What Is the Most Common Age for Backover Accident Victims?

Backover accidents are some of the most tragic types of vehicle-related accidents. They often happen in places where drivers feel generally at ease, such as in a driveway or parking lots.

A backover accident occurs when a car backs up and strikes a person behind it. Though anyone can be the victim of a backover crash, they are so tragic because most of the victims are young children, and some will lose their lives.

They are short, they aren't fully aware of their surroundings, and tragically, drivers may not see them. Understanding what the most common age is for backover accidents, why these accidents occur, and learning more about prevention can help keep people, especially children, safer.

For victims of backover accidents, personal injury cases can help ease the burden and personal injury lawyers should be involved following a car accident, especially if wrongful death or serious injuries have occurred. They can also assist with information on how to avoid a backing accident.

Understanding Backover Crashes

A backover accident usually happens when a driver is backing up the car and doesn't see that there is a person behind them. This is usually because the person is in the driver's blind zone, which is located directly behind the car. Here are some of the most common places backover accidents occur:

• In driveways

• In parking lots/parking spaces

• During school pickup or drop offs

• Near parks, daycare centers, or other places where children gather

While many new cars have features like sensors and backup cameras, which are safety measures people take, none of these tools are foolproof, and they don't totally eliminate the risk of tragic accidents. Drivers cannot solely rely on these, especially when small children might be too short to see or out of the camera's view.

Children are the Most Common Victims of This Type of Car Accident

Data from the U.S. Department of Transportation and organizations, show that that backover injuries most often happen to children under 5-years old, with the most predominant age of 1-year old.

Why are young children and toddlers the most common victims of backover incidents? Here are some of the main reasons:

• They are small and not easy to see -- even in larger vehicles, like an SUV, minivan, or pickup truck with backup cams, a child can easily find themselves in a blind zone.

• They don't understand the dangers of vehicles -- young children might not realize a car is backing up or see a vehicle moving.

• They don't understand property lines or boundaries.

• They move in unpredictable ways -- in a blink of an eye, a child can dart behind a vehicle, and a driver doing everything right, from checking the rearview mirror to checking the backup camera, can still hit the child.

• They are often near family vehicles -- since most of the backover accidents involving children happen at home, they don't necessarily recognize boundaries to keep themselves safe. Unfortunately, most of the drivers behind the wheel know the children, and are the child's parent, relative, or neighbor.

Statistics About Backover Accidents and Children

Though we don't always hear about these types of accidents, they are surprisingly common, and children die. Here are some statistics:

• Approximately 50 children are backed over in the US every week.

• The US Department of Transportation reports more than 200 people a year are killed by backover accidents, and thousands more are injured.

• 70% of backover accidents involved children involve a parent or close relative as the driver.

• Larger vehicles are involved in the majority of these accidents due to large blind spots.

• A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study reports over 2400 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms every year due a child being struck by or rolled over by vehicles

Though children are the most at-risk group for backover accident victims, elderly adults are also commonly involved as victims. They move slowly, and they might not be noticed by drivers. The other consideration about elderly victims is that they may not have the same level of awareness that they used to have, and if they get injured, they take longer to recover.

Why are Backover Accidents So Dangerous?

In general, backover accidents happen at low speeds. This might make it seem like they aren't as dangerous as a high speed crash, but they are often still deadly, especially when these incidents involve children. The reason they are so dangerous is due to the size and weight of vehicles.

Here are some of the main reasons these accidents happen:

• Driver distractions, such as a cell phone or radio

• Limited visibility or large blind spots (common in a truck, van, or other larger vehicles)

• Rushing to pull away from their parking spot

• Avoiding another obstacle and driving on an unfamiliar path

• Children unsupervised and playing outside of the house in driveways or sidewalks

• Failure to check surroundings for people in the driveway or pedestrians

Even when a vehicle has a rearview camera, studies show that many drivers don't use them correctly, and even if they do, factors like bad weather or low light can sadly affect visibility out of the windows or cameras, no matter what type of technology the car has in place. These systems are wonderful to have, but they might not always work as they are intended, and collisions still occur. For more information, a vehicle accident lawyer in St Louis may be able to help.

The Emotional and Psychological Effects of Backover Accidents

One of the worst things about backover accidents is that many are totally preventable, and the aftermath can last a lifetime.

In most of the cases where a child fatality occurred, the driver was a parent or relative. The affects of this not only weighs heavily on the loved one who was driving the car, but it also affects the rest of the family. It's an almost impossible weight to bear.

Generally, these are known as "non-traffic" accidents because they don't occur on public roads, but they are just as devastating for families.

Preventing Backover Accidents - Safety Tips

Preventing backover accidents is one of the best ways to avoid them. Here are some tips that every driver, especially those who have children at home, should follow:

Walk Around the Vehicle Before Reversing

One way a driver can take more responsibility is to make sure they walk around the car every time before backing up.

Check Mirrors and Backup Cameras

Drivers who have cars equipped with backup cameras should use them correctly. They should also always check mirrors and look behind the car before backing out.

Know Where Blind Spots Are

Every vehicle has blind spots where children and other objects might not be visible. The larger the car, the bigger the blind zone.

Supervise Children and Create Rules

Children shouldn't be allowed to play in a driveway or behind a vehicle that is parked. Parents and others should make sure they know where children are before backing out.

Teach Children About Safety Around Cars

Kids should be taught about the dangers of vehicles and given rules, such as no standing behind a parked car, or not playing in the driveway.

Install More Safety Equipment

If a vehicle doesn't already have one, it's a good idea to install a rear sensor or backup camera.

Back into a Parking Space, If Possible

It's also a good idea for drivers to back into a parking spot, if possible. This way, they can avoid backover accidents involving anyone, including children, bicyclists, the elderly, or pedestrians.

What to Do if a Backover Accident Happens

The first thing to do if a backover accident happens is to call 911. The first priority is to make sure that the victim gets medical attention as soon as possible.

No one should leave the scene, and if they do, it could be against the law, especially if they might be at fault. Everyone should fully cooperate with emergency responders.

There is no reason at this point to be concerned about who holds liability or what legal rights are. Instead, focus on the victim and gathering information about what happened.

It is also a good idea to take photos or videos of the accident scene, and gather witness statements.

Following the accident, and after the victim is being taken care of by medical personnel, the victim or their family can contact an attorney to learn more about their legal options.

Contact Powell Law Firm for a Free Consultation

For victims of backover accidents or their families, working with Powell Law Firm to enquire about legal rights is always a good idea. Powell Law Firm can help families seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. They can also explain how many people are involved in a backover accident each year.

Clients of this firm can get a free consultation to find out if they have a case, and learn how to protect their rights following a tragic accident. The firm has a reputation of excellence in personal injury cases, including backover accidents.