Who Has the Right of Way in a Parking Lot in Texas?

Parking Lot Accident

By law, the vehicle coming into the traffic lane has the right-of-way. Those that are pulling out of a spot must yield to those driving through.

Similarly, vehicles driving in a thoroughfare have the right of way over those driving in a feeder lane. This means if you are driving out of a feeder lane, you must stop and allow traffic in the thoroughfare to proceed.

If you have been injured in a parking lot accident, first, call the police. It’s important to document the scene and file a claim, whether the damage is major or not. Proper documentation will protect you so that the other party will not make false claims in the future. Finding a witness will also be helpful in properly reporting the incident. Finally, be proactive. Reach out to a parking lot lawyer for help obtaining compensation for your car accident injuries.

It’s important to document the scene and file a claim, whether the damage is major or not.

Parking Lot Accident Facts

Many people think of parking lots as relatively safe places; however, this could not be further from the truth. Parking lots are populated not only with cars, but also with plenty of pedestrians. Because of the high number of pedestrians walking in such close proximity to cars, parking lot accidents are surprisingly numerous. The National Safety Council reports that one out of every five auto pedestrian accidents occurs in a parking lot; and, distracted driving in parking lots has become a new cause of these types of motor vehicle accidents.

According to a recent study conducted by the National Safety Council, 66% of drivers believe making phone calls while driving through a parking lot is safe, and 56% believe texting is safe while driving through a parking lot. Unfortunately, the false sense of security doesn’t end there. According to the study, drivers are also comfortable engaging in these dangerous distracted driving behaviors while driving in parking lots:

  • Programming GPS (63%)
  • Using social media (52%)
  • Sending or receiving emails (50%)
  • Taking photos (49%)
  • Watching videos (49%)
  • Surfing the Internet (43%)
  • Using a SmartWatch (43%)
  • Video chatting (42%)

While many people believe teenage drivers are the ones using a cell phone while driving, the reality is teens are actually less likely than adults to engage in these dangerous behaviors. There is no safe time to use a cell phone while driving. Any type of distraction can lead to fatal car accidents. Every time a driver gets behind the wheel, they need to stay focused and alert to protect themselves, any passengers, other motorists, and surrounding pedestrians from harm.

Tips for Staying Safe in a Parking Lot

Every year, over 60,000 individuals are injured in auto pedestrian accidents in parking lots and parking garages. One of the most common causes of these accidents is distracted driving, specifically using a cell phone while driving. Because of parking structure, drivers are moving at relatively low speeds and they develop a false sense of security where they believe using a cell phone is safe.

Contact a Parking Lot Accident Lawyer

Feel free to contact our parking lot accident attorneys today to set up a free consultation. The Lubbock car accident lawyers at Liggett Law Group have over 70 years combined experience in handling a wide variety of car accident lawsuits. Don’t settle for less than maximum case value. Contact us today.