The roads in Tampa, Florida, can seem hectic at times. Road users often seek refuge and look for a place where they can pull over for a while.
Relief and respite often come in the form of parking lots, but such locations are not always free from the chaos of the roadways. Parking lot accidents are responsible for approximately 60,000 injuries every year as well as hundreds of fatalities in the U.S. So, what are the parking lot dangers that drivers need to be wary of?
Competition over spaces
Whatever the reason is for you pulling up, other drivers may have the same idea. This leads to the possibility of parking lots becoming busy, which means competition over spaces. During busy periods, it is easy to focus solely on searching for that empty space, and zoning in when finally locking eyes on it. Such situations mean that pedestrians as well as other potential hazards escape the attention of road users who have become fixated on a parking space. Additionally, it is not uncommon for two cars to be entering the same space at the same moment, making an accident much more likely.
Backing up accidents
Although it is good practice to reverse into spaces when possible, many drivers simply don’t do this. As a result, they have no option but to reverse when leaving. Blind spots on a vehicle can cause enough problems when moving in a forward motion, but the dangers are accentuated when reversing. It only takes a momentary lapse in concentration when reversing for a pedestrian to be struck or for a reversing vehicle to collide with another motor.
Keeping yourself safe on the roads includes protecting yourself in parking lots. If you have been caught up in a collision, it may be possible for you to pursue compensation for any injuries suffered.