As the holiday season approaches, more people will head out for holiday shopping and navigate busy parking lots filled with drivers and pedestrians.
Larger crowds at malls and shopping centers mean heavier parking-lot traffic, making pedestrian and car accidents a serious concern.
Here are some holiday shopping safety tips from the parking lot accident lawyers at Kornbluth Ginsberg Law Group, P.A.
Holiday Parking Lot Safety Tips for Drivers and Pedestrians
Drivers and pedestrians both have a responsibility to act responsibly in parking lots. Keep these parking lot safety tips in mind to help reduce the risk of a collision or slip-and-fall accident:
- Drive slowly. Watch for vehicles backing out of parking spaces and pedestrians darting into traffic.
- Use caution when backing up. Check your mirrors, cameras, and blind spots.
- Use your headlights. Do so any time visibility is reduced.
- Allow extra stopping distance on wet, icy, or snowy pavement. North Carolina winters are mild, but be careful when shopping in winter weather.
- Watch closely for children, shopping carts, and distracted pedestrians. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-173, drivers must yield to pedestrians in certain crosswalk scenarios. Whether this rule applies in a parking lot depends on the facts of the case. Regardless, never assume pedestrians see your vehicle.
- Stay off your cell phone. Distracted driving and walking can contribute to parking lot accidents.
- Use marked crosswalks and sidewalks whenever available. If an officer is directing traffic through a crowded parking lot, follow their instructions.
- Watch for wet leaves, puddles, and uneven pavement. These hazards can increase the risk of a slip-and-fall accident.
How Can Shoppers Prevent Parking Lot Accidents?
Pedestrians can lower their risk of a parking lot accident by staying alert and practicing a few simple parking lot safety habits.
You should:
- Put your phone away while walking in or crossing traffic lanes.
- Use crosswalks and sidewalks whenever possible.
- Make eye contact with the driver before crossing in front of their vehicle.
- Watch for cars pulling out of spaces.
- Stay especially alert near store entrances, where foot traffic is often heavier.
- Wear shoes with good traction in inclement weather.
Who May Be Responsible for a Parking Lot Injury?
Several parties may be liable for a parking lot injury, depending on the circumstances. For example, a driver may be at fault for speeding, failing to yield, backing up negligently, or distracted driving.
In other cases, a property owner or other party may share responsibility if a dangerous condition contributed to the injury, such as poor lighting, damaged pavement, or an unsafe traffic pattern.
Similarly, a pedestrian could be found partly responsible if they crossed outside a designated crosswalk, ignored traffic signals, or walked into a vehicle’s path without looking.
Because the parties may disagree about what happened or who was at fault, it’s important to document the scene and preserve key evidence.
If possible, accident victims should:
- Take photos or videos of vehicle positions, skid marks, signs, lighting, pavement conditions, and visible injuries.
- Exchange contact and insurance information with the driver.
- Request contact information from any witnesses.
- File an incident report with the police, store manager, mall security, or property owner when appropriate. Ask about available surveillance footage.
- Seek medical attention and keep records of any injuries and related expenses.
When Should You Contact a Parking Lot Accident Lawyer?
Not all situations require legal support. But if you got seriously hurt and are dealing with medical expenses or lost wages as a result of your injury — and especially if the accident wasn’t your fault — it’s essential to contact a parking lot accident attorney as soon as possible to review your legal options.
Under North Carolina’s contributory negligence doctrine, you can lose your right to compensation if you are even 1% responsible for a parking lot accident (Newton v. New Hanover County Bd. of Educ., 342 N.C. 554, 467 S.E.2d 58 (1996).
But don’t assume you’re out of options until a lawyer evaluates your case. At Kornbluth Ginsberg Law Group, P.A., we provide free legal consultations.
Contact a Parking Lot Accident Attorney Today
At Kornbluth Ginsberg, we encourage everyone to stay alert and take precautions to help prevent parking lot accidents during the holiday season.
If you have questions about a recent injury in Durham, Sanford, or elsewhere in the Triangle, call or contact our offices today.
