During December, crowded holiday shopping leads to a significant increase in parking lot collisions and pedestrian injuries across Dallas–Fort Worth.
Backing accidents, low-speed impacts, and pedestrian strikes happen quickly, and victims often don’t know whether the driver, store, or property owner is responsible. These cases involve unique liability rules that differ from street collisions.
This guide explains why these accidents spike, how Texas assigns fault, and what evidence you should collect during the holiday rush.
Why Parking Lot Accidents Increase During the Holiday Season
December brings heavier traffic to major DFW retail hubs such as NorthPark Center, Galleria Dallas, Stonebriar Centre, the Parks Mall, and various outlet centers, as holiday shoppers converge in search of the perfect gift. Because of the increased congestion, drivers compete for limited spaces, visibility is often reduced by long rows of vehicles, and pedestrians commonly cross between lanes carrying bags and carts.
Furthermore, evening shopping hours increase glare and shadows, and rushed drivers often ignore marked lanes or fail to yield. These conditions create an environment where minor mistakes turn into preventable accidents.
Common Types of Parking Lot Accidents in December
- Backing-up collisions – Perhaps the most common December parking lot accident involves two cars colliding while simultaneously backing up. Another frequent mishap occurs when a motorist backs out of a parking spot into a moving vehicle. Blind spots and crowded aisles make these impacts hard to avoid.
- Pedestrians hit in crosswalks or between vehicles – Pedestrians move unpredictably in holiday crowds. Children dart between cars, and shoppers carrying bags become difficult to see until it’s too late.
- Failure to yield at stop signs or marked lanes – With long lines of cars, drivers often roll through stop signs or cut across lanes, increasing collision risks.
- Shopping cart and loading zone injuries – Runaway carts, congested loading areas, and poor spacing around pick-up zones create hazards for both drivers and walkers.
Who Is Liable for Parking Lot Accidents Under Texas Law?
In parking lot accidents, as with most personal injury claims, liability is commonly based on negligence. A party may be liable if it can be established that they failed to use reasonable care and thereby caused an accident that resulted in injuries.
Examples of When a Driver May Be Responsible
Drivers can be liable when they fail to yield, reverse without checking blind spots, ignore posted signs, or drive while distracted. Even at low speeds, these actions can cause injuries and property damage.
Situations Where a Property Owner May Be Liable
Retailers and property owners may share responsibility when unsafe conditions contribute to an accident. Examples include inadequate lighting, missing signs, faded markings, potholes, or poor traffic flow design. These fall under Texas premises liability rules, which require property owners to take reasonable steps to keep their lots safe.
Shared Fault Under the Texas 51% Bar Rule
Texas follows the legal principle of modified comparative negligence. An injured person can still recover damages, provided they are not more than 50% at fault. Their recovery will, however, be reduced by their percentage of responsibility, as determined by the court.
Consulting an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you establish liability and pursue the compensation you deserve.
- Report the accident and seek medical care – Even low-speed-impact accidents can cause injuries. Reporting the incident creates a record for insurance purposes and any legal claims.
- Document the scene – Take photographs of vehicle positions, lighting, signage, cart return areas, and any other hazards. These conditions can change within minutes during holiday rushes.
- Get contact information for any witnesses and request store surveillance – Parking lots at large retailers often have cameras near entrances and crosswalks. Surveillance footage can be critical evidence, but it may be overwritten quickly.
- Preserve evidence – Holiday staff can move carts, clear traffic lanes, and direct traffic, potentially compromising evidence. Acting quickly by taking pictures can protect your claim.
Read Also: The impact of Changing Seasons on Motor Vehicle Accident Rates
How Bailey & Galyen Helps After a Parking Lot Accident
Our team investigates the accident, secures available footage, interviews witnesses, and analyzes whether a driver, property owner, or both contributed to the incident. We will build a strong claim and handle insurers who routinely dispute liability in low-speed collisions.
Injured in a holiday parking lot accident? Visit Bailey & Galyen or call at 844-402-2992 or contact us online within 48 hours—evidence disappears quickly. Hablamos español en nuestra oficina.
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