Distracted Driving Accidents In Fresno Parking Lots
We hear a lot about distracted driving accidents. Distracted driving has become one of the most common causes of accidents in the United States. According to the CDC, distracted driving accidents result in approximately 8 deaths and 1,161 deaths in the United States each day.
In a recent news article in Fortune, the author noted that traffic accident fatalities rose by 7.2 percent in 2015 which was the largest increase in traffic accident deaths in 50 years. Distracted driving accidents accounted for about 10 percent of those fatalities. The article also reported that the NHTSA found that distraction-affected crashes rose increased by 8.8 percent. However, the crashes are not limited to our roads. Many drivers are guilty of distracted driving while in parking lots.
Distracted Driving in Parking Lots
Some drivers assume that because they are in a parking lot and they are traveling at very low speeds, they are safer doing some of the things that they may not do when on the highway or interstate. Are you guilty of doing any of the following activities while driving in a parking lot?
- Writing, reading, or sending texts or emails
- Using social media websites
- Making, receiving, or talking on a cell phone
- Programming your GPS
- Watching videos
- Surfing the internet
- Using a smartphone
- Taking photographs
- Engaging in a video chat
If so, you are not alone. Thousands of people admit to engaging in the above activities while driving in a parking lot according to a survey conducted by the National Security Council (NSC). The NSC found that more than 50,000 parking lot accidents occur each year in the United States resulting in over 500 deaths and more than 60,000 injuries.
Other Causes of Parking Lot Accidents
Unfortunately, distracted driving is not the only reason for Fresno parking lot accidents. Other causes of parking lot accidents include:
- Speeding
- Inclement weather
- Distracted pedestrians
- Reckless driving
- Not looking before backing up
- Racing for a space
- Parking lot conditions
Regardless of the reason for the accident, if a driver causes a parking lot accident, that driver can be held liable for damages. If you are injured in a parking lot accident, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your property damage, lost wages, medical bills, physical pain, and other damages.
Don’t assume you are not seriously injured just because you were in a low-speed, parking lot accident. Even low-speed accidents can result in serious, life-threatening injuries. You should always see a doctor as soon as possible after any type of accident to protect your health and protect your ability to file an accident claim against the driver or another party who is responsible for the accident.
Call a Fresno Parking Lot Accident Attorney
After seeking medical treatment for your injuries, call our Fresno parking lot accident attorney for a free consultation and case evaluation. Call the Fresno parking lot accident attorneys of Torem & Associates at (888) 500-5000or use the contact form on our website to schedule a free case evaluation. In most cases, we don’t charge any attorney’s fees unless we win a settlement for you. Therefore, it does not cost you anything to receive sound legal advice when you are injured by a negligent, careless, or reckless individual.
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