Dealing With Parking Lot Accidents
Florida parking lots are a part of Floridians’ everyday lives. People rarely put much thought into the possibility of being involved in accidents in such spaces. However, a parking lot is just as risky as a highway. According to the NSC (National Safety Council), tens of thousands of crashes occur in parking lots every year nationwide. These crashes lead to both injuries and death.
The leading cause of parking lot accidents, according to the NSC, is distracted driving. According to an opinion poll, 66% of drivers do not see anything wrong with driving through parking lots while making phone calls. On the other hand, 63% of motorists would comfortably program GPS systems while driving through parking lots.
Other distractions that lead to parking lot accidents include;
- texting
- social media
- emails
- taking pictures or watching videos
Most motorists who comfortably drive while distracted in parking lots feel it is safe to do so because of slow speeds. Unfortunately, slow speeds do not guarantee safety. Motorists need to avoid distracted driving.
Motorists must also keep other safety tips in mind. When driving through parking lots, motorists need to;
- stay in their lines,
- anticipate the actions of other motorists,
- obey all signs, and
- be mindful of pedestrians and vehicles when backing out.
Dealing With Parking Lot Accidents
Victims of parking lot accidents, especially those that suffer severe injuries due to a driver’s negligence, should follow the following steps to ensure they are safe and protect their finances.
- Seek Medical Attention
If you sustain an injury after a parking lot accident, call for medical help immediately. Even when you can’t notice an injury right away, seek medical help because some injuries do not show immediately.
- Call Law Enforcers
After seeking medical attention, call law enforcers, especially if you think you sustained a severe injury, to the accident scene so they can start their investigation and you can file a report.
- Obtain the Other Driver’s Information
As you wait for the police to respond to your call, obtain as much information as you can from the other driver. Ensure you get information such as their name, driver’s license number, and insurance details.
When dealing with an uncooperative driver, try to obtain information that doesn’t require you to question them, such as the car’s license plate number, color, and model.
- Take Pictures
Pictures are crucial because they can act as evidence in court. With quality images, you can prove negligence and liability.
Take quality pictures of the accident scene and surrounding area, as long as your condition allows you to do so.
- Contact Your Attorney
Your attorney will guide you on how to go about reporting the incident to your insurance company. They will also advise and guide you if you decide to file a personal injury claim.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
The experienced Orlando personal injury attorneys at the Pendas Law Firm are on standby waiting to help you if you were involved in a parking lot accident and qualify for compensation. Throughout the litigation, we guarantee to stand by your side to ensure the negligent driver is held answerable for the harm caused. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Ocala, Daytona Beach, Tampa, Bradenton, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach areas.
Resource:
nsc.org/road-safety/safety-topics/distracted-driving/parking-lot-safety
