How car park accidents typically happen in Finland – shopping trolleys often involved
Car parks are the most common places for car accidents. Friday afternoon is the most common time when accidents happen at car parks. Experts are clear on when and when not to reverse in a car park.
According to Pohjola Insurance's statistics, car parks are by far the most common places where car accidents happen, in particular the car parks of supermarkets, shopping centres and housing companies. More than half of all accidents happen when reversing a vehicle.
"Car parks are indeed the most common places for accidents, and most accidents happen when backing out of a parking space. Whenever possible, it's recommended that you drive through an empty space or back into the space to ensure better visibility when leaving the parking space. It is significantly safer to reverse into an empty space than to reverse out back into traffic," says Kristian Hiljander, Director, Motor Vehicle Insurance at Pohjola Insurance.
He also points out a common misconception and cause of car park accidents:
"Many people are unaware of the fact that unless otherwise indicated, intersections at a car park are equal and that cars approaching from the right have a right of way even when joining a larger lane from a smaller one.
Friday afternoons the most common time for car park crashes – shopping trolleys often involved in accidents
Pohjola Insurance's statistics reveal that the most common day for car park accidents is Friday, with Sunday the least common. Afternoons between noon and four o'clock are especially common times for accidents.
The average cost of repairs in low-speed crashes typical in car parks is around 1,700 euros. In a typical accident, a car collides with another vehicle, barrier or other obstacle.
"Accidents also surprisingly often involve a shopping trolley, whether by scratching the car with a trolley or by hitting a trolley or the shelter with a car," says Hiljander.
Many cars today are equipped with assistance technology, such as parking sensors and cameras. Despite this, Hiljander does not recommend relying fully on driving aids.
"Snow or dirt obstructing the camera can cause dangerous situations, for example. When reversing, it's advisable to always check the surroundings from the mirrors and windows in addition to the parking sensor or camera."
Hiljander points out that the party backing out of a parking space has the duty to give way and is generally seen as liable for damages if an accident occurs. In an accident involving two cars backing out of a parking space, the key question is whether both cars were still reversing at the time of the collision.
"If the vehicles were reversed at least partly simultaneously, prevailing compensation practice deems both drivers to have contributed to the accident through their negligence. This means that in these cases, the vehicle's motor liability insurance usually covers half of the damage to the other party and vice versa.
Media enquiries:
OP Financial Group Communications, tel. 010 252 8719, viestinta@op.fi
Pohjola Insurance is Finland’s leading non-life insurer with a total of 2.5 million private and corporate customers. It provides an extensive range of non-life insurance services to private, corporate and institutional clients. Pohjola Insurance is part of OP Financial Group which is Finland's largest financial services group.