Car Accidents at the Airport

At times, the hustle and bustle of airport activity is stressful enough in its own right. Whether you’re departing or arriving from a trip, airports can be challenging. This is even more so when it comes to car accidents at the airport.

Suddenly, any plans are stymied because of having to deal with the particulars of the accident situation. Frustration sets in primarily due to the following 5 concerns:

1. Determining the extent of injuries and/or damage
2. Having to unblock traffic and move damaged vehicles to a safe area
3. Getting the insurance particulars of the other party involved in the accident
4. Cancelling post-airport plans because of the stress and time involved in accident reporting
5. Making sure accurate details are presented to the police

Consider the estimate that 5,808,272 car accidents occur annually in the United States. This equals to roughly 15,913 accidents each day. Car accidents at the nation’s airports comprise part of these statistics due to the massive volume of vehicles entering and leaving airports daily.

The main cause of car accidents at the airport is the coming together of people and vehicles, in great numbers, in a defined setting. In the major airports this is at most times of the day.

Consider that people are often in a rush to get to a flight or to pick up an arrival. Add to that people being stressed and perplexed about where they are going at the airport. This is especially true if they are unfamiliar with its ramps and pick-up points.

Other major causes of airport car accidents are:

Drivers tend to pay attention to overhead signs and instructions, and less so to the car ahead of them. This results in the proverbial “fender benders” or worse. Distractions also include taking one’s eyes off the road ahead to watch jets landing and taking off.

Airports are known for busy parking areas where parking spaces close to airport building entrances are at a premium. Often, drivers jockey and hurry to get the best spot - ahead of another approaching vehicle.

The result is an accident no one foresaw in their haste. Inclement weather also contributes to the likelihood of accidents in crowded outdoor parking areas.

Many airport indoor parking garages are tight for space. Additionally, large concrete support pillars add to the confining conditions drivers’ experience. The sheer volume of vehicles in these garages are a factor in vehicle accidents.

Car accidents at airports also occur when people do not adhere to posted driving rules. For example, some lanes have designation as pick-up areas for buses and shuttle services.

Some lanes are designated as “thoroughfare” or “thru” lanes. This means no parking or idling is allowed. Those who break these rules can cause accidents because of the congestion and blocking of lanes that result.

Car accidents at the airport are often avoidable. Allowing plenty of time to get to your desired location at the airport is vital. Take the necessary precautions to ensure you reduce the chances of being involved in this type of accident.