It seems as though some motorists become careless the minute they enter a parking lot, assuming they can let their guard down a bit just because other cars will be traveling at low speed. However, tens of thousands of crashes occur in parking lots and garage structures annually, according to the National Safety Council, with many of those resulting in injuries and sometimes even death. This short video clip showing a GMC Sierra backing into a Chrysler 300 serves as a great example of why it’s important to remain alert while in a parking lot – no matter how slow the other cars are traveling.
This 44-second lesson in safe driving was captured on the dashcam of a motorist who was waiting in a parking lot while a family member did some shopping. In the video, a silver K2XX GMC Sierra 1500 is seen slowly backing out of a parking spot as a white Chrysler 300 slowly approaches from the left. The Sierra driver, thinking there’s no one behind him, backs directly into the Chrysler’s path before the truck’s rear bumper makes contact with the sedan, causing significant damage to both of the driver-side doors.
According to the owner of the dash cam, the GMC Sierra driver “started immediately blaming the older woman” that was behind the wheel of the Chrysler 300 and said it was entirely her fault. The cammer then interjected and said he captured the entire ordeal on video, promising to send the clip to their respective emails so they could determine who was really at fault. The insurance company eventually sided with the older woman, saying the truck driver was entirely at fault, and paid for the (likely quite pricy) repairs for her vehicle.
Do you agree with the insurance company in this instance? Check out the clip embedded below and let us know what you think in the comments, readers.
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Comments
Careless. Never back up in parking lot if you can avoid it. Park where you can pull out forward. Even if you have to walk a bit.
A true lesson learn when using a “smaller space” parking lot and especially when driving a bigger than average vehicle..
The size of the space had nothing to do with it. The old fart in the car should have stopped because he was making a parking maneuver. His reverse lights were on and he was moving before the car started going over the speed bump.
I agree. WTF is wrong with people in parking lots. The truck is in motion backwards and the driver of the car continues to drive forward after going over a speed bump. Don’t know what the brake pedal is for? Shouldn’t be driving.
Unfortunately you are incorrect. The truck is supposed to Yield to vehicles in the travel lane.
The truck has to Yield to other drivers in the travel lane.
Try again. The truck is executing a parking maneuver and had the right of way. He checked for traffic, found the way clear, then began backing out. The car failed to give the right of way, not to mention it’s common fricken courtesy to allow someone to enter/exit a parking spot unimpeded. Are you going to tell me that if you were in the car, you wouldn’t have stopped? You would have just kept driving, expecting that you’re in the right of way and everyone must yield to you?
BTW, that’s not my opinion about the right of way. I was hit by a careless driver who wasn’t watching where they were going while I was exiting a parking spot. That driver was ticketed for inattentive driving AND failure to yield the right of way, and their insurance had to pay for the repair of my vehicle. The other driver tried to lie about how it happened, but my dash cam video showed the responding officer what really happened.
Had this same thing happen to me with a Ford truck backing into me in a parking lot.
The guys insurance tried to Weasel out till I told them I had a police report, video and the admission the other driver was on a cell phone and it was his fault.
After I hit them with that they said out of the goodness of their heart they would take care of my damage. Real sweethearts.
Nothing wrong backing up but get your head out of your a$$ and look where you are going.
There would be no need for back up sensors if people just were responsible and sober.
Zero excuses for the Sierra owner, especially if that truck is equipped with a Backup Camera.
It is equipped with a head, filled with 2 eyes, maybe 1, positioned on a neck that is able to turn and look in either direction to make sure the travel lane is clear before backing up. Cameras are nice, but are made to see what is directly behind you, not necessarily from the sides. Yes, some have a wide angle lense, but don’t rely on crutches to get you by.
Nice snarky comment. Try watching the video again. The truck’s reverse lights were on before the car turned onto the lane of travel in the parking lot. The truck was backing out of the parking space before the car was a car length from the speed bump, yet the car kept coming. The accident could/should have been avoided.
What would the backup camera do when the car keeps rolling into the path of the truck?? The backup cameras are to see the area behind you is clear, but it does no good when inattentive drivers blatantly drive into you.
All-State? Or, State Farm?
You said it yourself! After you hit them! Yer a douche, give people the space to back up!
You are supposed to yield to vehicles in the travel lane.
The travel lane WAS clear when the truck began backing up.
I guess the truck driver figured ‘Mopar? That’s nocar.’
Mopar is Chrysler, this is a GMC. Bad joke.
Sorry, got what you’re saying now but can’t take down comment…. Ugh. On trucks side though, don’t rear end someone backing up long before you got there. It’s not like he backed into her, she drove into him!
Actually the truck DID back into the car. If you are backing out of ANYWHERE, the other person has the right of way. That’s like backing out of your driveway and blaming the other driver because you hit them or they hit you. Did any of you people actually ever take Driver’s ED? Why do you think the truck driver’s insurance company paid? The car had the RIGHT OF WAY and the truck driver was at fault. SMH
No. The car drove into the truck as it was backing up. It’s common sense of which you have none. Give me a break, you’re going to drive into a truck instead of allowing them to leave their parking spot? Your philosophy makes you a bad driver.
If the car had driven into the truck, then the Front of the Car would have hit the back of the truck. But we clearly see that the car was hit well behind the A Pillar, meaning the truck was at fault.
This is what’s wrong with the world today – lack of honesty. Would like to know name of insurance company that tried to “weasel” out of liability. Sad state of affairs. And that driver backing out – should be shamed – video sent to his employer saying so this is the kind of employee you hire.
It was not a top line company. I can’t recall the name. They tried to pawn it off as private property and that my company was responsible. I was lucky to have the police report.
In 99% of parking lot crashes it is the fault of the person in the vehicle backing up! Simple explanation. They are backing up into a “roadway” without making sure there is no oncoming traffic.
Ben,
Just about sums it up right. Hoping those that disagree with your explanation look up the rules of backing up, no matter in a parking lot, driveway or onto a roadway. If you back into another vehicle while in reverse, you’re pretty much at fault.
When did everyone’s head stopped swiveling on top of their necks??? Worked for many years before people stopped learning how to drive and rely too much on back up cameras. Or people just need to stop buying trucks who don’t know how to drive them.
Obvious the truck is at fault but the driver of the 300 was just as oblivious to not notice a massive truck coming at them?
Not defending the Sierra driver but 12 seconds into the video where he is clearly back out, the 300 just keeps coming forward 🤨
No one was paying attention
I’m, the truck is at fault, but matter what. But we don’t have audio, so we don’t know of they hit their horn to tell the truck to stop. But I doubt it.
Obviusly the truck driver’s fault. Called “care & control”.
When I see someone backing out of a parking spot I try my best to give them the right of way. I know they’re backing up blind and need a little extra space. I don’t know why when drivers see you backing up they just keep coming till you stop or run into them. A little courtesy goes a long way.
To am extent, but the car was well behind, almost past the truck before it was hit behind the A pillar. The truck was at fault.
Hope the GMC driver was handicapped, they were parked in a handicapped spot . Another ticket???
Wrong, Larry! You were so quick to accuse him of parking in a disabled parking spot that you didn’t bother using your EYES!! Watch it again, look at the parking lot directly in front of the car the dashcam is mounted in. The truck clearly is backing out of a regular parking space. The disabled parking spot is the one next to where the truck was parked.
It is hard to give a handicapped ticket on private property unless the owner ofnthe property calls and complains. Cops can harrass you about it and may even give one, but it can easily be thrown out of court.
Its not an issue because the truck was not in the disabled parking spot.
Insurance companies suck, up here one company ICBC gong show to the extreme.
On average, there are 16,438 car crashes per day in the US.
Feb 24, 2021
thewanderingrv.com
Some how, Sam can only find those of GM vehicles. Unlike his, Every new car is squarely targeting a GM car as it’s competition or GM has no answer for.
Nothing to see here, move along folks.
I work in the multi billion dollar crash parts industry. Keep it up people.
Door skins aren’t cheap to buy or replace. Chinese and Korean junk excluded. Only buy OEM.
Nothing new here, 300 driver could of stopped but seen a quick payday. Even a casual horn honk from the 300 driver could have avoided this. I had a obs Tahoe on 26s and when backing couldn’t see anything but always waited for the casual horn honk so I can slam my brakes and stop to avoid a collision. Both drivers seem stupid.
Car in travel lane has right of way. Especially in this scenario, th collision was well behind the A pillar. But yes, a honk would be nice.
These are the idiots that should not be driving
In GA if it’s on private property, they both will be at fault and responsible for their own repairs! I had this happened to me when someone backed out into me in an Academy Sports parking lot!
Thanks for the guy filming NOT tooting his horn. I bet any other times he likes to toot his horn at your driving.
Terry is the only one here with common sense. Sorry but backup cam doesn’t show cars continuing to drive from broadside. The guy is backing up long before she was in the picture and she continued to drive as if she couldn’t even see him! Every commenter on here is a lousy ignorant truck hater sans for Terry. Pay attention and be proactive, you see someone backing up stop and give room…. Sheesh.
I agree with you 100% Mike. The GMC had its reverse lights on before the car finished turning into the parking lot lane, and started backing out before the car was a car length from the speed bump. I bet they were looking for a place to park in the lot or were distracted and not looking where they were going. The only other reason would be because the “older woman” is slow and feeble, and has no business driving a car. Thank God there wasn’t a little kid there running out into the parking lot for her to run over!
I wonder if there wouldn’t be near as many negative comments against the truck if the writer didn’t include his negative bias in the article.
Unfortunately, the Chrysler 300 had the right of way and that’s just the way it’s always been. However, I disagree with it. Anybody who has backed out of a parking space knows that there is always limited visibility especially if it’s been raining and the windows are wet making it harder to see through or if there is a van parked alongside you making it impossible to see on one side. Even though that was not the case here it is still a little difficult to see all around to make sure nothing is in your way so people should just use common sense and stop and let the vehicle back out when they see one trying to do so and that would prevent an accident. I always let people out when I see them making that attempt. Always pisses me off when no one will stop for a moment to let me out but just floors it instead and tries to get past. The Chrysler 300 in this case had to have seen that truck backing out but just kept on moving forward. Maybe she was looking off to the right somewhere at something and did not see the truck but that is no excuse, you should always expect a car to be backing out of a parking space and should be constantly looking around in all directions as you are proceeding along.
To an extent. But the collisions was well behind the A Pillar, and since the lane of travel has the right of way and parked cars need to Yield, the truck was clearly at fault. Had the car hit the truck, then that would be a different story.
Jeremiah, you’re so stuck in your point about being struck behind the A-pillar. Just because the driver isn’t watching what’s in front of them, or is stubbornly thinking (like you) that they have the right of way so they just keep driving, doesn’t mean the driver of the truck is at fault.
Not to mention simple common f$@%ing courtesy!
I found this on a website that details do’s and don’ts of parking lot etiquette:
“Be courteous when seeing a car backing out of a parking space. Allow enough room for the car to fully pull out of the space and don’t zip by the car as it’s backing out.”
**https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wikihow.com/Use-Parking-Lot-Etiquette%3famp=1
The top of his pick up bed is as high as the 300’s roof. That factor alone made it hard to see the oncoming car. Also, his window glass is too shaded and illegal. Clearly, neither driver was paying attention to what was going to happen. But the bottom line here is that the driver of the truck was absolutely at fault not stopping for oncoming traffic.
How about just pay attention. Very hard to do especially with the alarms and back up cameras on these trucks.
I have a 2021 Silverado and I don’ know what you’re talking about. It has a back up cam, that’s it. No sensors. The driver of the 300 should have stopped and waited. Even if I were staring right at her while backing up I would wonder “what the hell is she doing”
Wait what, people are actually blaming the car??? What a bunch of dumbo’s. The sierra in the video has backup sensors and a backup camera plus 3 old school mirrors. It appears they should lose their license for such a careless act. This in no way is the cars fault
That nice of a truck must have had a backup camera. My 2013 ford f150 backup camera shows what is coming down the lane before I back out, also gives alarm before getting near anything. Looks more like two people not paying attention at the same time, everyone in a hurry these days.
This would have been ever better if they had backed into the Ford truck at the beginning. 2 brodozers going at each other are what dream are made of
Leagally the truck is at fault and should pay the damages. Morally they were equally at fault. The car failed miserably at avoiding the accident. Looked like they enjoyed the close contact or were out to lunch about what was in front of them. Just frustrated with both sides
Most states traffic laws require a driver to use due care when backing a vehicle. The charge is worded unsafe backing.
The traffic code mandates that a driver who is backing a vehicle must yield to all other traffic motor vehicle or pedestrian.
A lot of drivers today go with the attitude that everyone will watch out for me. When you have two drivers with that same assumption that’s when this happens.
As A GMC sierra owner I can tell you they suck at getting out of tight places. It is trucks fault. I always. Put window down when backing up even in winter to listen for traffic I can’t see. I also blow horn while backing out of tight places. Your neck needs to be on a swivel. I believe the dodge was not very observant and should of blown horn. But either way the guy backing up has the responsibility to make sure it’s safe to do so. When I am driving through a parking lot I am looking for backup lights to avoid this. I also flash lights and blow horn if I think some one is coming out and doesn’t see me.
No the woman was at fault . Parking lots are not roadways and caution should be used when driving through them . And if you think differently you should not have a driver’s license. I would have gave the woman a ticket for failure to yield resulting in an accident
I feel the truck is at fault. The car driver could have honked, but the truck driver was obviously not looking where they were backing because the truck ended exactly where the car was prior to the truck moving. Truck driver shouldn’t assume someone will let them out of the parking stall, and car driver has right of way to pass by. A driver’s license comes with responsibility and common sense. The truck driver was assuming and careless.
And this is why this happens… the truck started backing out when it was clear. The car just keep coming… it was obvious the truck was backing out before the car got to him. If the car would have used a little courtesy and stopped, it would not have happened. She was either not paying attention, or was trying to beat him through the parking area where he was backing. This happens all the time with people in a hurry! I always stop, and let the vehicle finish backing up first, instead of making them stop half way out of there spot. I think the car is to blame, for not trying to avoid an accident.
I don’t know what to think about this. My son just failed his driver’s test because he didn’t yield to a person backing out of their driveway. So if that’s the case the 300 should be at fault because they can see.
Why blame the driver of the truck. When backing out of a parking spot, it is difficult to see all angles behind. The driver of the car was moving forward and had a clear view.
Drivers are supposed to try and avoid accidents, not cause them.
The driver in the pickup should not be at fault.
Car is at fault as well! What happened to defensive driving ,isn’t why we have horns on our vehicles. I am sure you experienced it many times when someone backing out and a vehicle coming at the same time, you heard the horn.
Honestly it’s plain and simple, when you see someone backing out of a parking space give them some space. It sometimes isn’t so easy to get out of a cramped area like that. The woman clearly had plenty of time to stop and allow him time to back out SAFELY and she disregarded that. I think if u are over a certain age it should be required every 6 months that u take a new drivers exam and if u can’t pass it perfectly then ur lisences should be revoked. Period!
Doesn’t the truck have a backup camera?
Didn’t the 300 see the truck coming?
Both at fault I think.
The 65 and older comment was a little harsh. I’m 67 and still race auto cross. I whoop up on the “kids” all the time. But time waits for no one. My driver exam every 6 months wil catch up with me. Lol
If you’re the one backing up it’s automatically your fault.but a little courtesy waiting a few seconds for the man to back up could have saved a lot of time and trouble.
The Chrysler driver gets a Merit Badge for the “I Own The Road”.
The PU driver gets a surcharge on his insurance premiums for assuming a big truck has the right-of-way when backing up.
The rest of us get a laugh.
Most people might look at this in one of two ways; first, the car has the right of way driving through the area on the driveway or straight away who has the right away. Second, the pickup has the vehicle in reverse and must allow any vehicle traveling in the driveway or straight away to pass through before backing up. Blind spots and sometimes technology does not always give the person a clear view. We must always verify the way is clear before backing up.
As much as I hate to say it , the truck was at fault.
Both drivers are technically at fault. But Of course, the Chrysler had the right of way being the vehicle in the through lane. The pickup was backing out after being parked making him legally responsible for the accident. This could have and should have been prevented by both drivers. Lesson learned is Just watch what’s going on around you. It could save a life.
First , If i was Truck driver I would have pulled right back in my spot & talked to car driver. Why did dash cam driver rush to take his spot? Agree Truck is responsible, but sometimes cars come too fast to respond. People don’t honk to warn other drivers. I always give courtesy to driver backing up, I know it’s hard to see. Always try and back in spot.
The truck is at fault. Parked vehicles have to yield to incoming traffic (vehicular and pedestrian). The oncoming vehicle was clearly in his mirrors, but he wasn’t using them. What if that was a person. Shame on th truck driver.
“A driver backs or pulls out of a parking space and hits another moving vehicle. Typically, the driver who exited the parking space is the at-fault party.” Says “https://www.justice4you.com/blog/right-of-way-when-backing-out” site.
So THERE, bucko!
Did you watch the video? He backed up with nobody around. She charged at him like an insane freak. Looking for insurance claim I imagine because she knows she will win. You’re as dumb and as insane as she is there buckaroo. You relay a code but where is the common desency and respect of others? By your logic you can drive into my rear number a 200 mph and call it my fault.
Yehaww Buckaroo LMFAO 😂
Mike Doodle, Absolutely Einstein. It’s not what you think it is what the law establishes. Let’s take your brainiac example for example. If you were driving 200 miles per hour and I ran the stop sign and hit you or you me, I would still be charged for running the stop sign and causing the accident. You would be charged for speeding. You are not exempt from breaking the law because I ran the stop sign and I am not exempt from having caused the accident because you were speeding. It’s common sense and appropriate application of the law. Common sense which is something you lack as you are quick to insult anyone who disagrees with you. Grow up.
Bucko….LMFAO 😂
I have a similar truck Silverado and shop at a strip mall close to home. I would never park in a stall like that unless I backed in. Seen way to many accidents like this as recently as today, SUV versus sedan. I would say 50/50 on this video
Yup, car driver should have yielded especially with a behemoth already in front of her.
LMFAO 😂
Two cars, two drivers. Even though the truck backing up is at fault per the insurance co, accident avoidance is what should always be done, I would blame the car 25%, truck 75%. Also it’s illegal to drive with an unused tow hitch in NY, truck could get a ticket for that.
Reading these comments are hilarious. It’s the truck drivers fault. If he backed up into a pedestrian, then he would have been charged criminally. He backed up and is responsible if he hits someone, car, pedestrian, bicyclist. Look all ways and proceed with caution. It’s simple pay attention, utilize your tech but use the head God gave you. There is no debate here, regardless if the other driver did not stop, the truck driver is at fault. He simply was not paying proper attention.
How does one unsubscribe from GMAuthority? I’ve tried everything and I still get updates!
The car is at fault, and here’s why:
1. The truck is executing a parking maneuver, not driving. Everyone knows that when another vehicle is entering or exiting a parking space, you give them the time and room to safely execute their parking maneuver.
2. The truck started backing before the car was in the vicinity when the way is clear. A parking lot isn’t a city street, we were all trained to go slow, watch for vehicles entering/exiting parking spaces, wait until it’s safe to travel, and most of all – watch for pedestrians!
3. The car didn’t slow, didn’t honk, didn’t give the right of way. Those reverse lights indicate the truck is moving backward and obviously, would end in a collision… which it did.
There were plenty of comments about the truck not using its sensors or back up camera. NOT all vehicles come with those features, and they sometimes malfunction. The best tools we have are our eyes and ears, let’s use them.
There are expectations of courtesy between all drivers while in a parking lot. If we all go slow, watch for others, and handle our vehicles in a safe manner, we’ll all make it out alive.