Pedestrian Accidents in Parking Lots

 Posted on December 27, 2023 in Pedestrian Accidents

When you think of parking lot accidents, you probably picture two vehicles in an accident. However, it is reported that one in five accidents takes place in a parking lot, killing 500 or more pedestrians each year and injuring over 60,000 people.

In running last-minute errands, motor vehicle drivers may not be paying full attention to their surroundings. One study found that 9% of pedestrian fatalities are the result of backing up vehicles. Driver inattention combined with a large number of pedestrians and no designated place for people to walk accounts for a substantial number of accidents.

If you have been the victim of a parking lot accident, you need the Waukegan pedestrian accident attorneys at Salvi & Maher, LLP to advocate on your behalf.

Why are There So Many Pedestrian Accidents in Parking Lots?

Most motorists do not take the same care in a parking lot as they would on the road. The most common reasons for pedestrian accidents are:

Vehicle Operators Usually Do Not Follow Traffic Rules 

Many drivers do not follow the rules of the road when driving around parking lots. Many drivers do not stay in their lane, and most drivers will cut through parking spaces. This disregard for traffic laws results in a large number of deaths.

More Distracted Drivers

In a poll, 66% of parking lot drivers admitted that they would make a phone call while driving through a parking lot. This is a form of distracted driving. Distracted driving is any task that takes your mind away from driving, your hands off the wheel, and your eyes off the road. 

In the same poll, respondents also stated that they would program navigational systems (63%), text (56%), use social media (52%), send or receive emails (50%), and take photos or watch videos (49%).

Someone on foot is no match for a moving vehicle. If a motorist is distracted, the consequences are often devastating.

There are Significantly More Pedestrians

There are usually few or no pedestrians on country roads, with a higher number of people on city streets. However, in cities, pedestrians have crosswalks and assistance from pedestrian lights and crosswalk blinkers to cross the street safely. Strangely, this is not the case in parking lots, which usually have a substantial pedestrian population. 

There is No Safe Place for Pedestrians to Walk

On a service road or back road, pedestrians are usually on the shoulder, out of the way of traffic. In most parking lots, on the other hand, there is no place for pedestrians to walk that is away from traffic. Pedestrians are forced to walk behind vehicles, which is just asking for trouble.

If you have been hit in a parking lot, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries. Do not hesitate to contact our Lake County pedestrian accident attorneys to find out more.

Injured in a Parking Lot? Contact our Waukegan, IL, Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Today

Pedestrian accidents take place frequently in parking lots, and many are completely preventable. If you have been the victim of a parking lot accident, our Lake County, IL, pedestrian accident attorneys want to hear from you. Contact Salvi & Maher, LLP online or by calling 847-662-3303 today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.