Parking Lot Driving Rules in California

23 Nov Parking Lot Driving Rules in California

Why should you know the parking lot driving rules in California?

Let’s face it, we’ve all been there. You’re in a rush to get to your destination and you see an open spot in a parking lot. You go for it but then realize too late that you were supposed to yield to oncoming traffic. Or maybe you were backing out of space and didn’t see the car behind you.

Car accidents happen, but they can be avoided if we all follow the proper driving rules in parking lots. In this blog post, we’ll go over some of the basic rules of parking lot driving in California so that you can avoid getting into a fender bender (or worse).

But first, let’s look at the top causes of parking lot accidents.

Top reasons for parking lot accidents

Parking lot accidents are all too common. Per an estimate, one out of five vehicle accidents occur in a parking lot and account for 14 per cent of insurance claims.

According to the National Safety Council, 60,000 people get injured in 50,000 crashes that occur in parking lots each year.

Parking lot accidents can involve both vehicle drivers and pedestrians. However, pedestrian accidents are also common with the fatality rate in California being 25 per cent higher compared to the national average.

When it comes to parking lot crashes, there are a few factors that play into why they’re so common. For one, drivers tend to let their guard down when they’re in a parking lot since there aren’t other cars on the road. This can lead to them not paying attention to their surroundings and not being as cautious as they should be.

Another reason parking lot crashes are so common is that there are often a lot of obstacles in parking lots. These include parked cars, shopping carts, and people walking around.  This can make it hard for drivers to navigate through the space and can lead to them hitting something or someone.

Many drivers are in a hurry when they’re in a parking lot. This can cause them to take risks that they wouldn’t normally take when driving on the road. For instance, they may not be looking both ways before backing out of a spot or driving too fast through the parking lot.

So, these are just a few of the reasons why parking lot crashes are so common. It’s important for drivers to be extra cautious when driving in parking lots and to pay attention to their surroundings.

Pedestrians can also be responsible for parking lot accidents when they

• fail to observe vehicles that are pulling out or in the parking lot
• are not wearing bright-colored clothes or carrying a flashlight when walking at night
• are drunk
• are jaywalking or running/darting through the parking lot
• are distracted
• deliberately got hit despite seeing a driver backing out of the parking lot
• drivers speeding through the parking lot, giving the drivers of parked vehicles little time to see them coming,
• people running through the lot, weaving in between the cars in the parking spots and darting behind them, and

An effective way to avoid accidents at parking lots is to be aware of parking lot driving rules in California.

The next section highlights the key parking lot driving rules to follow.

Parking lot driving rules in California

All drivers must adhere to the basic rules and regulations of parking lot driving.

Where you can park in California

Colored curbs indicate whether the area is meant for parking or not.

• Red curbs are always off-limits for parking, standing, or stopping.
• Green curbs signal that parking is allowed for a limited time. The posted sign or a painted sign on the curb shows the time limits.
• White curbs indicate limited-time parking for picking up passengers or dropping them off. Drivers should not get out of their vehicles at white curbs
• Yellow curbs indicate limited-time parking for the loading and unloading of freight or passengers. Drivers cannot exceed the posted time limit.
• Blue curbs are reserved for disabled drivers with valid handicap placards or license plates.

What to do if there is no colored curb in the spot where you want to park?

In this case, it is important for you to know what qualifies as illegal parking in California.

Illegal parking is a serious offense that can result in expensive fines and even the loss of your driver’s license. There are several types of illegal parking, including parking in a handicapped space without a permit, a fire lane, and in front of a hydrant.

Here are the areas where parking is illegal:

• In front of a “No Parking” sign
• On an unmarked or marked crosswalk
• On a driveway
• On a sidewalk
• Within fifteen feet of the station driveway or fire hydrant
• In front or near a curb or sidewalk with wheelchair access for disabled persons
• In a parking space meant for disabled persons
• In a parking area meant for zero-emission vehicles
• On a freeway

If you are caught illegally parked, you will likely be issued a ticket. The amount of the fine will vary depending on the type of violation, but it is typically around $250. If you do not pay the fine, your driver’s license may be suspended. In some cases, you may also be required to appear in court.

If you are found guilty of illegal parking, you may also have points added to your driving record. These points can lead to an increase in your insurance rates and may eventually cause your license to be suspended.  Illegal parking can also hamper your case if you are involved in a parking lot accident.

To avoid being ticketed or having your license suspended, make sure to park only in designated areas and obey all posted signs.

If you’re driving in California, you’ll need to know the rules for parking on a hill. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. If you’re parked on a hill and your car is facing downhill, make sure to turn your wheels away from the curb. This will prevent your car from rolling down the hill if it gets hit by another car.
2. If you’re parked on a hill and your car is facing uphill, you can turn your wheels towards the curb. This will help keep your car from rolling backwards if it gets hit.
3. If you’re parked on a hill and there’s no curb, turn your wheels so that they’re parallel to the road. This will keep your car from rolling off the road if it gets hit.
4. Always set your parking brake when parking on a hill, regardless of which way your wheels are turned. This will help prevent your car from rolling down the hill if it gets hit or if the brakes fail.

When it comes to parking lot driving rules you also need to know about parallel parking.

This is legal in California and is governed by the California Vehicle Code. The code states that a vehicle must be parked 6 inches from the curb, with the wheels parallel to the curb. You should also park at least 2 feet away from the vehicle in front of you.

A vehicle may not be parked over a crosswalk, sidewalk, or another parking space.

There are a few other things to keep in mind when parallel parking in California. First, you must yield to oncoming traffic before pulling into a spot. Secondly, you must turn off your engine and set the parking brake before leaving your car. Finally, you must make sure that your tires are not touching the lines painted on the ground next to the spot.

Knowing who has the right of way

Generally, vehicles that are pulling out of a parking lot have to yield to both pedestrians and other vehicles coming into the parking lot.

Per California’s parking lot driving rules, the driver who is backing out has to ensure it is safe to do so. The right of way is with the driver/vehicle in the “flow of traffic.”

It is also important to know who gets the right of way in feeder lanes and thoroughfare lanes.

Feeder lanes are the lanes between the parking space aisles. They run the length of the lot and connect to the through lane.

The thoroughfare lane is the one that connects the parking lot to the street, often running around the parking area’s perimeter.

• Car drivers in parking spaces have to yield to vehicles both in through lanes and feeder lanes.
• Cars in feeder lanes get right of way over cars in parking spaces, but they must give way to vehicles in thoroughfare lanes.
• Cars in thoroughfare lanes get right of way over all vehicles in the parking area.

Being aware of the speed limits in parking lots

The speed limit in a parking lot is generally 15 mph. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.

When driving in a parking lot, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and drive at a safe speed. Be sure to yield to pedestrians and watch for vehicles backing out of spaces. Even if there is no speed limit posted in the parking lot, sticking to the 15 mph limit is important to maximize safety.

Here is a summary of parking lot driving rules:

1. All drivers must yield to pedestrians (and vehicles in the thoroughfare and feeder lanes) who are crossing the parking lot.
2. Use the designated entrances and exits when entering or leaving the parking lot.
3. Obey all posted speed limits and traffic signs within the parking lot.
4. When backing out of a parking space, always check for coming traffic before proceeding.
5. Drivers must not block other vehicles in or out of a parking space. If you need to block a vehicle, you must first obtain permission from the owner or driver of that vehicle.
6. Drivers must not park in handicapped spaces unless they have a valid handicap placard or license plate displayed on their vehicle.

What to do if you are involved in a parking lot accident

If you’re involved in a parking lot accident, there are a few things you should do:

1. Check for injuries. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately.
2. Move your vehicle out of the way, if possible. This will help prevent further accidents and make it easier for emergency vehicles to get through.
3. Exchange information with the other driver(s). Get their name, contact information, insurance company and policy number.
4. Take photos of the scene, if possible. This can be helpful in documenting what happened for your insurance company or the police.
5. Call your insurance company to report the accident. They will need all of the information you gathered in steps 3 and 4, so have it ready when you call.

Who is at fault?

In a parking lot accident, determining who is at fault can be tricky. However, there are some general guidelines that can help you figure out who is responsible.

In the event of an accident where two drivers are backing out of parking spaces, both drivers will be at fault. This is because both drivers should be paying attention to their surroundings and not backing out until it is safe to do so.

If one driver hits another from behind, the first driver is almost always at fault. This is because drivers are expected to maintain a safe following distance and be aware of what is happening in front of them.

If a driver hits a pedestrian in a crosswalk, the driver will almost always be held responsible. This is because pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks and drivers are expected to yield to them. However, if the pedestrian was drunk, distracted, or was being reckless in the parking lot, they may be held responsible partially for the accident.

In California, parking lot car accidents can be considered premises liability cases. This means that the property owner can be held liable for any injuries or damages that occur on their property.

For instance, the premise owner may not have marked directions of flow or installed adequate lighting, which could have led to the accident. Lack of a stop sign at a blind intersection and failure to mark crossroads are other instances where the property owner can be held liable.

If you were involved in a parking lot accident, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the property owner.

 Why consult a personal injury attorney in California

There are many reasons to consult a personal injury attorney in California if you have been injured in a parking lot.

The personal injury attorney will investigate the reasons behind the parking lot accident. If the injury was caused by the negligence of another driver, your lawyer can help you recover damages from that driver.

Even if the other driver was not negligent, you may still be able to recover damages from the owner of the parking lot if there was a dangerous condition on the property.

If you have been involved in a parking lot accident, it’s important to speak with a skilled Yuba City accident attorney such as The Law Offices of Steve Gimblin. We can review the facts of your case and help you determine if you have a valid claim against the other driver.

With extensive experience handling parking lot accidents, we know the ins and outs of insurance claims. We will work closely with you to help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Don’t go it alone after a parking lot accident – call us today for a free consultation.