Worst Suburbs for Car Park Accidents in Australia

Car parks can be chaotic places, especially when everyone’s rushing to the shops to get supplies before a public holiday. Even if you’re an experienced and careful driver, it’s still possible to have a car park crash. All the more reason to consider getting your car insured!

Although car park accidents happen all over Australia throughout the year, some suburbs are worse than others. Keep reading to find out which Australian suburbs have the highest car park accident rates, according to data collected by Youi between 22 September 2008 and 20 March 2023.

What is a car park crash?

The data we’ve collected refers to car insurance claims for incidents that occurred at car parks located in suburbs where we’ve received claims for more than 100 reported vehicle accidents. These range from minor incidents where there are no injuries, to major crashes resulting in substantial damage to the car, and in some cases, serious injuries. While looking at the below stats, please keep in mind that some of the suburbs listed below might have other reasons, such as safer roads, that make the comparative percentage of car park accidents look more significant.

If a person is injured in a car park accident, the associated compensation costs may be covered by some form of Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance, depending on the Australian state or territory in which the accident occurred. In NSW, CTP is also known as Green Slip insurance. This mandatory form of insurance covers the costs of third party compensation claims for injuries, but not for damage to vehicles or property. For more information about CTP insurance, refer to the details provided by your relevant state or territory government.

What are the most common causes of car park accidents?

Car parks can present a number of hazards including other cars, pedestrians, stray shopping trolleys, confusing signage and car spots that are small or awkward to get into. Here are some examples of incidents which commonly occur in car parks:

• scrapes or dents caused by hitting a pole while entering or leaving a parking spot;
• dings caused by car doors opening and hitting another car;
• driving or reversing into another car (or a pedestrian); or
• driving into a shopping trolley, wall, sign or bollard.

Even a small accident in a car park can be stressful and, potentially, expensive. If you want to make sure you’re covered for accidental damage – such as a prang in a car park – take a look at our Comprehensive car insurance option or start a quote.

How do you help prevent a car park crash?

To stay safe when you’re driving, it’s best to always stick to the speed limit. As with all types of traffic incidents, driving too fast can increase the chance of injury or death if an accident occurs.¹ 

Other ways you can stay safe in a car park:

• Don’t rush: take your time when you’re looking for a spot and parking. Take it especially slow if you’re reversing.
• Watch out for pedestrians and children when parking and reversing. Use your mirrors and your rear camera (if your car has one) to make sure the area is clear.
• Keep an eye out for stationary objects such as poles, bollards, signs and pillars.
• Stick to the car park speed limit signage, and obey the directional arrows.
• Try to avoid going shopping when it’s extremely busy. If there’s a lot of other people fighting for a car space, it could increase your chances of being involved in an accident. 

What are the worst locations for car park collisions in Australia?

Youi has conducted an analysis of car insurance claims that we’ve received from our customers across Australia since 2008, to reveal which suburb has the highest rate of car park incidents. 

At the top of our list is…(drumroll!) the South Australian suburb of Firle, where from 2008-2023, 40% of all Youi car insurance claims were for car park accidents.² 

Here’s a list of the top 20 Australian suburbs with the highest rates of car park accidents:²

Who is at fault in a car park accident in Australia?

Determining who is at fault in car park accidents depends on the situation. Drivers have a responsibility to obey the speed limits, as well as any other signage and instructions (such as directional arrows) inside the car park. In other circumstances, the fault may lie with pedestrians or passengers. 

If you’ve been involved in a car park crash, there are a number of things you can do to gather evidence, which can later be used to prove who was at fault.³ 

What should you do if you’re involved in a car park crash?

The first thing you need to do if you’ve been involved in a car park accident is to make sure that everyone is safe. If you or anyone else has been injured, call 000 immediately. You might also need to request police assistance if there’s been significant damage to vehicles or property.

Once you’ve made sure everyone is safe, here are some useful steps you can take:

1. Make a note of the registration details of any other vehicles that were involved, and exchange contact details and insurance information with the other parties. 
2. Write down the time of the accident, and the date.
3. Try to get the names and addresses of any witnesses.
4. Use your phone to take photos of the scene and any damage.
5. Contact your insurance company. They can give you advice about towing (if needed) and repairs.

If you’re insured with Youi, you can start a claim online.

For more information about keeping your car covered for car park accidents, take a look at our Comprehensive car insurance, or start a quote to find coverage options that are appropriate for your situation.

Please note: this information is not intended to be personal advice and it's important that you consult your specific car insurance policy and relevant Product Disclosure Statement to confirm what your insurance will cover. 

Disclaimers
¹ Source: NSW Government, Driving too fast.
² Based on Youi internal data, 22 September 2008 to 20 March 2023
³ Source: NSW Government, Evidence about fault.