You have probably read a lot about avoiding car accidents on major roads, like highways and interstates. There is a lot of attention paid to these roads when it comes to strategies on avoiding crashes. Accidents on major roads can often cause severe or life-threatening injuries.

However, people often forget there are a lot of accidents in parking lots, including parking lots at retail stores, shopping malls and large venues, like stadiums and arenas. The Silver Spring car accident lawyers at Goldberg Finnegan are committed to helping you stay safe while traveling through parking lots. Below, learn more about how to reduce your risk of a parking lot accident.

Lowering the Risk of a Crash

Fortunately, there are several ways to lower the risk of a crash, including:

  • Planning your visit – Try to avoid peak shopping times if you can. There will be fewer drivers in the parking lot.
  • Slowing down – Slow down when driving through a parking lot. Vehicles may appear out of nowhere or quickly get into your lane, so it is important that you have enough time to stop if the need arises. Also, going slower can help you avoid many other dangers in parking lots, like running children and shopping carts. Try to keep your speed at around five miles per hour.
  • Signaling your intentions – Make your next move obvious to others around you by using your turn signal.
  • Parking smart – Select a parking spot that will allow you to exit easily from the spot. There may be a spot open that allows you to drive forward when leaving, rather than backing out. You may also be able to park further away where you are less likely to get your vehicle hit by stray shopping carts or nearby cars. Also, center your vehicle in between the parking space lines to avoid getting hit by nearby vehicles’ doors.
  • Avoiding distractions – Avoid distractions while in a parking lot. Turn off the music, keep your eyes focused on the road and avoid grabbing your phone. Avoid eating or drinking while pulling into a space. Keep things quiet in your vehicle so that you are aware of your surroundings and you can hear alert sounds, such as a scream or horn.
  • Being cautious when backing out – When you are backing out from a space, turn your head to each side to see if it is clear behind you. While your mirrors and cameras can help, you may still have blind spots, so it is best to manually inspect your surroundings. Move slowly while backing out so that others have time to steer clear of you.
  • Setting your side mirrors – Move your side mirrors further out. This can help you see better around you.
  • Using new technology – There are a number of different types of technologies that can help you stay safe in the parking lot. You can add blind spot mirrors to your side mirrors. You can also install rear view cameras that can help see behind you on a screen. Radar systems alert you when there is a nearby object. Some newer models of vehicles offer parking assistance systems that automatically park your car.

Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in an accident in a parking lot, it is important that you understand your rights. A personal injury attorney with Goldberg Finnegan can review the circumstances surrounding your accident and determine who is responsible for your injuries. We can help you file a claim and assist with each aspect of the case.