driver in a crowded parking lot, the potential for an accident can increase. Looking down for even a few seconds can result in a tragic pedestrian accident or car crash. A pedestrian who is distracted can step out in front of a vehicle or fall while walking through the parking lot.
In addition to the typical distractions, like cell phones and reaching for objects in the car, other distractions may include carrying too many packages and focusing on shopping lists or errands. Regardless of the distraction, inattention during the holidays can be deadly in a parking lot.
Filing an Injury Claim for a Parking Lot Accident
Filing a claim for damages sustained in a parking lot accident follows the same process as filing a claim for any other vehicle accident. However, some claims involving parking lot accidents can be a bit more difficult when the police were not called to the accident scene. When there is not a lot of physical damage to the vehicles, many drivers exchange insurance information, especially when a driver claims responsibility for the accident.
However, you cannot be sure a driver will not change his mind later to claim that you caused the crash. Without a police report, it turns into a battle between the two drivers over who caused the crash. If you are in this situation, you need to contact an Erie car accident attorney as soon as possible.
Contact an Erie Parking Lot Accident Attorney for More Information
Do not let a parking lot accident ruin your holiday season. Let our team of legal professionals handle the claim for you so that you can focus on your family.
Contact The Travis Law Firm at (800) 401-2066 to request a free legal consultation with our Erie County auto accident injury lawyer.