The day after Thanksgiving marks the start of Oregon’s busiest shopping weekend — and one of its most accident-prone. Black Friday crowds flood into retail centers from Portland to Gresham, Clackamas, Troutdale, and Happy Valley, creating packed parking lots, slippery entryways, and heightened stress for drivers and shoppers alike. Amid the excitement, safety often takes a backseat.
At Peterson Law Offices, we’ve represented injury victims across Oregon and Washington for over three decades. Every year, we see a sharp rise in parking lot accidents, pedestrian injuries, and store-related falls around the holidays. Understanding how fault is determined in these chaotic environments — and how to protect your rights — is essential for anyone injured during the shopping rush.
Why Black Friday Brings More Accidents
Parking lots are among the most common sites for car accidents in November. With hundreds of vehicles entering and exiting at once, visibility drops, tempers rise, and distractions multiply. Add rain-slicked pavement and dark early evenings, and the conditions are ripe for collisions.
Typical accident scenarios include:
- Backing accidents: Drivers pulling out of parking spaces without checking for pedestrians or oncoming vehicles.
- Pedestrian impacts: Shoppers walking between rows of cars, often while carrying bags or using phones.
- Low-speed collisions: Fender-benders that still cause serious whiplash or soft tissue injuries.
- In-store slip and falls: Spilled drinks, tracked-in rainwater, and dropped merchandise near entrances.
While many assume parking lot crashes are minor, they can cause significant injuries — particularly to pedestrians or elderly shoppers.
Determining Fault in Parking Lot Collisions
Oregon law treats parking lots as private property, meaning standard traffic laws don’t always apply in the same way as public roads. However, all drivers still owe one another a duty of care to operate safely. Fault is generally determined by showing that one party failed to act reasonably — for example, by speeding through aisles, ignoring stop signs, or reversing without looking.
Insurance companies often try to label these incidents as “50/50 fault,” but that isn’t always accurate. A skilled Portland personal injury lawyer can investigate by reviewing:
- Surveillance footage from store cameras
- Witness statements from other shoppers
- Vehicle damage patterns and police reports
- Lighting and visibility conditions at the scene
This evidence can make a decisive difference in proving liability and securing fair compensation.
Slip and Fall Injuries Inside Stores
Rainy November weather brings another hazard — slick floors at store entrances. Under Oregon law, businesses must take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable dangers, including placing mats, maintaining dry entryways, and promptly cleaning spills.
If you slip on water, debris, or merchandise inside a store, the property owner may be held liable for negligence if they knew (or should have known) about the hazard. Even minor falls can cause lasting injuries such as fractures, concussions, or back pain.
At Peterson Law Offices, we handle these premises liability cases by gathering cleaning records, surveillance video, and witness statements to show when and how the business failed in its duty of care.
Pedestrian Safety in Crowded Parking Lots
Pedestrian injuries spike dramatically on Black Friday weekend. Drivers often focus on finding parking spots instead of watching for people walking between vehicles. In many cases, pedestrians have the right-of-way, but drivers turning into aisles or backing out of spaces may fail to yield.
Common pedestrian-related accident causes include:
- Distracted driving: Texting or adjusting GPS systems while moving through parking lanes.
- Obstructed sightlines: Larger vehicles blocking smaller pedestrians or children from view.
- Speeding: Even 10 mph can cause severe injury in low-visibility areas.
If you’re hit as a pedestrian, your claim may involve both your auto insurance’s personal injury protection (PIP) coverage and the driver’s liability insurance. An attorney can help coordinate benefits and ensure that medical expenses are properly covered.
How Comparative Negligence Applies
Oregon follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning that if both parties share some responsibility for the accident, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you were walking while looking at your phone and a driver was speeding through the lot, fault might be shared — but you may still recover damages if your share is less than 50%. Peterson Law Offices evaluates every case carefully to protect clients from unfair blame-shifting by insurance companies.
Injuries That Often Follow Holiday Shopping Accidents
Holiday weekend accidents can cause injuries that last long after the decorations are packed away. Common examples include:
- Whiplash or neck pain from low-speed collisions
- Broken bones and sprains from falls
- Traumatic brain injuries (even from short falls)
- Back injuries and chronic pain
- Psychological trauma or anxiety following severe accidents
Even if you feel fine immediately after the incident, some injuries take hours or days to show symptoms. Always seek medical attention and document your condition for your claim.
What to Do If You’re Injured on Black Friday
If you’re injured in a store or parking lot accident, follow these steps immediately:
- Report the accident to store management or security.
- Take photos of the scene, including lighting, wet surfaces, and crowd conditions.
- Collect witness information and request a copy of any incident report.
- Seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
- Contact a personal injury attorney before speaking to insurance adjusters.
Our firm has handled countless injury cases tied to holiday shopping events, helping clients recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Why Choose Peterson Law Offices
Since 1991, Peterson Law Offices has been a trusted advocate for Oregon injury victims. With decades of experience handling car accidents, slip and fall claims, and pedestrian injuries, we understand the complexities of holiday-season cases and the tactics insurers use to delay or deny valid claims.
Read real stories from past clients in our testimonials, or reach out through our contact page. You can also visit our office to discuss your case in person.
Stay Safe and Informed This Holiday Season
Whether you’re shopping in Clackamas Town Center, Downtown Portland, or Troutdale’s outlet stores, stay alert, slow down, and know your rights. If an injury happens, don’t face it alone. Contact Peterson Law Offices — Oregon’s experienced advocates for accident victims — to ensure your case is handled with care, professionalism, and proven results.
