Car Accident Causes Car to Burst Into Flames After Pulling Out of a Parking Lot
Image from ABC 13 Eyewitness News
On the night of Saturday, July 14th, a two-vehicle car crash in Houston, North Harris County, ended with one vehicle in flames.
West Hardy at Beltway 8, 8:30 P.M.
An eyewitness stated that at around 8:30 p.m., a male driver was leaving a gas station on West Hardy at Beltway 8 when he collided with another female driver.
Shortly after, one of the cars burst into flames. Luckily, no one was hurt at the scene, however, the female driver was taken to a local hospital.
Parking Lot Accident Statistics
According to an article by the National Safety Council :
- More than 50,000 accidents occur in parking lots and garage structures yearly, taking the lives of more than 500 victims and injuring more than 60,000 others.
- The holidays mark a riskier time of the year for parking lot accidents; running from Black Friday through the holiday shopping season.
- This amount is likely to be higher as many fender-benders go unreported.
Why Parking Lot Accidents Happen
Oftentimes, parking lot accidents occur for a number of reasons including:
- Drivers keep their eyes focused on an open parking spot when entering a parking lot. This causes them to neglect watching out for other drivers and pedestrians who are out and about in the parking lot.
- Drivers aren’t watching their blind spots when reversing out of a parking spot.
- Traffic laws aren’t enforced in a parking lot so reckless driving may ensue.
- Congested parking lots add to the risk of vehicular accidents and injury to pedestrians.
- Drivers fail to look both ways, over or underestimate traffic speed, or intentionally cut off traffic when merging on to the road.
- Drivers become distracted while using a cell phone to make a call, text, use social media, review emails, take photos, or watch videos. Grooming while driving is also another form of distracted driving that people do in parking lots.
Staying Safe in Parking Lots
Staying safe in a parking lot requires the same level of diligence as driving out on a busy roadway. Consider the following:
- Stay in the designated traffic lane.
- Avoid cutting into other traffic lanes.</li
- Drive slowly and use your turn signals to indicate turns.
- Anticipate the other driver’s actions.
- When reversing, watch your surroundings for other vehicles or pedestrians like small children or parents with baby strollers.
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- Do a quick check all around your vehicle for low-lying objects before reversing.
- Don’t rely on reverse cameras. Always physically check your blind spots by looking over your shoulder and checking your mirrors, too.
- Obey traffic signs like Stop, No Parking, and Slow.
Have you or someone you love fallen victim to a car accident in a parking lot? Don’t neglect your pain. The Houston car accident attorneys at Lapeze & Johns are ready to represent you.
Parking lot car accidents can be just as traumatic – and as serious – as car crashes out on the road. If you are ever unfortunate enough to fall victim to one, the Houston car accident attorneys at Lapeze & Johns have over 30 years of combined experience necessary to aid you in your claim and win.
Contact us at (713) 739-1010 to set up your free initial evaluation today.
Information and image pulled from abc13.com.
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