Published on behalf of Shopping malls and plazas are typically built near high traffic roadways, and for good reason. High traffic means more visitors. However, this also means that drivers who enter and exit parking lots often do so at their and other drivers’ peril. Whether it is to turn right or left to enter an intersection, drivers who exit/enter shopping mall parking lots often cause car, truck and motorcycle accidents.
Drivers entering and exiting parking lots are required to use ordinary care and caution when maneuvering a turn. Preventing accidents with pedestrians, cars and motorcycles means coming to a full stop before exiting/entering, as well as, looking both ways before entering the roadway.
Drivers on the road often have difficulty seeing motorcycles. This is due in part to the relative size of a motorcycle compared to a car. Accordingly, car versus motorcycle accidents often occur at shopping mall or shopping plaza exits. Below are two common parking lot exit accident scenarios in which a car-motorcycle accident occurs.
1. Driver exiting parking lot fails to stop completely before entering road.
Under Pennsylvania motor vehicle traffic law, when an exit is controlled by a stop sign, the driver is required to come to a complete stop prior to entering the roadway. See 75 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 3323(b) (Duties at stop signs).
Very often, a driver exiting a parking lot either fails to stop all the way, or pulls out too far prior to turning. A motorcycle rider traveling in the same direction may be forced to maneuver to avoid a collision. For a motorcycle rider, such evasive action can lead to significant injuries.
2. Driver fails to yield the right of way to an oncoming motorcycle.
Under Section 3324, drivers who enter a roadway must yield the right of way to oncoming traffic. Because motorcycles are much smaller than passenger cars, drivers often fail to see motorcycles. Someone exiting a parking lot may take a quick look in both directions, but fails to see a motorcycle. As a result, an accident occurs. There may be an actual collision or the motorcycle rider may be injured trying to make an evasive maneuver.
Section 3324 provides: Vehicle entering or crossing roadway. The driver of a vehicle about to enter or cross a roadway from any place other than another roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the roadway to be entered or crossed.
Also see Section 3322. Vehicle turning left. The driver of a vehicle intending to turn left within an intersection or into an alley, private road or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is so close as to constitute a hazard.
Read more about intersections and motorcycle-car accidents.
Whether it is someone entering or exiting a shopping mall or plaza, drivers who negligently maneuver those turns can be held liable for causing a car, truck or motorcycle accident. The injured party may be entitled to recover financial compensation.
Related:
Pennsylvania Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
The lawyers at Schwartz & Blackman represent those injured in car and motorcycle accidents in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Watch this video review from an owner of a Philadelphia motorcycle shop:
If you’d like a NO-COST review by our Pennsylvania and New Jersey car-motorcycle accident lawyers, call 215.925.4451. Our lawyers are available for a free, no obligation legal consultation.
The lawyers at Schwartz & Blackman handle cases in the Pennsylvania and New Jersey area:
- PA: Berks County, Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, Philadelphia County, Allentown, Lehigh Valley, Norristown, Philadelphia
- NJ: Atlantic County, Burlington County, Camden County, Gloucester County, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Camden, Cherry Hill, New Jersey shore cities
*This website does not provide legal advice. Every case is unique and it is important to get a qualified, expert legal opinion prior to making any decisions about your case. See the full disclaimer at the bottom of this page.