Here are some statistics that about how dangerous parking lot accidents can be:

• Every year there are over 60,000 injuries and 500 deaths in the United States due to car accidents in parking lots and garages.
• Nearly one in five car accidents happen in a parking lot or garage.
• Parking lot accidents are most likely to happen between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. when people are communiting to home from work or school.

So why are parking lot accidents so dangerous? There are a few reasons:

• There are a lot of pedestrians in parking lots, and cars often have to back up or turn around, making it easy to hit someone.
• Parking lots are often full of obstacles like shopping carts, garbage cans, and other vehicles, making it difficult to see people or things in your path.
• People tend to drive more quickly in parking lots than on streets or highways, which increases the risk of an accident.
• People choose to drive distracted. It is important to never be on your phone while driving. Many times people try to argue that they were trying to route GPS. There is no excuse for using your GPS while driving; routing where you need to go should be done while your car is parked and turned off. 
• People only do one check before backing out or moving in a parking lot. It is too common for people to glance from one angle and decide it is safe. Always check multiple times while backing up, making turns, or proceeding in a parking lot to ensure someone is not behind or near your car.
• Drivers trust backup cameras and sensors. Although these are tools to help detect something if you cannot see it, it is still your responsibility to check your surroundings, and you should never solely rely on these pieces of technology.

When involved in a parking lot accident, there are a few things you should do:

• Call the police. Even if the damage seems minor, it’s important to have an official report on file.
• Exchange information with the other driver, including insurance information.
• Take photos of the damage to both vehicles.
• Get the contact information of any witnesses.
• See a doctor, even if you don’t think you’re injured. Some injuries, like whiplash, can take days or weeks to appear.

If you’re injured in a parking lot accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.

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A pedestrian crosswalk is a designated area for pedestrians to walk across a road. In most cases, pedestrian crosswalks are marked by paint or lines on the pavement, and sometimes they also have signs or signals. 

Pedestrian crosswalk accidents are, unfortunately all too common. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), pedestrian fatalities account for about 16 percent of all traffic fatalities each year in the United States. And, of those pedestrian fatalities, nearly 70 percent occur at intersections or crosswalks.

While pedestrian crosswalks are designed for pedestrians’ safety, they are not guaranteed. Pedestrians can be wrong when using a crosswalk if they fail to yield to oncoming traffic, cross outside of the crosswalk markings, or jaywalk.

Jaywalking, in particular, is a significant problem when it comes to pedestrian crosswalk accidents. Jaywalking is defined as crossing a street outside of a designated crosswalk. It is illegal in many states, but that doesn’t stop people from doing it.

Jaywalking is dangerous because it puts pedestrians in the path of oncoming traffic, and drivers may not be expecting to see pedestrians crossing outside of a crosswalk. In 2016, there were nearly 6,000 pedestrian deaths in the United States, and about 15 percent of those were caused by jaywalking.

If you’re a pedestrian, it’s important to use crosswalks correctly and obey all traffic laws. And if you’re a driver, be extra cautious when driving near crosswalks, especially if pedestrians are nearby.

So, who has the right-of-way at a crosswalk?

Pedestrians generally have the right-of-way when crossing the street at a marked or unmarked crosswalk. This means drivers must yield to pedestrians and not pass other vehicles stopped at a crosswalk to avoid stopping pedestrians.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if a pedestrian is crossing the street outside a crosswalk when a crosswalk is available or against a traffic signal, the pedestrian does not have the right-of-way. In this case, drivers are not required to yield and may proceed through the intersection as usual.

Additionally, even when pedestrians have the right of way, they still need to exercise caution. Just because a driver is required to yield doesn’t mean that the driver will see the pedestrian or be able to stop in time. Pedestrians should always look both ways before crossing the street, even if they have the right-of-way, to ensure that it is safe to do so.

How To Stay Safe Crossing The Street:

• Put your phone away. Do you cross or begin to cross a street while being distracted.
• Look both ways before crossing the street, even if the crosswalk has a traffic light. Also, check behind and in front of you, as looking left to right will not give information if someone is coming up from a different angle. 
• If there is no traffic light, yield to oncoming traffic before entering the crosswalk.
• Always use a crosswalk if there is one.
• Make sure that all vehicles have stopped before proceeding across the street.
• Don’t assume drivers will yield to you – always be aware of your surroundings.

Following these simple tips can help reduce your risk of being involved in a crosswalk accident. Remember, pedestrian safety is always a shared responsibility.

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Safe Walking Location

Pedestrians should only find themselves walking in designated safe walking sections along the road, such as sidewalks, crosswalks, bridges, and any other safe walkways. If at any point you find that there is not a crosswalk, cross the road in a well-lit area and make sure you have a lot of room to ensure you are 100% safe to cross. This is not the time to get impatient; most high-speed collisions are fatal. Various roads prohibit pedestrian use, such as highways. Keep in mind where you’re walking.

Visibility

Vehicles are passing you at high speed, and they don’t have enough time to react if they can’t see you. It’s extremely effective that you make yourself as visible as possible if you’re walking during nighttime hours. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 30 percent of pedestrian-auto accident fatalities occur between 8 pm and 11:59 pm. 

Pedestrians can make themselves more visible to motorists by:

• Making eye contact with an approaching motorist as often as possible
• Wearing light and bright-colored clothing at night
• Travel in well-lit areas to increase visibility

Remain Alert

Every pedestrian should pay attention to their surroundings, nearby roadways, and the behavior of approaching vehicles at all times. It’s safe to assume that every driver is distracted and unaware of pedestrians near the road. If you see a motorist that is driving recklessly, try avoiding the path to the approaching vehicle.

Resist Temptation

Pedestrians should resist the temptation to use items that could cause them to become distracted when walking next to a high-traffic road. Should a pedestrian become distracted, they could unknowingly walk into the road or fail to follow traffic laws.  

Common ways pedestrians can become distracted:

• Listening to music with headphones
• Texting/Talking on the phone
• Reading while walking

Avoid Consuming Alcohol

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, nearly half of all pedestrian-auto accidents involve alcohol consumption. Just as drivers are not to drink and drive, pedestrians should avoid roadways when consumed alcohol. It is indeed better to stay safe than to take the risk when you are impaired. 

Best Pedestrian Personal Injury Attorney in Utah

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, seek medical attention as soon as possible; there is a chance that you have injuries that are unknown to you. Then contact an attorney to help you recover compensation for your damages. Call our attorneys here at Hernandez Law for a free consultation.

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