According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 210 people die yearly, and 225 are injured in backover accidents. While these accidents can happen to anyone, they are especially likely to occur with drivers backing up their vehicles for the first time. If you are one of these drivers, or if you have a loved one who is, it is vital to be aware of the risks and take steps to prevent backover accidents. Here are four ways to do just that.
What is a backover accident?
A backover accident is when a person or object is hit by a car or truck that is reversing. This type of accident often happens in parking lots and driveways and can result in serious injuries or death.
What are the types of backover accidents?
There are two common types of backover accidents: a car in reverse striking a person or other object and stopping at or near the point of impact, and the vehicle traveling in reverse continuing to move past the point of impact, potentially knocking a pedestrian to the ground and rolling over them. The first type of accident often prevents severe injuries from occurring, while the second type of accident is hazardous and can cause severe injuries or even death.
If you are backing up your car, it is vital to be aware of your surroundings and be careful not to strike anyone or anything. If you are in a backover accident, staying calm and calling for a backover accident attorney is essential.
Why do backover accidents happen?
Backover accidents happen because drivers often do not see workers standing in their blind spot, or they may assume that their vehicle’s path of travel is clear. And pedestrians might not hear a car back up over surrounding noise or be focused on doing their tasks.
How to prevent backover accidents?
Look behind your vehicle before getting in: This is the first and most important step you can take to prevent a backing-up accident. It only takes a few seconds to do, but it could save a life.
Always back up as slowly and carefully as possible: If you are in a hurry, it can be tempting to back up quickly. But this increases the chances of an accident happening.
Ensure children are in full view and not behind the vehicle: Children are often curious and may want to see what is happening behind the car. But this is extremely dangerous. If they are not in your line of sight, they could be hit by the vehicle.
Teach children not to stand or play behind vehicles under any circumstance: It is essential to instill this rule in children at a young age. They must understand that standing or playing behind a car is never safe.
Become aware of your vehicle’s blind spot: Every car has blind spots, and it’s essential to be mindful of them. Before backing up, take a moment to check your mirrors and look over your shoulder to make sure there is no one in your blind spot.
Ensure the landscaping around your driveway is appropriately trimmed: Overgrown bushes and trees can block your view, making it more challenging to see people or objects behind your vehicle. Keep the area around your driveway clear to help improve visibility.
What are the dangers of backover accidents?
The dangers of backover accidents are that they can result in severe injury or death. Children are especially susceptible to damage, as are pedestrians who may be near the reversing vehicle. Drivers are responsible for checking mirrors and ensuring the road is clear before backing up. Driveways are another common area of backover accidents. Even though these crashes take place at low speeds, severe damage can occur.
Although these tips are by no means an exhaustive list, they provide a great starting point to help drivers stay safe on the road. Backover accidents can be tragic and preventable, so please remember these tips the next time you are behind the wheel.