What are Backover Accidents and How Bad Are They?

• Dan T. Matrafajlo
• Fri May 2017
• Auto Accident,
• 0

Like most motor vehicle crashes, backover accidents can result in serious injuries. Unfortunately, the force of a car or truck could even mean a fatality. In case you’re uncertain of the terminology,a backover accident occurs when a driver is in reverse and strikes someone.

How does this type of accident happen? It may be that a child ran after a ball at the same time the driver was backing out a driveway. In some cases, someone riding a bicycle could be in the motor vehicle operator’s blind spot. For the most part, backover accidents happen at a slower than usual speed. Notwithstanding, the resultant crash can be devastating.

Backover Accident Statistics

For starters, let’s review some facts about where backover accidents occur. Most of us have heard the unfortunate tale of the parent pulling out of the driveway on the way to work. Unfortunately, it could be as simple as the child running out to give a kiss goodbye and running behind the vehicle. Good intentions that sadly lead to tragic events.

A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers some disturbing information regarding backover accidents:

• Children under the age of 14 are the most likely to be injured in backover accidents
• Forty percent of backover accidents occurred in driveways or parking lots
• The majority of backover crash victims were pedestrians, rather than cyclists
• More than half of the victims suffered minor injuries

Here’s another factor for consideration. It’s not just passenger vehicles that can be involved in an accident when going in reverse. Unfortunately, the size of a truck can cause even more catastrophic injuries.

Trucks and Backover Accidents

There’s no question that the size and weight of a big rig are reasons for concern.Meanwhile, there is also an issue of visibility. In some cases, it is nearly impossible for a tractor trailer driver to see what’s behind the end of the truck.

Be that as it may, trucks are often in a position when they need to reverse after dropping off cargo. Notwithstanding, there is also the problem of construction vehicles. The prospective problem is so bad that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration offers specific tips for operating vehicles in work areas.

In the case of construction sites, one of the issues may actually be related to noise. For the most part, trucks are equipped with back-up alarms. However, if they are not audible, this may pose an issue. Nevertheless, the onus is on the driver to ensure that no one is behind the vehicle. Again, there are definite blind spots that make this difficult.

Contact Us

The Law Offices of Beninato & Matrafaljo has decades of experience handling motor vehicle accidents. If you or a loved one has suffered personal injury, we would be pleased to provide you with legal advice. Contact our office to schedule an appointment.