We tend to think of parking lot accidents as little more than irritating and inconvenient fender-benders, but according to the National Safety Council (NSC), thousands of injuries and hundreds of deaths occur in parking lot accidents each year, including in Austin. Although deadly accidents happen more often on highways than parking lots, parking lots are the most common places where accidents occur, including deadly pedestrian accidents as well as collisions between vehicles.
Why Are Parking Lot Accidents So Common In?
It may seem surprising that many accidents occur in parking lots where drivers aren’t driving at high speeds, but common conditions found in parking lots contribute to the high number of accidents in Austin and elsewhere. Parking lot accidents are common due to the following:
- Large numbers of vehicles moving within in a small area
- Pedestrians in close proximity to moving vehicles
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Frequent reversing
- Distracted pedestrians
- Confusing designs
- Inadequate signage
- Poor lighting
- Poorly designed entrance/exits
- Obstructions
- Poor visibility
- Loose shopping carts
- Inadequate maintenance
Distracted driving is one of the biggest contributors to parking lot accidents. The NSC study on parking lot crashes revealed that 66% of drivers admitted to making phone calls while entering, parking, or exiting parking lots. An additional 56% admitted to texting, 52% to scrolling through social media, and 49% to watching videos on their phones.
Injuries In Austin Parking Lot Accidents
Many of the most serious or deadly injuries in parking lot accidents happen when cars hit pedestrians; however, Injuries in parking lot accidents between two vehicles can be more serious than most people would expect. One reason for this is that many drivers do not buckle their seatbelts until after exiting a parking lot, leading to an increased chance of whiplash and other injuries even in low-speed collisions. Common injuries in parking lot accidents include the following:
- Fractures
- Neck injuries, including whiplash
- Back injuries
- Head injuries/ traumatic brain injuries
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Crush injuries such as internal bleeding/internal organ damage
- Lacerations, contusions and abrasions
When a parking lot accident includes more than a scratched car door or dented fender, it’s important to know that compensation is available through a Texas parking lot accident claim.
Proving Liability In Austin Parking Lot Accident Claims
Many motorists wrongly presume that investigating a high-speed accident on an interstate highway or an intersection accident is more complicated than determining liability for a low-speed accident in a parking lot, but parking lot accidents in Austin and elsewhere often require a thorough investigation to prove liability.
Parking lots can have confusing designs, making it sometimes challenging to prove which driver had the right of way. A skilled accident attorney examines the accident report, eyewitness testimony, and any available security camera footage to make a clear case for liability so a parking lot accident victim can recover compensation for damages.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover in an Austin Parking Lot Accident Claim?
With a compelling claim against an at-fault party in a parking lot accident claim, you could recover compensation from the at-fault party’s auto insurance or through a lawsuit. Common damages in Austin parking lot accident claims include:
- Property damage expenses
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost earnings and future income loss
- Compensation for pain and suffering
In some circumstances, an injury victim can recover additional compensation, for instance, if the accident resulted in traumatic limb loss, disfigurement, or the loss of one of the senses.
How Can a Car Accident Attorney In Austin Help My Case?
If a parking lot accident results in injury, fatality, or more than $1,000 in property damage, Texas law requires the involved drivers to report the accident to the police as well as their insurance companies. Call the motor vehicle accident lawyers in Austin at Shaw Cowart, LLP to defend your best interests throughout the investigation and insurance claim process.