Backover car accidents are just what the name suggests; it is an accident where the driver backs the car over someone.
These accidents are more common than you may think, and according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are 228 deaths in addition to the 17,000 injuries that occur each year from such accidents. The NHTSA also states that about 44 percent of the victims are children under five and a third of victims are above the age of seventy.
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety states that backover accidents are more likely to involve SUVs and pickup trucks than smaller passenger cars. Tips for preventing these accidents include:
Check around your vehicle before you get in – Whether you are parked on the street, in your driveway, or in a parking lot, always look around and under your vehicle before moving it.
Be prepared to stop – Always back out slowly with complete control over the car.
Listen – Roll down the windows and keep the radio off so you can hear what’s going on around you as you back up.
Prevention Tips for Children
Every week in the United States, approximately fifty children are backed over and need emergency medical treatment. Unfortunately, two children die each week from their injuries. In an effort to prevent backover accidents, parents should teach their children to:
- Not play around cars
- Move away from a vehicle when the driver gets in
- Keep their toys/bikes off of the driveway
- Stand to the side of the sidewalk or driveway so drivers can see them as they back out of the driveway
If you or your child sustained injuries in a backover car accident, please contact us.