Pedestrians vulnerable to personal injury during winter weather

Pedestrians are always vulnerable in parking lots of shopping centres in Vancouver and other British Columbia cities. The chances of being struck by vehicles in darker winter weather are significantly higher if it rains simultaneously. However, these dangers are not limited to Vancouver, and people who travel to Seattle for shopping trips face similar risks in parking lots. 

Pedestrian accidents prevalence

The need for drivers and pedestrians to share the responsibility for parking lot safety was underscored by two pedestrian accidents that happened only days apart. Pedestrians were hospitalized in both incidents. Authorities shared concern about the prevalence of such incidents. Reportedly, three motor vehicle vs. pedestrian accidents earlier this year caused severe injuries to pedestrians, two of whom succumbed to their injuries. 

Parking lot risks

The increased density of pedestrians and vehicles in open-air parking lots exacerbates the risk factors, especially during rainy weather conditions when visibility is restricted. Typically, pedestrians, holding their heads down, rush to get to the shopping mall’s covered areas without making eye contact with drivers to ensure they are aware of each other. The risks they face are doubled when they return to their vehicles with loaded shopping trolleys. 

Drivers, on the other hand, have limited visibility. Also, they have the same desire to get the shopping process over as quickly as possible. Many drivers do not comply with safe driving rules in parking lots, and impatience might cause accidents. 

The same risks exist for those who choose to do their shopping south of the border. Vancouver residents struck by vehicles while shopping in Seattle might face mountains of medical bills and lost wages. If there is proof that a driver’s negligence caused the pedestrian’s cross-border personal injury, damages might be recoverable. However, the process would be challenging because it will involve British Columbia and U.S. laws.