Pedestrian crashes can cause devastating injuries. People on foot do not have any restraints or vehicle safety systems to protect them from the force of a collision. Although pedestrians are often very careful to be as safe as possible, drivers can easily make decisions that put pedestrians at high levels of risk.
Pedestrians are typically aware that they need to pay attention to their surroundings in parking lots so that they don’t end up hurt. What they may not realize is that the drivers near them may not be nearly as concerned about safety as they are.
Distraction in parking lots is a serious issue
There are many factors that contribute to parking lot collisions. In some cases, aggressive driving is the main factor that contributes to pedestrian crash risk. People speeding up to reach a spot before another driver does could easily fail to notice a pedestrian in time. Other times, large vehicles and the blind spots that they have can make it difficult for motorists to properly check their surroundings.
Unfortunately, many drivers increase their chances of causing a crash by engaging in unsafe behavior. While drivers may be aware that there are many pedestrians and parking lots, they may not take that into consideration when making decisions. Quite a few drivers admit to texting, sending or reading emails and even posting to social media while driving in parking lots.
While they might not engage in those same behaviors out on the road, they view them as relatively safe choices to make in a parking lot. Those short-sighted decisions by drivers can have life-altering consequences for pedestrians.
Pedestrians injured in car crashes may need assistance as they pursue compensation. The cost of their injuries can be difficult to cover with insurance alone. Understanding the factors that contribute to pedestrian crash risk can help people feel more confident if they seek compensation from at-fault parties who cause them harm later.