Car Accidents While Backing Out
Over 60,000 accidents and 500 fatalities happen annually in garages and parking lots. Both cars and trucks have numerous blind spots that make pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles invisible to drivers that fail to check their surroundings before proceeding to reverse.
Backover Accidents
Backover accidents happen when a vehicle is reversing and hits a nonoccupant, which can include other cars, cyclists, motorcyclists or pedestrians.
Most crashes while backing up involve larger vehicles such as cargo vans, pickup trucks and SUVs. All of these have fairly big blind spots, or zones behind the vehicles which drivers are unable to see. When first learning to drive, properly checking surrounding areas is a fundamental concern; however, drivers often forget to do so when they become more experienced. In other instances, drivers may be in a hurry and start reversing before properly checking all of the blind spots and surrounding areas.
Reports from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that there are roughly 18,000 backover accidents annually, with 3,000 of those resulting in severe injuries. Small children are especially at risk of not being noticed by drivers backing up.
Backover accidents often result in severe injuries or death to victims, particularly in cases where the victim stuck was an unprotected pedestrian or cyclist. When drivers fail to properly view all of their surroundings before reversing, this constitutes negligence. Thus, the driver can be held liable for all resulting injuries and damages.
Avoiding Backing up Accidents
Accidents when backing out or reversing are especially widespread in parking lots, garages and residential areas, where pedestrians are commonly walking around the back of vehicles. Backing out crashes are usually easily preventable.
Simple ways to prevent backing out vehicle accidents include:
- Drivers using caution: Drivers must take the time to properly inspect their surroundings, check their mirrors, and all blind spots before reversing. Additionally, drivers should begin by backing up slowly, which gives anyone nearby more time to react.
- Pedestrians should be aware of their surroundings: When walking around pedestrians should always be on the lookout for vehicles. It is important for pedestrians to pay attention and put their smartphones and other electronics away. In cases where a vehicle is reversing, even if you have the right-of-way, it is always better to be safe and assume that driver does not see you.
- Parents must properly educate their young children: Young children are especially at risk of suffering serious injuries in a backing out crash, due to their small stature. Parents should tell their children not to play around or behind vehicles, even when they are parked. Additionally, parents should carry their small children or at the very least hold their hands while walking through busy parking lots.
- Maintain safe playing areas: Children should never play around vehicles that could be readily backed up. Parents should ensure that they are aware of their children’s locations and make certain that no toys are left around vehicles.
- When possible install driver assistance technologies: While newer vehicles have backup sensors and rear view cameras, drivers should utilize these safety features to adequately check their surroundings and prevent any crashes.
Let Us Help You Today
Our personal injury lawyers have over 100 years of combined legal experience and have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts on behalf of our clients.
We realize that being injured in a backing out accident can be an overwhelming experience, but you do not have to go through it alone. Our personal injury attorneys are here to assist you.
If you or a loved one were injured in a backing out accident in Florida, call Roman & Roman today at 877-767-1032 or contact us online for a free consultation. We serve those injured in Clearwater, Hudson, and Tampa.
Resource:
ehstoday.com/safety/black-friday-alert-driving-through-parking-lot-still-driving
https://www.romanromanlaw.com/why-you-should-not-handle-an-automobile-accident-claim-alone/