AFTER STARTING MY CAR IN A SMALL PARKING LOT, I SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND I PRESSED GENTLY ON THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR LURCHED BACKWARD AND KEPT ACCELERATING EVEN THOUGH I APPLIED THE BRAKES. AFTER IT HAD SMASHED INTO THE PARKING LOT CURB, SHRUBS AND CARS PARKED 20 TO 30 FEET BEHIND ME, IT FINALLY STOPPED. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHEN AND MY CAR CONTACTED THE FIRST FIXED OBJECT. FORTUNATELY, THE OTHER CARS WERE EMPTY SO I WAS THE ONLY ONE INJURED. MY CAR AND TWO OTHERS SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. TWO OTHER CARS WERE DAMAGED SLIGHTLY.