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A news story on the Westchase Patch told the sad story of a 12-year-old boy who was killed in an accident that took place in the parking lot of the apartment complex where he lived. Based on information obtained from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the middle school student was running through his apartment complex to catch the school bus when he crossed in front of the SUV that ultimately struck him and knocked him to the ground. The child hit his head on the pavement and after being transported to the hospital, he died.

All too often, Randall Spivey and his team of Ft. Myers personal injury lawyers hear of these heartbreaking stories where kids (and adults) are injured or killed in parking lots. Whether you are in the parking lot of your apartment complex or at a local mall lot, the results from parking lot accidents can be just as devastating as accidents that occur on roadways. Still, there are a number of things individuals can do to keep themselves and their children safe when walking through area parking lots.

A Look at Accidents That Occur in Parking Lots

Parking lot accidents happen more frequently than many people realize. As a matter of fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has estimated that about 22 percent of kids ranging from 5 to 9 years of age were killed as pedestrians in traffic incidents -- most of which happened because the drivers did not see the children when backing up. A report that was published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that hundreds of individuals in Florida and all around the country have sustained fatal injuries at work due to them being hit by vehicles or mobile equipment in workplace parking lots.

Many people do not find parking lots to be especially dangerous in terms of the possibility of being hit by a vehicle; however, there are some common reasons for parking lot accidents of which everyone should be aware. For instance, when drivers enter a parking lot, they are typically focused on looking for a parking spot -- not necessarily on pedestrians walking through.

Moreover, many driver’s pull into a parking space front-end first. So, when it comes time to leave, they have to back out of the spot, which can lead to numerous issues involving vehicle blind spots and other objects that can obstruct a driver’s view. Also, parking lots are often crowded, which can result in substantial confusion and ultimately create an atmosphere of reckless driving.

What to Do If You’re in a Parking Lot Collision

Whenever you are involved in a traffic incident, it is very important for you to protect yourself--and your legal rights. If you are involved in a parking lot crash, you should first seek medical attention for anyone who may have gotten hurt during the incident. Additionally, if you are able to move your vehicle, it should be moved to a safe area, out of the way of flow-thru traffic. If your car is immovable, be sure to turn on your flashers.

Always contact local law enforcement after any collision, but especially one that involves injuries or major property damage. You should also contact the lot’s private security patrol (if there is one) and inform them of the crash.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a parking lot accident or any other type of accident, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. right away.