10 Interesting Parking Lot Car Accident Statistics

There’s always that shopping cart – sitting out in the middle of the parking lot. There’s also always that blind spot everyone has when backing out of a parking lot space. However, many people are unaware of the severity of accidents in parking lots statistics.

Keep reading to learn about ten of the most interesting accidents in parking lots statistics.

10 Shocking Parking Lot Accident Statistics

• One in Five Vehicle Accidents Occur in Parking Lots
• Over 500 People Die Every Year in Parking Lots and Garages
• 50,000 Car Accidents Occur in U.S. Parking Lots and Garages Annually
• Over 60,000 People Are Injured in Parking Lots Every Year
• 25% Of Parking Lot Accidents Involve Backing Up
• One-Third of Drivers Admit to Not Paying Attention While Driving in Lots
• At Least 80% Of Bumper Scratches Occur During Parking
• 14% Of All Car Insurance Claims Involve Parking Lot Incidents
• Parking Lot Accidents Peak at 5:00 PM on Saturdays
• Parking Lot Accidents Increase the Holiday Shopping Season

A Look at 10 Interesting Parking Lot Accidents & Statistics

While the accidents in parking lots statistics below are interesting, they can also be tragic. However, knowing these statistics can help you be more aware and cautious when driving in parking lots. Check out ten shocking accidents in parking lots statistics below.

One in Five Vehicle Accidents Occur in Parking Lots

Starting with likely the most jarring statistic, this stat exemplifies how dangerous parking lots and parking garages can be.

Many people feel safe in parking lots and garages because they are not technically on the road, but a whopping 20% of all car accidents occur in parking lots or garages.

While many cautious drivers are vigilant when on the road, even the safest drivers let their guard down in parking lots, which is why parking lot accidents are surprisingly prevalent.

Over 500 People Die Every Year in Parking Lots and Garages

When people think of parking lot accidents, they often think about small fender benders, bumper scratches, or tiny dents. However, a substantial amount of parking lot and garage accidents result in death. In the US, roughly 47,000 people die in car collisions every year.

So, 500 deaths may not sound significant, but this statistic means that more than one person every day dies due to a parking lot or parking garage accident.

Every single day, someone loses their life when they were simply running errands, doing some shopping, or enjoying a night out. It’s a truly tragic statistic that may open your eyes to the hazards of parking lots.

50,000 Car Accidents Occur in U.S. Parking Lots and Garages Annually

So, we know 1 in 5 accidents occur in parking lots, but what exactly does that number look like? Parking lots and parking garages are the sites of approximately 50,000 accidents every year.

Compared to the millions of accidents that occur every year, 50,000 may not sound like a lot, but it breaks down to almost 150 parking lot accidents per day.

It’s easy to think that parking lot accidents are rare or unlikely to happen to you, but the odds are not in your favor. Remember, just because you’re a safe and focused driver, doesn’t mean everyone else in the parking lot is as cautious as you.

Over 60,000 People Are Injured in Parking Lots Every Year

The accidents in parking lots statistics concerning fatalities are staggering and sad, but injuries are also a massive concern. Over 60,000 people involved in parking lot accidents receive injuries. The injuries can range from very minor to severe and permanent.

A parking lot accident-related industry could be a broken finger, a slight road rash, or a mild concussion. On the other hand, these injuries could be spinal cord damage, broken legs, or severe head trauma.

Victims of parking lot accidents may even suffer loss of limb or paralysis if their injuries were serious enough. So nonfatal parking lot and garage accidents can be just as tragic and impactful.

25% Of Parking Lot Accidents Involve Backing Up

Despite the many advances in modern cars designed to help drivers back up safely, backing up is still a common cause of accidents. People do most of their backing up in parking lots, garages, and driveways, so this statistic makes sense.

It’s common for drivers to accidentally strike a pedestrian while backing out of their spot. People also may bump into another vehicle while trying to back in or out of a parking spot. A car driving through the parking lot may hit someone leaving their space.

And one of the tougher incidents to avoid is two cars colliding if they back out of their spots simultaneously and do not see one another.

Backing up is tricky, even with modern backup cameras, beeping, and other functions. The best way to avoid these accidents is to back up slowly and keep your head on a swivel.

One-Third of Drivers Admit to Not Paying Attention While Driving in Lots

You may be hyper-aware when driving in lots and garages, but many drivers are not. Studies show that over 30% of drivers admit to being distracted. Distracted driving is dangerous when on the road, but it’s just as risky in a busy parking lot.

Distractions can include using their phone, talking to passengers, fiddling with their wallet, setting their GPS, or anything else that takes their focus off driving. Drivers under 25 are more likely to be guilty of this, but people of all ages let distractions break their focus while driving in parking lots.

At Least 80% Of Bumper Scratches Occur During Parking

This statistic is unlikely to surprise anyone. Most bumper scratches, along with dings, dents, and scrapes, occur in parking lots.

Accidents on the road are more likely to result in substantial car damage, but tiny damage is common in parking lots. People accidentally scrape or ding your car when pulling out or into a spot beside you. People may also graze or bump into cars when navigating the parking lot to find a spot.

14% Of All Car Insurance Claims Involve Parking Lot Incidents

In the US, over 3.5 million auto insurance claims are filed annually, and 14% of those involve parking lot accidents. However, this number is not necessarily reflective of the actual number of car accidents in parking lots that resulted in damage.

These accidents in parking lots statistics only use reported information, and many people do not report their parking lot accidents. Small things like scratches and dings are often not worth filing an insurance claim.

Parking Lot Accidents Peak at 5:00 PM on Saturdays

The majority of parking lot accidents occur in the evening on Saturdays. More people go out and do things on Saturday evenings, whether it’s dining, bowling, or shopping. So, the odds of getting in an accident on Saturday evenings are much higher.

Unfortunately, driving while intoxicated also contributes to these accidents in parking lots statistics, as people are more likely to be drinking on Saturday nights.

Parking Lot Accidents Increase the Holiday Shopping Season

The holiday shopping season, which runs roughly from mid-November to late December in the US, is when the most parking lot car accidents occur.

This statistic is unsurprising, as during the holiday shopping season more people flock to malls and shopping centers, so the parking lots are fuller than ever.

People have to spend more time driving around the lots and garages looking for an available spot, and the longer they drive around, the higher their chances of getting into an accident.

Holiday shopping can also be stressful, so people may be rushing around and not paying attention or driving as carefully as they should be.

Final Thoughts

Many people think they’re safe in parking lots, but the accidents in parking lots statistics suggest otherwise. Parking lots can be just as hazardous as the road, so always be aware of your surroundings.

Take time pulling out of spots, utilize all your mirrors, don’t look down at your phone when walking in lots and garages, and drive slowly.

And if anything should happen, chat with EZ Auto Spa for how we can get your car back to its original condition.