Parking Lots a Hotspot for Distracted Driving

Just as driver distraction is common on the roadways, so too is it a growing danger in parking lots. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), two out of three drivers in parking lots are actively distracted behind the wheel.

If you are injured by a distracted driver during this busy holiday season, you may be entitled to compensation covering the medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering that may be associated with the personal injuries that were sustained in the collision.

The New Jersey car accident attorneys at Lynch Law Firm, PC will work tirelessly to maximize your compensation settlement and hold distracted drivers responsible for the harm they have caused.

A recent NSC poll found that 66 percent of drivers admit to making phone calls as they drive through parking lots; 56 percent say they text while driving in parking lots.

With a vast majority of drivers distracted in parking lots, the NSC urges both drivers and pedestrians to be aware of their surroundings this holiday shopping season and to avoid distractions while moving about parking lots.

Parking lots are riskier than many people know – more than 50,000 auto accidents take place in parking garages and parking lots each year, resulting in more than 60,000 injuries and approximately 500 deaths. With national traffic deaths trending upwards, the NSC warns accident risks in parking facilities could possibly increase this year.

Drivers are not the only ones distracted in parking lots and garages – pedestrians are, too. Between 2001 and 2011, more than 11,000 pedestrians who were distracted by their cellphones sustained serious injuries in accidents. Last year, overall pedestrian deaths jumped nine percent over the previous year to the highest total since 1996.

To prevent distraction, the NSC urges drivers to utilize onboard systems to their advantage:

• 63 percent of parking lot drivers admit to using GPS systems while in motion – the NSC recommends programming destinations prior to departure.
• 51 percent of parking garage and parking lot deaths each year happen when drivers are reversing – the NSC urges drivers to use onboard backup cameras as well as other measures to look out for pedestrians and other drivers.

Call (800) 518-0508  and speak to our legal team today.