Backover accidents occur when a driver backs over a person, object or another vehicle. They may not be able to see what’s behind them. While deaths due to backover injuries are relatively rare, 25 children under the age of 14 were killed by backover accidents in 2019 alone. Backover accidents can cause terrible tragedies—but they’re often preventable.
Who is most likely to be injured in a backover accident?
Typically, children and elderly people are the most likely to be caught in a backover accident. Children are most at risk, since they’re small: drivers may not see them standing, walking or playing behind the vehicle, and assume the coast is clear.
Elderly people are at risk, particularly if they’re in wheelchairs or scooters. Elderly pedestrians may not be able to move out of the way in time. If they suffer from diminished senses, such as sight or hearing, they may not realize a vehicle is backing up.
Preventing backover accidents
Both drivers and pedestrians can prevent backover accidents. First, it’s crucial that parents and guardians make sure children never play behind parked cars. (teaching children to avoid playing around vehicles in general is a good idea.) Teach your children to give cars a wide berth, and hold onto an adult’s hand when crossing the street or walking through parking lots.
Drivers can also prevent backover accidents by following these simple tips:
- Look and listen: Before you get in your car, walk around it and look underneath to make sure no one is behind or underneath the vehicle. If there are children nearby, be especially cautious. Make sure that all of them are visible when you start to back out.
- Don’t rely on cameras and sensors alone: Although modern vehicles often include backup cameras and sensors, which can help prevent accidents, don’t assume they’ll do all the heavy lifting. Turn your radio off, roll down the windows and look carefully before reversing.
- Be prepared to stop quickly: When you’re backing up, assume you may need to stop quickly. Reverse slowly, while looking and listening, to make sure the coast is clear.
Unfortunately, these accidents can happen to anyone. Staying vigilant and teaching children to stay away from vehicles can help avoid tragedy. If you or a loved one have been involved in a backover accident, call the Law Offices of Tim Misny for assistance today.
Call an Ohio car accident attorney today
The Law Offices of Tim Misny can help you with your backover car accident claim. If you or a loved one were injured due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness, I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call my office at (800) 556-4769 so that I can evaluate your case right away.
