What Is the Most Common Cause of a Backover Accident?

Backover incidents are some of the most tragic types of vehicle accidents. These incidents often occur when a driver begins to back up and then strikes a person they did not see. The worst part of backup accidents is that they often have the most vulnerable victims; children and the elderly. Victims of backover accidents can get severe injuries, and in some cases, fatal injuries occur. The most common cause of backover accidents is limited visibility, like blind spots, but there are almost always other contributing factors. Backover accident attorneys know that the best way of preventing backover accidents is to understand how and why they occur and then give people more awareness on how to prevent them.

#1 Cause of Backover Accidents - Blind Spots and Limited Visibility

Backover accident statistics show that the most common cause of this type of car accident is limited visibility behind the vehicle. This is known as a blind spot or blind zone. These make it more difficult for the driver to see potential accident victims, and larger vehicles, like SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans have larger blind zones. Even if a driver looks in their mirrors, checks rearview cameras, and moves slowly, backover crashes still may occur.

What Makes Blind Spots So Dangerous?

Blind zones aren't a one size fit all area, which makes it difficult to avoid backup accidents. Larger vehicles have larger blind spots, and sometimes it can extend over 20 feet behind the rear bumper. This makes it very possible for small child to not be noticed by a driver. Even with sensors and rearview cameras, it's possible to miss a child or others who are behind the vehicle.

Some of the most common locations where backover accidents occur include driveways, parking lots, and construction sites.

Who is the Most at Risk of Life Altering Injuries from Backover Incidents

Backover incidents can affect anyone, but some people are at higher risk and more frequently involved in these accidents.

Young Children are Often Accident Victims

The most common victims of backover accidents are young children under the age of 5. According to statistics, more than 50 children get hit in backover accidents every week in the US. In most cases, these kids are playing on or near a driveway, and the driver hits them because they are hidden in the blind zone due to their smaller size.

Elderly People are Often Injured

Older adults move slowly, have reduced hearing or vision, and they may not be able to respond quickly if they notice a vehicle coming at them. This is why they are often victims of these accidents, too.

Workers Often Get Hit on Construction Sites

There are also a lot of statistics that show workers on construction sites are often victims of backover incidents. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dozens of construction workers are killed each year on sites due to backover accidents. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been working with construction site managers to prevent accidents from moving vehicles, especially dump trucks.

Pedestrians and Bicyclists

Finally, pedestrians and bicyclists are common victims of these accidents. Pedestrians often walk behind a reversing vehicle without noticing, and unless there are backup alarms or other signals the car is reversing, injuries can occur.

Other Common Causes of Backover Accidents

Though poor visibility is the main cause of backover accidents, there are other factors that should be considered, too.

Distracted Driving

Driver negligence due to distracted driving is a very common cause of these types of accidents. Those motorists who are checking their cell phones, adjusting the radio, or focused on other things lead to a heightened risk of accidents.

Reversing Quickly from the Parking Space

Some of these incidents occur because the driver pulls out of the parking spot too quickly, they don't check blind spots, and they don't have a clear view of the area behind the car.

Failure to Use Sensors or Backup Cameras

Most modern vehicles are equipped with safety features like backup alarms, cameras, or sensors. However, this should never affect driver responsibility. If a driver ignores these, or they don't have them at all, it is more likely that an accident will occur.

Environmental Factors

Several factors come into play in regard to environmental hazards. Low light conditions, rain, snow, or other conditions that affect the driver's path of sight can lead to an accident. Driving in certain areas might also cause these accidents to happen, such as in a small parking garage.

Not Supervising Children

Since children are the most common victims of these incidents it is up to parents to protect and make sure that their kids are supervised when outdoors near a car. It only takes a minute for a child to get run over.

Legal Liability in Missouri

In Missouri, if a person becomes a victim in any car accident, they are able to seek compensation by filing a personal injury claim against the driver or property owner. However, both the victim and the driver may carry some of the fault in the incident.

Missouri's Comparative Fault System

A comparative fault system is a way to split fault in an accident. Even if the victim is found partially at fault, such as if they were not paying attention, they can still get compensation for medical bills and other expenses.

For example, if the victim has suffered injuries like broken bones from the accident, and they have hospital bills that are piling up, but they were walking and texting, or staring at the ground and not paying attention to their surroundings, they could be found partially at fault. If, for instance, the victim is found to be 10% at fault, and they are awarded $100,000, they would receive $90,000.

This comes into play a lot in Missouri, which is why it's important for victims to reach out to a personal injury lawyer and understand their legal options. They also have insight on how many people are involved in a backover accident each year.

What to Do When a Backover Accident Occurs

Those involved in a backover accident should immediately seek medical help. Someone should call 911 and everyone involved should stay on the scene, including witnesses. Once medical assistance arrives, and the victim is stable, if possible, it's important to gather evidence and be aware of anything that can help a personal injury case.

The police on the scene will create an accident report and gather information from witnesses, the driver, and the victim. This will help to determine who is liable. If an insurance adjuster is on the scene, or they reach out soon after the accident, it's best to not speak to them without a car accident lawyer.

Damages a Victim May Be Entitled To

Victims of backover accidents may be able to recover compensation for several things including:

• Medical expenses (current and future)

• Lost wages

• Pain and suffering

• Disability or disfigurement

• Emotional trauma

• Funeral and burial expenses (in fatalities)

These damages can make a significant difference in helping a family recover and move forward after a tragedy like this.

Schedule a Meeting with a Personal Injury Law Firm

So, what is the most common cause of a backover accident? The answer is clear: poor rear visibility, especially when drivers are operating larger vehicles or fail to take proper precautions. But distractions, poor lighting, pedal confusion, and lack of child supervision can also play a role.

Victims who have been affected by a backover accident in St. Louis or anywhere in Missouri, don't have to face this alone. A strong legal team can help victims understand their options, pursue justice, and recover the compensation they deserve.

Contact the St. Louis personal injury attorneys from Powell Law Firm, today, for a free consultation.