Pedestrians are vulnerable in many different scenarios. They could end up involved in crashes if they jog on rural roads before sunrise or try to cross a busy urban road at an unmarked location. They may actually have more risk than they realize in parking lots as well.
People generally assume that parking lots are relatively safe for pedestrians, as drivers maintain slow speeds in parking lots. Contrary to that assumption, the risk may actually be higher than people realize.
Drivers aren’t as cautious in parking lots
One of the reasons that parking lots can be quite dangerous is that drivers may not treat them with the respect they deserve. Self-reported data for motorists indicates that they are more likely to engage in distracted driving in parking lots than elsewhere.
They may use social media or text with others when they would never engage in those behaviors on the open road. Their lack of situational awareness could lead to them striking a pedestrian.
There are more opportunities for incidents
When pedestrians cross the road, they tend to move quickly and to watch their surroundings carefully. In parking lots, they may have a false sense of confidence, much like drivers do.
Unfortunately, motorists may not watch for pedestrians as they should, and pedestrians might not prioritize safety either. The high number of vehicles and pedestrians in a small space creates an opportunity for preventable pedestrian collisions.
Pedestrians hurt in crashes may have life-altering injuries. Pursuing an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit can help people cover the losses triggered by a pedestrian collision, even if it occurs in a parking lot, not on the road.