Parking Lots!

Apparently people in Hong Kong all back into their parking spots, except for that one guy!

Did you know that more accidents happen in parking lots than anywhere else? It’s hard to believe but it is true. This is both good and bad. Generally, parking lot damage is usually pretty minimal and the chance for injuries are small due to the slow speeds. But, it still doesn't eliminate the annoyance of having an accident and getting your car fixed.
There are things you can do to help minimize parking lot accidents. The first thing to consider is where you park. If you don’t mind walking it is always safer to park farther away from your destination where you aren't surrounded by cars. This not only limits the amount of door dings. It also gives you more space and a better view of where cars are. When you are boxed into a small spot visibility is much worse. So, if you don’t mind walking a little further park away from all the other cars. You'll get less door dings and you can pull out of the spot easier.
Now, sometimes you have no choice but to park between two cars. One good option is to back into the parking spot. The advantage of backing in is that when you are pulling out of the spot you have a much better view of traffic moving around the parking lot. You aren’t straining to look over your shoulders trying to see if cars are coming from both directions. With the addition of backup cameras it makes backing into a parking spot much easier.
If you aren’t confident in your ability to back into a spot you can always look for a spot where you can pull through one spot into another. The front of your car is now facing out. This will make it easy to pull out of the spot because once again you are able to look forward, not look over your shoulder.
There are times were pulling front in is the only option you have. Or, when you go to the grocery store you may want your trunk facing out to easily load everything in. When you go to back out of that spot you need to go slowly. You need to look both ways and not just rely on your camera. Sometimes people will travel down the parking lanes faster than they should and you need to be diligent to make sure you spot them. The cars in lane have the right of way and they don’t have to stop for you. If you back out and hit them you will be considered at fault in an accident.
With the increase in the size of the cars parking spots seem to be getting smaller. When you are pulling into a spot make sure you are picking a spot you can easily navigate into. Don’t try to force your vehicle into a spot that is too tight. You don't want to clip the side of a parked car.
If you do end up hitting a parked car you are required by law to leave a note with your name, phone number and your insurance policy number, company name and their phone number.  This isn’t an option or done on a case by case basis. With the proliferation of cameras if you are caught doing a hit and run you can expect to get fined.
Now if you come out and you find damage to your car with no note. You can still get your car fixed. But, you will need to pay your deductible.  If you can find a store with a camera facing your vehicle you can always ask if they can check to see if they can pick up a plate on the car that hit you. Then when you call your insurance company and they can go after the driver of the car.
The best practices in the parking lots are to just be careful pulling in and out of spots. Park away from the other cars if possible. And, if you can back into the spot or pull through two spots so you face out it will make for a much easier departure. Call me today to get a quote on your auto or home insurance. 951-395-0754