When we think of car accidents, the first thing that comes to mind is busy roads and bustling streets. However, do you know that most accident claims in Ontario occur during parking lot accidents? Generally, when we think of parking lots we imagine cars still parked, so what makes these places such a hot spot for accidents? Luckily, isure has everything you need to know about parking lot accidents.
What is a parking lot accident?
To understand how parking lot accidents work, we must first understand what they are. Well, they are exactly what they sound like! These are accidents that occur in parking lots, garages, and spaces, and not on the road. Car accidents are a popular occurrence in Ontario. The combination of vehicles, pedestrians, shopping carts, and medians makes for a potential disaster recipe. On top of this, the tight driving lanes and high traffic don’t make the situation much easier.
With all of these factors, it’s no surprise parking lot accidents account for one in five car accidents in Ontario. While most of these accidents are minor and involve low-speed impact, they can still result in serious damage and injury. On top of this, they are almost always avoidable. Due to the severity these can have on your car insurance, many of these parking lot accidents go unreported. On top of this, there is a large increase in hit and runs.
What happens if I’m in a parking lot accident in Ontario?
Since parking lots are considered private property and not public, many people assume the process will differ in a parking lot accident. However, this is not the case! Parking lot accidents should be treated the same as any other type of car accident.
Like any road accident, it is crucial to first check and make sure all parties involved are ok and not injured. From there, if your damage exceeds the $2,000 threshold in Ontario, notify the police and file an accident report. If you have been involved in a parking lot accident, you must follow the rules below:
- Move your vehicle out of the way of traffic if it is deemed safe to do so.
- Make sure you and all other parties involved are not injured.
- Exchange your information with the other driver.
- If the damage exceeds $2,000 make sure you report the accident.
- If required, take your vehicle to the nearest collision reporting centre.
- Notify your insurer!
Who’s at fault in these situations?
Determining who is at fault in the accident can be one of the most challenging aspects of a parking lot accident. Like any other auto accident, the fault is determined on a case-by-case basis. Determining fault in a parking lot accident can sometimes prove difficult due to the variety of factors that come into play.
It is important to note that drivers in the traffic lane hold the right of way over vehicles that are exiting parking spots. This is a key piece of information when determining fault. In many instances, one driver may be solely at fault, while in other situations the fault is shared.
It is a common misconception that all parking lot accidents are considered 50 50 at fault. This is not the case. In general, if you collide with a legally parked vehicle, you are to blame for the at-fault accident. Anyone who is exiting a parking spot must yield to the vehicle driving down the lane. If you disobey a traffic sign and it results in an accident, you’ll likely be found at fault.
Types of parking lot accidents
Parking lot accidents come in many shapes and forms. Some of the most common include the following:
- A car hits a pedestrian or cyclist. Pedestrians can pop out of nowhere, especially in crowded parking lots. From exiting stores, crossing through spots, and getting out of their vehicles, there are a lot of opportunities for accidents to occur.
- A moving car hits a stationary vehicle. This is one of the most common types of parking lot accidents. You are going on with your day and accidentally hit another stationary vehicle.
- A vehicle hits a stationary object. There are many things in parking lots that you can accidentally collide with. From signs, to light posts to shopping carts, there is no shortage of objects in parking lots that you can hit. If you do hit one of these, you will be 100% at fault.
- Two cars back up into each other. If two vehicles are backing out at the same time, there runs the risk of them colliding with each other. In this instance, both drivers generally share fault.
- Two vehicles rear-end each other. If you rear-end another vehicle at a stop sign or within another area of the parking lot, you will most likely be at fault. Similar to the roads, it’s important to keep an eye on your surroundings at all times.
Will a parking lot accident go on my record?
Unfortunately, yes. A parking lot accident is treated the same as an accident anywhere else. If reported correctly, a parking lot accident will go on your driving record and impact your insurance premiums. Due to this, many drivers choose to not report parking lot accidents. In worst cases, they illegally perform a hit-and-run accident.
What is a hit-and-run?
Unfortunately, stories of vehicles getting hit in parking lots are far too common. Many of these don’t get accounted for as they often result in hit-and-runs. This is when the person at fault in the accident flees the scene and fails to leave information. In many cases, police are unable to track down the other driver. However, if you have been affected by a hit and run, it is a good idea to file a police report.
What many people don’t know is that if you’ve hit a vehicle without realizing it and left the scene, you can still be charged with a hit-and-run.
How to avoid parking lot accidents
Parking lots are busy places and a hot spot for accidents. So, how can we go about making sure we don’t get into any accidents while searching for a spot or leaving the mall? Here are some tips on avoiding parking lot accidents:
- Stay focused, paying attention to your surroundings at all times.
- Don’t rely solely on your backup camera. Look at them as an aid and not your only viewpoint.
- Proceed with caution when driving down lanes and while driving close to store entrances.
- Drive within the posted speed limit.
- Make sure you follow all traffic signs.
Parking lot accidents and insurance
Insurers treat parking lot accidents just like any other type of car accident. This means that the same rules are used to determine the cause of the accident. On top of this, if you’re found at fault, your car insurance premiums can rise. Like any other accident, your insurance provider should be notified immediately, even if you plan on paying for damages out of pocket.
We hope that with this article, you have learned a thing or two when it comes to parking lot accidents and how to prevent them. Remember, if you are in the market for new car insurance, get in touch with us at isure! We offer some of the best prices when it comes to premiums. And even more, customer service you can always rely on. Contact us or request a quote today!
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